What Is Involved in Cosmetic Surgery Training?

Cosmetic surgery training varies according jurisdiction and the type of training a physician chooses to undergo. In most countries, medical doctors must complete extensive classroom and on-the-job training before receiving a medical license. After a physician gains licensure, laws in his area may permit him to perform various types of cosmetic surgery, though many will choose to receive specific training in the field of plastic surgery. This training may lead to a specialization in plastic surgery or may simply enable the physician to perform aesthetic procedures such as liposuction, breast augmentation, or Botox.

Before an individual undergoes cosmetic surgery training, he will typically receive a general medical education so that he can be licensed to practice medicine. In the United States, most physicians complete a four-year medical school program after they complete an undergraduate degree, though some schools offer a shorter educational pathway to some students by combining undergraduate and medical school training. After a student completes medical school, he will typically complete a residency in a medical specialty. For those who wish become plastic surgeons, it is possible to receive cosmetic surgery training through a specialized residency, which is often undertaken after completing a general surgeon's residency.

In the United States, any medical doctor who holds an appropriate state license can perform aesthetic surgery even without having undergone surgeon's training or a cosmetic surgery residency. Some schools and educational vendors provide training to medical doctors who wish to learn how to perform many common and high-demand plastic surgery medical procedures. These training programs may be offered at doctor's conventions or through stand-alone schools and institutes. The quality of these programs may vary, particularly as they are not part of a comprehensive cosmetic surgery training curriculum for those who intend to specialize in this area of medicine.

Many doctors, including internists and family practice physicians, may choose to undergo cosmetic surgery training as a way of increasing revenue for their practice. Individuals who are considering cosmetic procedures may wish to ask the doctor offering these services as to the type of training she received. While some believe that it is quite possible for a non-plastic surgeon to safely offer basic cosmetic surgery services, others believe that many of these procedures are best performed by a a medical doctor who has completed a plastic surgery residency and who regularly undergoes additional training by participating in continuing education courses in new plastic surgery techniques.