Plastic surgery a possibility for a Saba grad?

[kavoisier]

Hello all,

I was just wondering if Saba alumns might be able to shed some light based on their experience in obtaining residencies as to whether or not aspiring to do plastic surgery in the future in the US is a possibility for a Saba graduate? Thanks so much.

[rdecastro]

It's possible - just not terribly likely. You'd have to do VERY, VERY well in classes, boards, clerkships...and have some contacts, I'd think.

[kavoisier]

Do you know if it has been done in the past?

[rdecastro]

No, but I know at least one current student who's planning on it

[kavoisier]

Thanx for the info. I'm new, and starting in Jan 07. I appreciate the time you took to answer my question, as I have currently overwhelmed myself with many.

[rdecastro]

We're a chatty (and hopefully helpful) bunch here, you're welcome.

[sinchu77]

I believe you would have to match in surgery first. That is possible and within reach if you remain competitive and then do a fellowship in plastics. I could be wrong but i don't think you would go directly into Plastics.
Just curious, why you are deciding on plastics anyway? It has the potential to be as lucrative and glamorous as they show on TV but usually, that is not the case. Especially if you work in an academic setting.
I would definetely recommend getting a little more exposure to all fields when you do your clinical rotations before you make up your mind. Keep your options open.
But in short, yes its possible for an IMG to get surgery and then impress the right people and you will get your fellowship.

[kavoisier]

The reason isn't glamour, i've just always been fascinated from a young age by what plastic surgeons are capable of doing, and just wanted to know that after the clinical exposure during rotations, if it would even be a possibility if I decided it was what I wanted to do. Either way thanx for the helpful info and prompt responses.

[Compassion MD]

Plastic Sur? Possible, but you need to get into Surgery Reside and do fellowship afterward. Students have gotten into Surgery residen. but I don't know if any of them went as far as to get their fellowship done.

[kavoisier]

Thanx for the info compassion...would you mind explaining more about what a fellowship is and how one would go about to obtain it? Thanx

[jenlee402]

hey everyone,
with all the replies regarding plastic surgery, i was wondering if anyone knows of the likelihood of attaining pediatric oncology?

[gasdr]

Why not plastic surgery? A girl in my class worked hard and got neurosurgery. She had some connections though. The question is not whether a Saba grad can get plastic surgery. The real question is: Can you get plastic surgery? It is all about the individual. Don't worry about what others do. Kill boards, do incredible work in clinicals, get great letters and impress in your surgical prelim or categorical program (preferably at a place where they have plastics). Also it has a lot to do about perseverance. I know a marginal medical resident who continued to try to get a radiology spot at our residency hospital and eventually got it.
Good luck.

[kavoisier]

Thanx for the info and motivation gasdr...it definitely made me feel a lot more optimistic! :)

[gasdr]

Glad I could help!
Again, good luck!!

[Compassion MD]

Hi all,

Everything is really possible. Like Neurosurgeon, Cardiosurgeon, or even just neurology, cardiology. Everything is possible. Basically after your 4 years of medical school (2 yrs in basic science, 2 yrs clinical rotation), you apply for your residency, which is usually from 3 to 5 years depends on what kind of residency you get into. After that you ARE a doctor but if you woud like to subspecialize in something else then you go for you fellowships which is more years. Say cardiology, you have to get into Internal Medicine and after that, you apply for fellowship to become cardiology. Say Cardiology Surgery, you have to get into Surgery, and then you subspecialized in Cardiology. More questions, let me know.

[racerfiveo]

There are two ways into Plastics. They are delineated as the Integrated pathway and the Independent pathway.

The Integrated path is applied through The regular match and encompasses the complete plastics training for a total of 5 to 6 years depending on the program.

The Independent path has variations. One path is to apply to the fellowship within the same institution the general surgery residency would be currently completed after 3 years. The other way is to apply to 2 year fellowship after 5 years of general surgery.

All paths are extremely difficult but would venture to guess that the Independent model is more conducive for an IMG to enter. I believe 4 IMGs matched into the 88 Integrated spots this year but none of them were Carib grads. There is a website that lists the schools these 88 matched from but I cannot remember the address.

[kavoisier]

So with all that said racerfiveo, where do u feel Saba graduates typically fall in that breakdown? Do they have good chances of doing more comptetitive subspecialties if they were to go the independent path?

[racerfiveo]

I do think it's easier to match a fellowship once general surgery is completed because the school is somewhat subtracted from the equation and more emphasis placed upon performance within your GS residency. I think with determination, research, excellent LORS, great board scores, some luck, as well as possible connections, any residency is feasible. The likelyhood though is small. I tell everyone to reach for your number 1 choice but always have a backup that you can see yourself happy doing.

