What training does a plastic surgeon complete?

A plastic surgeon's training has fixed stages, and each one is a question you can put to a surgeon directly.

The direct answer

Cleveland Clinic describes the path in two steps. Plastic surgery training starts with traditional medical school to earn a doctor of medicine degree (MD).

After medical school, doctors complete a six-year plastic surgery residency.

Where to confirm it

Training is a before-choosing question, so confirm it before you book a consultation. The American Board of Plastic Surgery page from the American Board of Medical Specialties is one place to look. The American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery runs a separate board with its own home page.

For patient-facing reading, the American College of Surgeons page for patients and family and the NHS guidance on choosing who will do your cosmetic procedure sit alongside the board pages.

What would change your answer

If a surgeon cannot describe the path above in plain terms, treat that as the change that alters your decision. A clear account of medical school and residency should come easily. A vague one is a reason to keep looking.

The question that usually follows

Training tells you what a surgeon completed. The question that follows is what to ask in the consultation itself, and how to judge the answers you get.