Plastic surgery
Plastic surgery is really an art, and the body is the medium to work with. It involves a lot of creativity and technology. The work result is highly visible, leading to a high degree of career and personal satisfaction.
What’s this career about?: Contrary to popular belief, a plastic surgeon does much more than simple tummy tucks, and facelifts. Plastic surgery can be divided into two specialties: Cosmetic (or Aesthetic) Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery. Cosmetic Surgery is intended to improve the appearance of a person. Though relatively a small part of the specialty, it is probably the most visible and perhaps the most glamorous aspect of plastic surgery. Surgeons use a variety of equipment ranging from simple forceps and scissors to most sophisticated microprocessor-controlled lasers, which can resurface and tighten the skin, remove hair, and eliminate tiny “spider” veins on the legs and face.
Reconstructive Surgery repairs or replaces body parts damaged by accidents, illness or malformation. It is intended to improve function and mobility and to restore a patient’s appearance. These surgeons use craniofacial surgery, hand surgery, microsurgery, skin grafting, tissue expansion, flap surgery and other techniques to repair injuries.
Prior to treatment, surgeons hold consultation with patients to assess a patient’s needs, review medical histories and pre-existing conditions, and discuss surgical risks. Frank and thorough assessments help plastic Plastic surgeons choose treatment plans that best suit their patients.
Recording a patient’s medical history and updating their records with any services performed is another key responsibility. These are sensitive documents, so plastic surgeons must abide by any record-keeping policies or regulations to protect patient confidentially. surgeons don’t specialize in a disease like cancer doctors do, nor do they specialize in a part of the body like heart surgeons do. They work all over the body on all kinds of diseases and frequently with other physicians in a multi-disciplinary group.
How do I get there?: Plastic surgeons are medical doctors trained in patient interactions, trauma care and basic surgery techniques, as well as specialized areas, such as tissue transfer, body contouring and laser surgery.
To become a plastic surgeon, one should first go for MBBS, a 5½ years’ course. Eligibility for this is 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Then go for a MS degree in General Surgery. After that you can specialize in plastic surgery by doing 3 years M.Ch./DNB in Plastic Surgery. So it takes about 11-12 years of further study after 10+2.
Do you have these key skills?
* Steady hand and an eye for aesthetics.
* Driven and focused individuals.
* Ability to sustain many years of study and long work hours.
* Good communication skills to explain complex medical terminology and procedures to patients and to provide emotional support.
* Attention to detail and patience is paramount. Good time management and organizational skills.
*Ability to handle stressful situations and remain calm under pressure.
Institutes:
* All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi (aiims.edu)
* Armed Forces Medical College, Pune (afmc.nic.in)
* Christian Medical College, Vellore (cmch-vellore.edu)
* Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai (tnmcnair.com)
* Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai (sriramachandra.edu.in)
* CMC, Ludhiana (cmcludhiana.in)
* Institute for Aesthetic Surgery at Fortis Hospitals, Mumbai (fortishealthcare.com)
* M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore (msrmc.ac.in)
* Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh (pgimer.edu.in)
* Banaras Hindu University, Institute of Medical Sciences, Varanasi (bhu.ac.in/ims)
Pay package:
Being a plastic surgeon is one of the most moneyearning spheres in the field of medicine but the path to becoming a qualified and successful specialist is a long and tough one.
Depending upon the location, specialization, expertise and experience of the plastic surgeon, salary ranges from 1,50,000-2,00,000 per month. Some charge on a per case basis.
Employment profile:
Plastic surgery is still a relatively small specialty, but the number of surgeons has doubled in the last 20 years and it has become an integral part of hospital practice. One can work in any super-specialty hospital or set up one’s own clinic.
The increasing number of accidents and awareness about appearance has resulted in a boom in the demand for plastic surgeons. The aging population is also expected to add to the demand for surgeons for plastic surgery procedures both superficial and invasive.
