subject: Advice For The New Plastic Surgeon [print this page] CongratulationsCongratulations. You have finally completed all of your required schooling and training programs and passed all of the required exams in order to become a plastic surgeon. Pat yourself on the back. Now, the real work begins. However, there's no need to panic or feel overwhelmed. If you were able to get through the long and sometimes tumultuous schooling process, there should be nothing you can't handle. With that being said, there are several things you may want to keep in mind as you start your journey as a plastic surgeon.
First, you should realize that there's a fat chance that all of your patients won't be happy with your work 100 percent of the time. You could go through 30 consultations with them and spend an extra 5 hours on their operation making sure you get everything just right. However, there are some people who are never truly satisfied. So, you can't take it personally. As long as you know you did your best to give them the proper results, there's nothing to fret over. Also, just a word of advice, if you do run into these types of people, it may not be a good idea to accept them as a patient a second time. Why willingly put yourself through that kind of stress?
The second thing you should remember as a new plastic surgeon is that every procedure won't always go the way you planned it. You may have an image in your head of exactly how an operation should go. With that being said, you should always be prepared for a surprise, both physically and mentally. Therefore, you should have emergency tools handy along with the ones you would normally use.
Another thing you should keep in mind is that your job as a plastic surgeon is only going to be as fun as you make it. You can't go in expecting your patients, your colleagues or your assistants to create a fun and welcoming atmosphere for you. You have to do it yourself. The best way this can be done is by not taking yourself too seriously. Of course, you have a serious job, and the actual operations should definitely be taken seriously. However, it's okay to smile and even joke around a little, when it's appropriate. No one said you had to be dull and stern just because you aren't a professional comedian.
Now that you have officially become a plastic surgeon, it is time for you to use all of the skills and knowledge you've attained over the years and put them into action. Along with using your brainpower, there are several practical things you will need to do in order to maintain success along with your sanity.
