What is a real plastic surgeon in France

 

You want to be treated by the best trained doctor with the right qualifications?

In many countries it is not always clear how you can find the right doctor.

This website helps you select REAL plastic surgeons.

Real plastic surgeons have studied Medicine to become a Medical Doctor (MD), after getting that title they need additional training to become a Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon, generally after an exam. After graduating they are registered as Plastic Surgeons at the Health Government.

 

Medicine

In France the training to become a doctor consists of:

  • 1 years bachelor training with a very selective first year to be admitted in medical studies (PACES, 10% admission)
  • 5 years master training
  • National Exam organized by the State (ECN) in order to choose which specialty you would like to learn
  • To be able to practice as a doctor (MD) you have to train 3 years more for General Physicians practice and present a work (Thesis)

Then, you will now be registered in the Medical Chamber (Conseil National de l’Ordre des médecins) and you will get a number by Department of the Ministry of Health as a doctor (RPPS).

 

Specialist Training

But in order to become a plastic surgeon you need a specialist training.
This training consists after ECN, if you are at an appropriate rank, of:

  • At least 2 years general surgery training
  • 3 years of plastic surgery training
  • Exam (DESC) organized by the University

If you pass this exam you are a plastic surgeon and are registered as plastic Surgeon at the national medical chamber.

 

Continued Education

When you are an official plastic surgeon, your training does not stop. Most plastic surgeons do additional Fellowships - one or two years in a department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery in a public hospital, often working at the medical university too, teaching medical students or residents.

They do courses or diploma to learn more about specific areas of our specialty, possible directions are:

  • Aesthetic Surgery
  • Rhinoplasty
  • Microsurgery
  • Burns
  • Hand surgery
  • Breast reconstruction and oncoplastic surgery

Depending on the help you need you might want to verify whether your doctor has done additional training, besides fellowships this can be by attending Courses, symposia and congresses.

 

Membership

All European countries have National Societies who represent the Plastic Surgery community. Membership of such a Society is highly recommended for REAL plastic surgeons, you can verify this in the chart of the doctor on this website.

For France the 2 National Societies are:

  • Société Française de Chirurgie Plastique Reconstructrice et Esthétique (SoFCPRE)
  • Société Française des Chirurgiens Esthétiques Plasticiens (SOFCEP), whose members are all plastic surgeons but mainly practicing aesthetic surgery.

 

Membership of relevant European and International Societies shows additional Commitment to the area the plastic surgeon is most interested in. Relevant individual member Societies include (non-exhaustive list):

  • European Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ESAPS)
  • Euraps
  • Rhinoplasty Society
  • European Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (ESPRAS)
  • International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
  • Etc

 

REAL Plastic Surgeons summary

REAL plastic surgeons have had a thorough training, did an exam and are officially registered at the country’s Ministry of Health. They are member of a National Society and relevant (sub-)specialty societies and continue to learn their entire life.