AMA Plastic Surgery Resident

Discover Your Odds of Getting into Medical School
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  • In your POV, what are the pros and cons of doing plastics?
  • What other specialties did you have in mind?
  • Whats 9+10?
  • Typically how long are PRS surgeries?
  • Most memorable surgery so far?
  • Does it piss you off that sometimes EM docs do facial sutures instead of calling plastics?
  • What is your opinion on plastic surgeons who just stick to cosmetics, are they really practicing medicine?
 
Will you ever answer my questions?
Are you really a PRS resident?
Why are you in probation?
 
  • In your POV, what are the pros and cons of doing plastics?
I answered that above. Briefly, pros - a lot of procedural diversity. We operate all over the body. Cons - long hours.
  • What other specialties did you have in mind?
I really liked EM. I would have considered it if plastics wasn't an option. Gen surg was an option, but only for the purposes of fellowship plastics.
  • Whats 9+10?
19
  • Typically how long are PRS surgeries?
There is a huge range of timing. I can do a skin graft in 20 minutes. Carpal tunnels can finish in 10-15 minutes. Some complicated head and neck or lower extremity recons can take a very long time - 10 -16 hours. There is a famous plastic surgeon at U Chicago who does some crazy long genital recons too. Most bread and butter cases take anywhere from 1 hr-4 hrs though. The longest case I've been involved in was a testicular reconstruction, excision of lymphedema. It was ridiculously long because of all the sewing in the crotchular region, which is a very awkward place to sew in.
  • Most memorable surgery so far?
The one where I dropped something very important and my attending had mini melt-down. Note to self, never ever work over open ground. We saved it though!
  • Does it piss you off that sometimes EM docs do facial sutures instead of calling plastics?
No, they are perfectly capable of doing this and there's really no reason to have a turf war over this. I would only call plastics for complex facial and hand lacs.
  • What is your opinion on plastic surgeons who just stick to cosmetics, are they really practicing medicine?
Some people derive significant psychological benefit from this. To each his own.

Will you ever answer my questions?

Yes.

Are you really a PRS resident?

Yes.

Why are you in probation?

Because I'm a lawbreaker.

Fav flap?

ALT is such a workhorse. I love that guy. I also like TUG for breasts.
 
caffeinemia said:
I was not an AOA candidate. I also did not honor medicine or surgery... or any other rotation. I was just too much of a jackass to tow the typical med student subservience without a reason. For example, I didn't stay late to deliver an extra baby because it would get the ObGyn resident to like me more (unless she/he was hot). I did the required amount of work and learning when I wasn't interested and no more. I knew what my exact interests were and could always find better use of my time... which leads me to the following:

I scored above 250 on step I and did a dedicated year of clinical + basic science research, which continued in my clinical years. I had 10+ publications, presentations, etc. My mentors in research wrote excellent letters. PRS, like most subspecialty surgical communities, is very tight knit, and LORs are probably the most important deciding factor at the end of the day IMHO. Attendings call each other and talk about you too!
Click to expand...
Did u feel like your tier/strength of your med school helped tremendously when it came to matching in Plastics to where getting an Honors in clinicals wasn't nearly as imperative, or AOA? Very productive research year obviously helped, but how big of a role do u think your med school played?
 
I think my school definitely got me looked at by some places, where I definitely didn't deserve an interview. Additionally, it really helped me get letters from established academic plastic surgeons and research opportunities in plastics. Plastics is a very small community and strong senior faculty letters go a long way.

AOA is always good and should be a goal. I just have personality deficiencies.
 
How far are you into your residency?

Did you only apply to plastics?

Did you match your first choice?

What would you have done during your off year if you didn't match?

What type of music do you listen to in the OR?

Last show you've watched on Netflix?

Rank 1-4: Blondes, brunettes, black, redheads.
 
How far are you into your residency?

First half and definitely not far enough! Stop trying to find me, I won't go out with you 😛​

Did you only apply to plastics?

No, as I noted above, I was not the typical AOA student that you'd expect in PRS. Since I am also not delusional, I had backup apps. We can talk about this touchy subject if you want​

Did you match your first choice?

Yes! And it was a gamble to rank them first, but I've had a great time here and my coresidents rock!​

What would you have done during your off year if you didn't match?