Another factor, which happens often, is people change their field of choice while in med school because you will find what you perceive the field to be like is in fact much different in the real world. Try to keep an open mind to every field.

As a Saba student, you have as good a chance as any Carib student. IMHO, St. George's has very good connections with many programs in New York and New Jersey and this may be an advantage for them at this time. I can tell you that Saba is slowly infiltrating NY/NJ since our approval in 03/04 so by the time you apply to the match, the difference might be negligible.

[comoregie]

Hey hommie.. survive first semester at Saba before talking about residency. We started out with 64 students and already lost about 10. There are about 6 students repeating and many are considering going home after our first Anatomy practical yesterday. We have 2 schedule test this coming tuesday. Medical school is no joke.. is like nothing that you have ever done before. There is no secret on how to prepare for med school. It is fun to talk about matching in Neurosurgery.. plastics and ortho.. until your first test. Whatever background you have becomes useless. Being a biology, chemistry, nurse, P.A, Chiro major can only take you too far. most of my classmate are in the library till 11pm.. and study in their room till 2am monday thru sunday. In my class it was those with health science degree that are struggling the most.
What I am saying is.. survive 5th semester, pass step 1.. before you start talking about residency. Everything is possible.. but like they say.. "you have to crawl before you walk".

[rdecastro]

OK, go get yourself a copy of Isersons "Getting a Residency" and learn all about Medical school, residency, fellowships, boards, and the rest. It'll be the most educational $35 you ever spent.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1883620309/sr=8-1/qid=1147562489/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-2465308-4129512?%5Fencoding=UTF8

[amyames]

Hey hommie.. survive first semester at Saba before talking about residency. We started out with 64 students and already lost about 10. There are about 6 students repeating and many are considering going home after our first Anatomy practical yesterday. We have 2 schedule test this coming tuesday. Medical school is no joke.. is like nothing that you have ever done before. There is no secret on how to prepare for med school. It is fun to talk about matching in Neurosurgery.. plastics and ortho.. until your first test. Whatever background you have becomes useless. Being a biology, chemistry, nurse, P.A, Chiro major can only take you too far. most of my classmate are in the library till 11pm.. and study in their room till 2am monday thru sunday. In my class it was those with health science degree that are struggling the most.
What I am saying is.. survive 5th semester, pass step 1.. before you start talking about residency. Everything is possible.. but like they say.. "you have to crawl before you walk".


harry, don't scare them too much. ha ha!

I know of 6 definitive people that have left, so yes....please do a lot of research about Saba and a lot of soul searching before you reach the island. Ask yourself why you want to be a doctor and why you are willing to spend 20 months on the island. Make sure it is for the right reasons. And just be prepared to work on Caribbean time and be prepared to work hard. People come here and say, "I didn't know medical school would be so rough," and I think to myself, "what you wanted your doctor to have it easy in medical school?" Also, get good study habits easy. Go over what worked and what didn't work for you in undergrad and bring those things to the island, so you can get back into that same groove. if you didn't do so well in ugrad, evulate why and set about to change it! The studying goes by so fast here! I study one lecture only to realize I'm two lectures behind!

on that tangent.....no one should give up on the hard residencies just b/c they went to a Carib school......work hard and you'll get it.....and if not the first time, then maybe the second..if not then, that's okay, too. at least you tried, right?

[kavoisier]

Thanx for the comforting words amyames... I've also started a thread regarding California residencies and rotations and would love to hear any input you guys might have on the issue. Thanks.

[miasma]

just wondering, do the mojority of the people who leave, leave because they feel the island is too harsh and they won't be able to handle med school, or because they are failing and kicked out?

[billydoc]

just wondering, do the mojority of the people who leave, leave because they feel the island is too harsh and they won't be able to handle med school, or because they are failing and kicked out?
Reasons are endless, but the possibility of all listed here as a combination comes to mind.

[sabaspouse2006]

just wondering, do the mojority of the people who leave, leave because they feel the island is too harsh and they won't be able to handle med school, or because they are failing and kicked out?

Maybe a student can clarify but you don't get "kicked out" in the first two weeks of school. There are a few students who fail the entire anatomy class and get to retake it next semester. Also those who withdraw without penalty who also get to retake the course.

There are school policies about academic probation and such that would govern a second failure but it isn't a situation where if you don't do well in the first two weeks, the school says you're out!

The reasons for leaving in the first few days are largely people who feel that they cannot handle the workload or simply do not want to. Culture shock and homesickness also plays a part but I imagine for most it is workload.

