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- Nov 24, 2016
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Hey,
If you hang out in the lounge or pre-vet you might know me. I'm posting here because I am hoping to get advice or a reality check.
My story: was a nurse for a couple years and then started medical school for that MD back in 2018 in a mid tier program. Got into a really bad MVC and almost lost my RLE. Plastic surgery played a huge role in salvaging my limb* (they did a thigh flap). Started school again fall 2019 and am a current MS1. The recover hasn't been easy, 6 surgeries over the course of 18 months, but I am persevering. I got to know my plastic surgery team really well while in the hospital and they were eager to teach me about the surgeries I was having because I'm med student as well as their patient.
The whole experience has really put the field on the map for me and I am considering it as an option for the future. To learn more, I recently scheduled some shadowing time with the department in the OR and during clinic. I've got a line on a plastic surgery research project, so that I can get to know the research side of the field too (I enjoy research and would want to continue it as a physician.)
So my questions:
1. When did you know that you wanted to do plastic surgery?
2. I am not a huge fan of gross anatomy. I don't hate it, there are moments where I'm truly like "WOW" but I'm never itching for the scalpel or anything. How is this going to translate in a surgical field? (I know I'll really get a better feel for PS or GenSurg in 3rd/4th year.)
3. How many pubs/posters/presentations/etc. does a typical PS applicant have?
4. A few classmates suggested if I want to be serious about PS I should take a research year off from school, I am super hesitant because I've already delayed my career as a physician by a lot plus the time off from the accident. Is this generally the accepted wisdom?
5. I know the residency is very competitive. What things besides step scores and research make a PS applicant stand out?
I'm open to any and all advice people have.
*yes ortho did too, but bone surgery just doesn't appeal to me.
If you hang out in the lounge or pre-vet you might know me. I'm posting here because I am hoping to get advice or a reality check.
My story: was a nurse for a couple years and then started medical school for that MD back in 2018 in a mid tier program. Got into a really bad MVC and almost lost my RLE. Plastic surgery played a huge role in salvaging my limb* (they did a thigh flap). Started school again fall 2019 and am a current MS1. The recover hasn't been easy, 6 surgeries over the course of 18 months, but I am persevering. I got to know my plastic surgery team really well while in the hospital and they were eager to teach me about the surgeries I was having because I'm med student as well as their patient.
The whole experience has really put the field on the map for me and I am considering it as an option for the future. To learn more, I recently scheduled some shadowing time with the department in the OR and during clinic. I've got a line on a plastic surgery research project, so that I can get to know the research side of the field too (I enjoy research and would want to continue it as a physician.)
So my questions:
1. When did you know that you wanted to do plastic surgery?
2. I am not a huge fan of gross anatomy. I don't hate it, there are moments where I'm truly like "WOW" but I'm never itching for the scalpel or anything. How is this going to translate in a surgical field? (I know I'll really get a better feel for PS or GenSurg in 3rd/4th year.)
3. How many pubs/posters/presentations/etc. does a typical PS applicant have?
4. A few classmates suggested if I want to be serious about PS I should take a research year off from school, I am super hesitant because I've already delayed my career as a physician by a lot plus the time off from the accident. Is this generally the accepted wisdom?
5. I know the residency is very competitive. What things besides step scores and research make a PS applicant stand out?
I'm open to any and all advice people have.
*yes ortho did too, but bone surgery just doesn't appeal to me.