I was prepared to go into consulting permanently. I'm pretty good at verbal and written communication, and I have a strong research background. This would have been an acceptable and fun alternative career for me. My dean would have flipped a [poop] if I did that though. Hurts their match numbers. I may be a rebel in this respect... But I do not agree that the resident to attending paradigm is the only path for an MD graduate.​

What type of music do you listen to in the OR?

When the music is up to me: RHCP, fun., Parachute, Tove Lo, Third Eye Blind, Justin Timberlake, Maroon Five, MJ, Duke Dumont, Deorro, Biggie (censored), J Cole (censored), Wale (censored), Clean Bandit.​

I'm all ove the place and have pretty stupid tastes in general, but it makes me happy -- so blah!​

Last show you've watched on Netflix?

Recently, I enjoyed Perfume. It's a movie, but first thing I've watched in a while. Otherwise, I'm a huge fan of walking Dead, Helix, and utterly vapid, salacious trash like Vanderpump Rules (that Ariana Madix!) .​

Blondes or brunettes?

Have enjoyed both (I assume this is about attraction and dating?), but perhaps was most smitten by a dirty blonde.​

Dislike your exclusionary attitude towards redheads though. Gingers are people/corporations too! =p​
 
Since Plastics is a smallish field do you recommend doing away rotations? If you did how did you pick the programs?
 
caffeinemia said:
Blondes or brunettes?

Have enjoyed both (I assume this is about attraction and dating?), but perhaps was most smitten by a dirty blonde.​

Dislike your exclusionary attitude towards redheads though. Gingers are people/corporations too! =p​
Click to expand...

I edited my post! Asked you to rank blondes, brunettes, black haired, and redheads 1-4! But your answer will suffice 😛

And nice choice of music 👍
 
soccerman93 said:
Since Plastics is a smallish field do you recommend doing away rotations? If you did how did you pick the programs?
Click to expand...

This a complicated topic. I can say that many applicants, including me, do away rotations. This does not necessarily guarantee an interview at that program. There is the opportunity to impress and an opportunity to really mess up. At the end of the day, Match is poop and sooo random. The operative experience is a lot of fun though and gets you ready for being a plastics intern. PM if you have more questions about specific programs.
 
Last edited:
Wait, how was it a gamble to rank your program first? Were you concerned you wouldn't actually like it? Cuz with the way the match is set up, it doesn't really change anything if you put a reach first (other than 'you might go to that place you really want to go to'), right?
 
caffeinemia said:
It's Saturday morning and I am in the regret phase of the work-drink-regret cycle. So ask away, if you're curious about this small but awesome specialty.
Click to expand...
How has plastics residency treated you and your colleagues? Are many of them married? Could you give a rundown of a typical week for you in terms of sleep/family time/call/etc.?

This thread is much appreciated, so thank you!
 
mehc012 said:
Wait, how was it a gamble to rank your program first? Were you concerned you wouldn't actually like it? Cuz with the way the match is set up, it doesn't really change anything if you put a reach first (other than 'you might go to that place you really want to go to'), right?
Click to expand...

[Someone told me] that he or she put in a good word for me. It was a huge favor to me because the caller knew everyone in the department. So I went with a hunch for an (almost sure?) spot. ;0)
 
gettheleadout said:
How has plastics residency treated you and your colleagues? Are many of them married? Could you give a rundown of a typical week for you in terms of sleep/family time/call/etc.?

This thread is much appreciated, so thank you!
Click to expand...

Some of my colleagues are married, some are not. The program so far has been very good to me. They are very good about letting juniors do crazy cases and some of the attendings teach me so much.

Average weeklyschedule:
M-F = 545AM rounds until cases are done (anywhere from 2pm to 1am).
S-S = 6AM rounds + 1/2 days of floor work every few (depending on seniority) weekends. Usually no cases, unless emergencies.

Conferences are about 2 hours twice a week. It's a rotation of lectures, presentations, grand rounds/visiting professors, m&m, journal club. Random events and conferences and dinners every once in a while.

Calls are generally at home with no day off post call. In other words, if it's a busy night, you're gonna be working hard all night and then the next day.

I have no family, but I do have a lot of time to hang out with friends, chase dates in NYC (which is horrible and expensive). There are at least a couple weekends off a month! So we work hard hard hard, but then there's a lot of life style perks despite that.
 
caffeinemia said:
Some of my colleagues are married, some are not. The program so far has been very good to me. They are very good about letting juniors do crazy cases and some of the attendings teach me so much.

