Shadowing a cosmetic plastic surgeon

[sciencewizard]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi all!

I just wanted to get some people thoughts on this matter. I just started recently shadowing a cosmetic plastic surgeon, and so far it has been very informative. It has also been somewhat intimidating because of the breadth of knowledge about the procedures and protocols of plastic surgery, but I suppose from a pre-med's perspective that's how most of medical practice would look.

My question is though, would you think medical schools would look unfavorably upon shadowing a pure cosmetic plastic surgeon? Seeing how it is for non-medically related issues and more superficial issues?

I do think plastic surgery itself is an amazing field, and I think the reconstructive and cosmetic aspects of it provide wonderful benefits to every patient, both medical and non-medically related. The physician I am shadowing was involved in reconstructive surgery the first half of her career.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[FloatOn]

I think this experience sounds awesome. I used to watch a lot of cosmetic surgery on tv (Dr. 90210 anyone?) and it was just interesting to see what types of procedures people get, how much it costs, their motivations for changing themselves (butt implants, calf implants, testicle implant), and also why the doctor went into plastics. I liked seeing the doctor-patient interaction and having the patient walk away happy and more confident, even if it was a boob job. I don't see a problem with it at all.

 

[mangomadness]

i mean, id think any kind of shadowing is fine. if you can also see yourself going into plastics, then thats an added bonus. just be sure to get volunteering with patient contact somewhere before you apply.
🙂

 

[brooklynblunder]

i think its a cool experience but you could really just put it on your amcas as showing plastic surgeon - date range - and anyother thing you think would be positively looked at

 

[ILikeDrugs]

"Superficial" plastic surgeons also help burn victims as well as people who were born with deformities. Just look at Christian Troy and Sean Macnemera, aside from fixing vaginas and stuffing boobs, they do pro bono work as well. 👍

 

[NickNaylor]

"Superficial" plastic surgeons also help burn victims as well as people who were born with deformities. Just look at Christian Troy and Sean Macnemera, aside from fixing vaginas and stuffing boobs, they do pro bono work as well. 👍

👍

I shadowed a husband and wife plastics team, and while they did do a fair amount of cosmetic surgery, much (if not most) of their practice was focused on treating legitimate illnesses - taking care of scarring, removing cancers, etc.

 

[ElegantWeapon]

I shadowed a plastic surgeon-hasn't hurt my application (I don't think)

 

[familyaerospace]

So far I've only shadowed a plastic surgeon. I think I learned more about medicine in those few hours, heck those two hours just sitting in the lounge, than I ever expected to. I could never see myself in plastic surgery, but he is an excellent mentor.

 

[Moogle Man]

This experience sounds great. The more time you spend in a particular field, the more you can share about your experiences and impressions. I would, however, try to get some experience in non-surgical areas of medicine as well.

 

[JaggerPlate]

... Tell me what you don't like about yourself.

 

[Mackey]

Plastic surgeons bring a very real and very valuable skill set into the healthcare community. Schools will not look down at this at all. On the contrary, plastic surgeons are well respected amongst other surgeons.

The only people I've ever heard talk-down about plastic surgeons are knuckle-head premeds that talk about going to medical school to try and become the second coming and heal africa single-handedly. They usually don't even get into school though so you're safe.

 

[muhali3]

Plastic surgery is the hardest to match into out of all specialties, and the doctors in this field are among the brightest. There's no reason why they'd look down upon shadowing a plastic surgeon, or any other type of doctor.

 

[riverjib]

I spent years working in an ambulatory surgical center, and I spent half my time scrubbing with plastic surgeons. Honestly, it's a fascinating field. One small procedure can really change a person's self-image. An otoplasty (basically pinning back ears that protrude) can make a huge difference to a child who is shy and especially vulnerable to teasing from his peers. An abdominoplasty can transform a woman who has spent countless hours in a gym hopelessly trying to get the flat stomach she had prior to giving birth, and in the case of diastasis recti (in which the rectus abdominis is actually torn), surgical repair is the only option.

Do I think cosmetic procedures are vital to medicine? I really don't know. My cousin refused to let her son have an otoplasty, and he grew up very happy and well-adjusted. He also has asked me for a reference for a plastic surgeon, because he's always wanted to "fix" his ears. If somebody has learned to accept themselves but still feels they would be happier if they could only change that one thing about their physical appearance that always bothered them, then who am I to say that's a bad thing? I guess it's a philosophical argument. I personally saw literally thousands of patients who say that plastic surgery changed their lives for the better.

There are some unscrupulous characters out there who book twelve cases 3-4 days a week and rush through them. They're often brilliant and talented physicians who got greedy, and perform procedures on patients that many of their colleagues would refuse. I've scrubbed in on cases where we performed liposuction, abdominoplasty, and a number of other procedures in a single surgery on a patient who is 300 pounds and really should have lost weight, adopted a healthier lifestyle, and only THEN have the procedure done to remove loose and sagging skin.

