Plastic Surgery Specialty Profile

Breast enlargements, facelifts, celebrity patients and a healthy bank account. This the stereotypical view of plastic surgery frequently portrayed in the media. There is vastly more to this complex specialty than many realize. The history of plastic surgery can be traced back to ancient times when the Indian surgeon Sushruta repaired a nasal tip defect with a forehead flap in 600BC. In the 20th century, modern warfare in combination with advances in medicine meant that increasing number of veterans were returning from the battlefield horribly disfigured, yet with a high chance of surviving their injuries. This spurred the rapid development of plastic surgery which employs surgical techniques that not only improves aesthetic outcomes, but restores or preserves function. This is a specialty requiring a dedicated individual with intricate operative skills, the ability to pay attention to detail and excellent interpersonal skills.

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Plastic & Reconstructive Training Program

Application process

Plastics training is via SET. Applicants are eligible to apply upon completion of two postgraduate medical years. Prior to commencing the training program the following mandatory requirements must be met: An Emergency rotation Critical Care term (ICU, HDU or similar)... more

Training Program

The training program is run via the SET framework and is five years duration.... more

Length of Training

SET is a five year program and does not include fellowship. Applicants usually commence in SET 1, but may commence at more advanced levels.... more

Cost of Training

See Surgery - Cost of Training... more

Availability/Competition for training positions

This is currently one of the most popular surgical specialties and positions are competitive. In 2007 nine trainees were appointed into SET1 in Australia.... more

Flexibility in Training

See Surgery - Flexibility in Training... more

Plastic & Reconstructive Workplace

The workplace

The true breadth of this specialty is rarely comprehended by the public and also many medical specialists. Plastic surgeons operate on more regions of the body than any other surgeon. The range operations performed is well beyond the scope of... more

The doctor-patient relationship

Plastic surgeons deal with both adult and paediatric patients. Many cosmetic patients will recover relatively quickly and not require extensive follow up. In contrast patients with burns and congenital defects for example often require multiple operations and will often develop... more

Intellectual content

Plastic surgeons are required to have a particularly detailed knowledge of anatomy. An excellent grasp of physiology and pathology is also required. Principles of wound healing and the specific techniques of plastic surgery and their post operative management such skin... more

Medical indemnity

Use our risk category tool to see what risk category is assigned to this specialty.... more

Lifestyle and Practice Options

Plastic surgery training is rigorous due to the breadth of plastic surgery in combination the requirement to frequently perform long and complex operations. Consultant surgeons have more control over their hours and the majority work between 50-60 hours per week.... more

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