Average weeklyschedule:
M-F = 545AM rounds until cases are done (anywhere from 2pm to 1am).
S-S = 6AM rounds + 1/2 days of floor work every few (depending on seniority) weekends. Usually no cases, unless emergencies.

Conferences are about 2 hours twice a week. It's a rotation of lectures, presentations, grand rounds/visiting professors, m&m, journal club. Random events and conferences and dinners every once in a while.

Calls are generally at home with no day off post call. In other words, if it's a busy night, you're gonna be working hard all night and then the next day.

I have no family, but I do have a lot of time to hang out with friends, chase dates in NYC (which is horrible and expensive). There are at least a couple weekends off a month! So we work hard hard hard, but then there's a lot of life style perks despite that.
Click to expand...
So say you have a busy day, you could be at the hospital from 5:45 am to 1 am, then have your next shift start in ~4 hours and you do that again? What if that next day you have call at night? I guess I'm asking what's the worst case scenario in terms of working sleep deprived.
 
SouthernSurgeon said:
Call was the worst part of our plastics rotations. It's home call, but you're lucky if you're at home. Most nights are spent in the ED dealing with hand and face calls.

(Unless you get one of those glorious glorious weeks where ENT is covering face consults...)
Click to expand...

Yea that was med school plastics rotations for me. Where I am, Ortho wants most of the hand call. YES YES YES! The winter in New York was ridiculous for fractures. But yeah FACE!
 
gettheleadout said:
So say you have a busy day, you could be at the hospital from 5:45 am to 1 am, then have your next shift start in ~4 hours and you do that again? What if that next day you have call at night? I guess I'm asking what's the worst case scenario in terms of working sleep deprived.
Click to expand...

Essentially: "tough luck." But residency is also a family. Usually someone who is well rested will switch calls or cases with you so you can nap a few hours. I run on 4-6 during the week anyway, so it's kinda meh.
 
I was just at my local Italian market for mozzarella. There was a plastic surgeon there with his very annoying wife who kept telling all the guys working behind the counter that her husband was a PLASTIC SURGEON OH MY GOD HOW ILLUSTRIOUS AND IMPRESSIVE...I just wanted my damn cheez and to gtfo of there, we left at the same time and ended up being parked next to each other in identical cars, he had MD plates, I have NYSDA plates, and he had the gall to ask if I was driving my dads car.

Would I have been wrong to throw my cheez at his face? @caffeinemia
 
caffeinemia said:
  • In your POV, what are the pros and cons of doing plastics?
I answered that above. Briefly, pros - a lot of procedural diversity. We operate all over the body. Cons - long hours.
  • What other specialties did you have in mind?
I really liked EM. I would have considered it if plastics wasn't an option. Gen surg was an option, but only for the purposes of fellowship plastics.
  • Whats 9+10?
19
  • Typically how long are PRS surgeries?
There is a huge range of timing. I can do a skin graft in 20 minutes. Carpal tunnels can finish in 10-15 minutes. Some complicated head and neck or lower extremity recons can take a very long time - 10 -16 hours. There is a famous plastic surgeon at U Chicago who does some crazy long genital recons too. Most bread and butter cases take anywhere from 1 hr-4 hrs though. The longest case I've been involved in was a testicular reconstruction, excision of lymphedema. It was ridiculously long because of all the sewing in the crotchular region, which is a very awkward place to sew in.
  • Most memorable surgery so far?
The one where I dropped something very important and my attending had mini melt-down. Note to self, never ever work over open ground. We saved it though!
  • Does it piss you off that sometimes EM docs do facial sutures instead of calling plastics?
No, they are perfectly capable of doing this and there's really no reason to have a turf war over this. I would only call plastics for complex facial and hand lacs.
  • What is your opinion on plastic surgeons who just stick to cosmetics, are they really practicing medicine?
Some people derive significant psychological benefit from this. To each his own.

Will you ever answer my questions?

Yes.

Are you really a PRS resident?

Yes.

Why are you in probation?

Because I'm a lawbreaker.

Fav flap?