Many plastic surgeons did or still do reconstructive work. I work with one on medical missions to South America, where the plastic surgeons involved perform hundreds of free surgeries on patients who were severely burned or deformed in accidents, and countless other types of reconstructive procedures. One of the physicians involved joined the mission when he was still a fourth-year general surgery resident. He did a plastics fellowship, and his experience with the mission compelled him to do a craniofacial fellowship.

As someone else mentioned here, plastic surgeons are some of the best and brightest physicians. They are extremely knowledgeable and can teach you a lot about medicine and surgery.

 

[FloatOn]

I spent years working in an ambulatory surgical center, and I spent half my time scrubbing with plastic surgeons. Honestly, it's a fascinating field. One small procedure can really change a person's self-image. An otoplasty (basically pinning back ears that protrude) can make a huge difference to a child who is shy and especially vulnerable to teasing from his peers. An abdominoplasty can transform a woman who has spent countless hours in a gym hopelessly trying to get the flat stomach she had prior to giving birth, and in the case of diastasis recti (in which the rectus abdominis is actually torn), surgical repair is the only option.

Do I think cosmetic procedures are vital to medicine? I really don't know. My cousin refused to let her son have an otoplasty, and he grew up very happy and well-adjusted. He also has asked me for a reference for a plastic surgeon, because he's always wanted to "fix" his ears. If somebody has learned to accept themselves but still feels they would be happier if they could only change that one thing about their physical appearance that always bothered them, then who am I to say that's a bad thing? I guess it's a philosophical argument. I personally saw literally thousands of patients who say that plastic surgery changed their lives for the better.

There are some unscrupulous characters out there who book twelve cases 3-4 days a week and rush through them. They're often brilliant and talented physicians who got greedy, and perform procedures on patients that many of their colleagues would refuse. I've scrubbed in on cases where we performed liposuction, abdominoplasty, and a number of other procedures in a single surgery on a patient who is 300 pounds and really should have lost weight, adopted a healthier lifestyle, and only THEN have the procedure done to remove loose and sagging skin.

Many plastic surgeons did or still do reconstructive work. I work with one on medical missions to South America, where the plastic surgeons involved perform hundreds of free surgeries on patients who were severely burned or deformed in accidents, and countless other types of reconstructive procedures. One of the physicians involved joined the mission when he was still a fourth-year general surgery resident. He did a plastics fellowship, and his experience with the mission compelled him to do a craniofacial fellowship.

As someone else mentioned here, plastic surgeons are some of the best and brightest physicians. They are extremely knowledgeable and can teach you a lot about medicine and surgery.

👍👍👍 (out of 3)

Plastic (cosmetic) surgery isn't always about big boobs, tummy tucks, facelifts, and nose jobs. That's what often makes for good tv, but people are insecure about different things and that's their personal business if they want to do something about it.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I spent years working in an ambulatory surgical center, and I spent half my time scrubbing with plastic surgeons. Honestly, it's a fascinating field. One small procedure can really change a person's self-image. An otoplasty (basically pinning back ears that protrude) can make a huge difference to a child who is shy and especially vulnerable to teasing from his peers. An abdominoplasty can transform a woman who has spent countless hours in a gym hopelessly trying to get the flat stomach she had prior to giving birth, and in the case of diastasis recti (in which the rectus abdominis is actually torn), surgical repair is the only option.

Do I think cosmetic procedures are vital to medicine? I really don't know. My cousin refused to let her son have an otoplasty, and he grew up very happy and well-adjusted. He also has asked me for a reference for a plastic surgeon, because he's always wanted to "fix" his ears. If somebody has learned to accept themselves but still feels they would be happier if they could only change that one thing about their physical appearance that always bothered them, then who am I to say that's a bad thing? I guess it's a philosophical argument. I personally saw literally thousands of patients who say that plastic surgery changed their lives for the better.

There are some unscrupulous characters out there who book twelve cases 3-4 days a week and rush through them. They're often brilliant and talented physicians who got greedy, and perform procedures on patients that many of their colleagues would refuse. I've scrubbed in on cases where we performed liposuction, abdominoplasty, and a number of other procedures in a single surgery on a patient who is 300 pounds and really should have lost weight, adopted a healthier lifestyle, and only THEN have the procedure done to remove loose and sagging skin.

Many plastic surgeons did or still do reconstructive work. I work with one on medical missions to South America, where the plastic surgeons involved perform hundreds of free surgeries on patients who were severely burned or deformed in accidents, and countless other types of reconstructive procedures. One of the physicians involved joined the mission when he was still a fourth-year general surgery resident. He did a plastics fellowship, and his experience with the mission compelled him to do a craniofacial fellowship.

