subject: Plastic Surgeons - Important Facts About The Profession [print this page] Plastic surgeons are simultaneously celebrated and criticized in the U.S. In some ways, they are seen as the "easy street" doctors, both performing operations on those rich enough to afford them and becoming rich themselves in the process. Certainly, they are not saving lives. That said, neither is your average pediatrician. What they are doing is making life better for their patients, even if it is only from an aesthetic point of view. That is surely worth something, as anyone who has had a successful cosmetic operation can attest. If you'd like to know more about this unique profession, here are some important facts.
History
When you think of plastic surgeons, you probably don't envision an art form or a science that goes back thousands of years. In many ways, however, it really does. Thousands of years before what we consider "modern civilization," people were performing the first crude forms of aesthetic surgery, as documented by archeologists studying ancient cultures. As far back as 400 B.C., skin grafts were being used to treat injuries. Of course, it was not until the last 150 years that the science really began to take off. This led to the development of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons in 1931, which was instrumental in laying down the first guidelines for training in the field.
Purpose
The purposes of plastic surgeons are varied. Unlike what you may have heard, it isn't all about providing facelifts for rich women in Beverly Hills. There are doctors performing cosmetic procedures in every city in the country, for people from every walk of life. Many of these doctors use their skills to perform not just elective, vanity procedures, but reconstructive procedures to help those who have suffered from burns, congenital defects, and life altering surgeries.
Training and Education
There is no "school for plastic surgeons." Every person who works in the field started by going to school to become a medical doctor and has been educated as such. Their determination to go into the field led to their choices after school, mostly dealing with their residency and later training. It is important to note that there are currently no laws on the books that state a medical doctor need proof of specific training to begin performing cosmetic procedures. There are restrictions on who can be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, however, which gives patients something to consider when choosing a doctor.
