The most in-depth and intensive cosmetic surgery training available
An AACS Certified General Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship is a post‐residency program involving advanced education and training in the art of cosmetic surgery. Not only does this fellowship provide standout training, but it may qualify surgeons to seek board certification from the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) or the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery (ABFCS).
What Defines Cosmetic Surgery?
Cosmetic surgery is a specialty exclusively dedicated to the enhancement of appearance through surgical and medical techniques directed to all areas of the head, neck, and body. Cosmetic surgery is performed by facial plastic surgeons, general surgeons, gynecologists, ophthalmologists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, otolaryngologists, plastic surgeons, and physicians from other fields.
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Benefits of Fellowship Training
Fellowship training gives your career an invaluable boost with the tools and skills to focus your practice on cosmetic surgery directly out of the program. The benefits of fellowship training mean that you may:
- Establish a cosmetic practice: Having seen patients for a full year or more in fellowship, you will be prepared to begin seeing cosmetic patients in your practice.
- Sit for the board exam given by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS): Earning board certification shows patients that you have specialized in cosmetic medicine and are committed to maintaining a safe, ethical practice.
- Stay connected with the AACS: Maintain your membership in AACS for opportunities to stay at the top of your field with education, training, and networking. Our organization and network will support you as a business owner and a surgeon with the right to practice.
You will be in an ideal position to hit the ground running in a successful, cosmetic surgery-focused private practice, thanks to the support of surgeons like you with a passion for aesthetic medicine.
Training Included in a General Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship
General cosmetic surgery training fellows participate as primary surgeon or direct assistant in 300 or more cosmetic surgery procedures.
- These 300 procedures include a minimum of:
- 50 cosmetic surgery procedures of the body or extremities
- 50 cosmetic surgery procedures of the breast
- 50 dermatologic cosmetic surgery procedure
- 50 facial cosmetic surgery procedures.
- Fellows also receive exposure to common non‐surgical cosmetic procedures (e.g., fillers, Botox, superficial skin care treatment).
Training also includes:
- A broad and complete sequence of patient experiences, designed for the fellow to master:
- the principles of aesthetics
- patient consultations and management
- complications management
- postoperative care of common cosmetic procedures
- An intimate, unparalleled training experience led by your fellowship director (a board certified cosmetic surgeon) on running a successful cosmetic surgery practice, from creation to management.
- Instruction in the basic sciences, anatomy, anesthesia, ethics, pre-and postoperative management, surgical technique, wound healing, laboratory technique. medicolegal and regulatory issues, and quality assurance should be included in the curriculum
- Regularly scheduled didactic sessions including morbidity and mortality conferences, Core Curriculum Review, clinical presentations, and research and basic science presentations
- Weekly seminars with your director, and a mandatory reading list from landmark cosmetic surgery topics.