ALT is such a workhorse. I love that guy. I also like TUG for breasts.
Click to expand...
Thank you for taking your time to answer my questions.
 
fancymylotus said:
I was just at my local Italian market for mozzarella. There was a plastic surgeon there with his very annoying wife who kept telling all the guys working behind the counter that her husband was a PLASTIC SURGEON OH MY GOD HOW ILLUSTRIOUS AND IMPRESSIVE...I just wanted my damn cheez and to gtfo of there, we left at the same time and ended up being parked next to each other in identical cars, he had MD plates, I have NYSDA plates, and he had the gall to ask if I was driving my dads car.

Would I have been wrong to throw my cheez at his face? @caffeinemia
Click to expand...


Hope the cheese was hot and gave him a couple of first degree burns!
 
caffeinemia said:
I think my school definitely got me looked at by some places, where I definitely didn't deserve an interview. Additionally, it really helped me get letters from established academic plastic surgeons and research opportunities in plastics. Plastics is a very small community and strong senior faculty letters go a long way.

AOA is always good and should be a goal. I just have personality deficiencies.
Click to expand...
Thank you! Not to take anything away from your accomplishments because you obviously were a publishing machine, but after this interview season, I am more convinced than ever that reputation & prestige of your medical school contributes much more to getting interviews than we'd like to admit. It's a cycle between school reputation --> strong, known faculty --> strong research.

Someone who doesn't get Honors clinical grades at a top school will be automatically given the benefit of the doubt, unlike someone at a lower ranked public state school. I was just thinking that with someone at a lower tier school, getting many Honors would almost be expected to go for Plastics, especially Surgery.
 
charmiedermie said:
Thank you! Not to take anything away from your accomplishments because you obviously were a publishing machine, but after this interview season, I am more convinced than ever that reputation & prestige of your medical school contributes much more to getting interviews than we'd like to admit. It's a cycle between school reputation --> strong, known faculty --> strong research.

Someone who doesn't get Honors clinical grades at a top school will be automatically given the benefit of the doubt, unlike someone at a lower ranked public state school. I was just thinking that with someone at a lower tier school, getting many Honors would almost be expected to go for Plastics, especially Surgery.
Click to expand...

The correct order is probably strong, known faculty > strong research > school reputation. That being said, the more "prestigious" the school, the more likely it'll have strong faculty and strong research opportunities.

And like all things in life: who you know can have the most impact on your success.
 
medic86 said:
The correct order is probably strong, known faculty > strong research > school reputation. That being said, the more "prestigious" the school, the more likely it'll have strong faculty and strong research opportunities.

And like all things in life: who you know can have the most impact on your success.
Click to expand...
I meant it more as a circular cycle, with no beginning or end, since as u said, a prestigious school will have strong faculty and research which will just attract stronger faculty in the future coming thru.

Just saying in word of advice to premeds is to just cough up the more money in tuition for the better name, if you want something competitive.
 
charmiedermie said:
Thank you! Not to take anything away from your accomplishments because you obviously were a publishing machine, but after this interview season, I am more convinced than ever that reputation & prestige of your medical school contributes much more to getting interviews than we'd like to admit. It's a cycle between school reputation --> strong, known faculty --> strong research.

Someone who doesn't get Honors clinical grades at a top school will be automatically given the benefit of the doubt, unlike someone at a lower ranked public state school. I was just thinking that with someone at a lower tier school, getting many Honors would almost be expected to go for Plastics, especially Surgery.
Click to expand...

I agree with you on a basic level. I definitely lucked out. That said, I don't want medical students to think that going to a well-known school will automatically get you a spot. At the end of the day, the Match (and life) have an element of gamesmanship. If pick up on the clues quick enough, you can definitely work some connections and advantages to compensate for shortcomings. In my case, I knew the right people to cover for my poor gamesmanship on the clinical rotations. It's like those infomercials: "results may vary."

medic86 said:
And like all things in life: who you know can have the most impact on your success.
Click to expand...

Agree with the last sentiment.

charmiedermie said:
I meant it more as a circular cycle, with no beginning or end, since as u said, a prestigious school will have strong faculty and research which will just attract stronger faculty in the future coming thru.

Just saying in word of advice to premeds is to just cough up the more money in tuition for the better name, if you want something competitive.
Click to expand...

I sympathize with those who do not necessarily have the means to simply pay more for a stronger name. However, I want to erase the common misconception that good schools don't offer good money. In my case, the school I chose was ridiculously expensive but also gave me some good grant money as well.
 
Hah. I win. Now give me your cheez. omnomnom...

... this is way too suggestive for public. yo.
 
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