As someone else mentioned here, plastic surgeons are some of the best and brightest physicians. They are extremely knowledgeable and can teach you a lot about medicine and surgery.

With the way the economy is right now, these former cosmetic, PRS trained guys are dying for recon work.

 

[riverjib]

With the way the economy is right now, these former cosmetic, PRS trained guys are dying for recon work.

Interesting you should mention that. I'm in school full-time, but I do per-diem work in the ambulatory surgical center. I was off the radar for a while, but I went in to visit, and the nurse manager begged me to come in as often as possible, and to let him know when I had any availability. He said they're swamped, and that they're in desperate need of per diems to help relieve the full-time staff.

In this economy, you'd think that "frivolous" procedures would be the first to go. My mother works in the architecture field with EXTREMELY rich clients, and her business has suffered in the past year. Half of her colleagues have been laid off, and she's struggling to pay her mortgage.

The aformentioned plastic surgeon told me business has not slowed down at all for him. In fact, he's busier than ever. I wonder why this is? Maybe those who can't afford to spend hundreds of thousands remodeling their homes still feel that a personal "makeover" might help boost their spirits? In the microcosm that is my surgical center, most of the plastic surgeons are still in demand. Their stock portfolios may have experienced the crunch, but their businesses haven't yet felt it.

 

[FloatOn]

The aformentioned plastic surgeon told me business has not slowed down at all for him. In fact, he's busier than ever. I wonder why this is? Maybe those who can't afford to spend hundreds of thousands remodeling their homes still feel that a personal "makeover" might help boost their spirits? In the microcosm that is my surgical center, most of the plastic surgeons are still in demand. Their stock portfolios may have experienced the crunch, but their businesses haven't yet felt it.

Yup. Very rich people might have lost a lot of money, but they still have a lot of it left.

 

[JaggerPlate]

Interesting you should mention that. I'm in school full-time, but I do per-diem work in the ambulatory surgical center. I was off the radar for a while, but I went in to visit, and the nurse manager begged me to come in as often as possible, and to let him know when I had any availability. He said they're swamped, and that they're in desperate need of per diems to help relieve the full-time staff.

In this economy, you'd think that "frivolous" procedures would be the first to go. My mother works in the architecture field with EXTREMELY rich clients, and her business has suffered in the past year. Half of her colleagues have been laid off, and she's struggling to pay her mortgage.

The aformentioned plastic surgeon told me business has not slowed down at all for him. In fact, he's busier than ever. I wonder why this is? Maybe those who can't afford to spend hundreds of thousands remodeling their homes still feel that a personal "makeover" might help boost their spirits? In the microcosm that is my surgical center, most of the plastic surgeons are still in demand. Their stock portfolios may have experienced the crunch, but their businesses haven't yet felt it.

I mentioned it because I know several attendings in cosmetic medicine and each and every one said their business is in the toilet. I wonder what the surgeon you know is doing differently? Who knows?

 

[Slack3r]

I shadowed a purely cosmetic surgeon 2 summers back. I found those surgeries to hold my attention more than urological or gsurg procedures. Interesting thing I observed, most of the patients getting breast implants were elementary schools teachers. Where were these women when I was a kid? 😱

 

[lixxx669]

I shadowed a reconstructive plastic surgeon a few months ago. During the clinic hour, I got the chance to hold the patient's butt for the doc to clean up the dead tissues around the anus of the patient.....

 

[riverjib]

I mentioned it because I know several attendings in cosmetic medicine and each and every one said their business is in the toilet. I wonder what the surgeon you know is doing differently? Who knows?

Good question. He's a top-rated NYC plastic surgeon with ties to the South American community. He started a medical mission years ago, and that has garnered quite a bit of media attention (including televised coverage and radio interviews). In fact, I went out to a Peruvian restaurant last year and the host and waiter both recognized me from Telemundo broadcasts. So he is clearly well known and respected in our community.

But he's not the only one. I was shocked when I went back to work there per diem. When I worked full-time in that particular surgical center, 40 cases a day was considered a full schedule. There were 56 cases on the schedule that day, and they now average 48-50 cases a day. Mind you, I left in 2006 when the economy was still in good shape...so I have no idea why some of the plastic surgeons there aren't experiencing the crunch. A few of them are suffering, but at least three are still doing extraordinarily well.

 

[CoolLatios]

Hi, I'm interested in shadowing a surgeon (but I would be even more ecstatic if it was with a plastic surgeon because that or reconstructive surgery are what I am interested in becoming), but the problem is that I don't know anyone who has connections to a surgeon. What would you guys recommend? Can I just email a local surgeon and ask if he/she would be willing to help?

 

[Dr Pennypacker]

I met one of my old girlfriends while I was shadowing a plastic surgeon. The surgeon was a complete professional. She was hot before, but after the surgery alone time with her became a whole more fun, if you know what I mean. I don't think she has to worry about drowning in a pool anytime soon.