I've posted several times about my husband's first semester intensive study schedule but I guess it is something that you have to experience to understand. Unfortunately second semester is even worse...:shock:

Hope that helps. Maybe a student can explain better.

R/

[islandhopper]

just wondering, do the mojority of the people who leave, leave because they feel the island is too harsh and they won't be able to handle med school, or because they are failing and kicked out?

Most of people I know left the island within the first couple of weeks are either because they don't like the island or realize that med school isn't for them (either can't handle the curriculum or decide to go back to their old job).

[islandhopper]

Hey hommie.. survive first semester at Saba before talking about residency. We started out with 64 students and already lost about 10. There are about 6 students repeating and many are considering going home after our first Anatomy practical yesterday. We have 2 schedule test this coming tuesday. Medical school is no joke.. is like nothing that you have ever done before. There is no secret on how to prepare for med school. It is fun to talk about matching in Neurosurgery.. plastics and ortho.. until your first test. Whatever background you have becomes useless. Being a biology, chemistry, nurse, P.A, Chiro major can only take you too far. most of my classmate are in the library till 11pm.. and study in their room till 2am monday thru sunday. In my class it was those with health science degree that are struggling the most.
What I am saying is.. survive 5th semester, pass step 1.. before you start talking about residency. Everything is possible.. but like they say.. "you have to crawl before you walk".

Only starting out with 64 students? It used to be a minimum of 80 students when I was there.

[rdecastro]

Only starting out with 64 students? It used to be a minimum of 80 students when I was there.

funny, none of the classrooms have (even) 80 seats. Sounds like ** to me.

[gianefiasco]

Study hard and u will succeed, im a perfect example.

Im doing awesoem and all it is is hard work and hitting the books like they owe me money!:)

[racerfiveo]

I started in January 2003 and we started with 56 or 57 students, I believe.

[islandhopper]

funny, none of the classrooms have (even) 80 seats. Sounds like ** to me.

Funny. When did you start? The first semester classroom doesn't even have 80 seats?

Check again with administration and tell me it's ** or if Saba is down-sizing?

[islandhopper]

I started in January 2003 and we started with 56 or 57 students, I believe.

Back in your generation there were a lot less people. But it should've changed on or before Jan, 2005 when I was there.

[racerfiveo]

:p I feel old due to the generation comment! Definitely is plausible if it occurred after I left. I wouldn't be surprised.

[rdecastro]

Funny. When did you start? The first semester classroom doesn't even have 80 seats?

Check again with administration and tell me it's ** or if Saba is down-sizing?

Sept 2005. The Histo lab (the largest 'classroom) has a max of around 75 seats, including people not actually sitting at tables. My class set a record, and then the Jan 2006 class set another for class size...according to the Administration.

BTW, I was speaking to Dr. Bernstein (Director of Admissions) a week or two ago when he was here, and he also confirmed those numbers.

So, when were you here?

[islandhopper]

Sept 2005. The Histo lab (the largest 'classroom) has a max of around 75 seats, including people not actually sitting at tables. My class set a record, and then the Jan 2006 class set another for class size...according to the Administration.

BTW, I was speaking to Dr. Bernstein (Director of Admissions) a week or two ago when he was here, and he also confirmed those numbers.

So, when were you here?

I was there in Jan 2005. As far as I know both Jan and May 2005 class were more than 80 people. Saba is certainly getting less people now.

[rdecastro]

I was there in Jan 2005. As far as I know both Jan and May 2005 class were more than 80 people. Saba is certainly getting less people now.

Right. No doubt it's all a conspiracy by the administration, their saying your numbers are wrong. BTW, I also asked a couple of profs today who've been here for more than 3 years (at the minimum).

Your numbers don't match theirs.

[miasma]

well, good to hear that class sizes aren't exploding up....i chose saba due to small class size after all.

[Bad_Dobby]

I was there in Jan 2005. As far as I know both Jan and May 2005 class were more than 80 people. Saba is certainly getting less people now. Dobby wonders why ol'hopper post here, says he is at SGU yet posts on SGU forum he does not know how they grade? Was ol'hopper in the class at SGU where 30 students missed a test because Bad Dobby put a GI distress potion in the food - Dobby wonders what ol'hopper is missing yes he does.

See ol'hopper post on this link
http://www.valuemd.com/st-georges-university-school-medicine/112631-sgu-grading-system.html

[sabaspouse2006]

Dobby wonders why ol'hopper post here, says he is at SGU yet posts on SGU forum he does not know how they grade?
http://www.valuemd.com/st-georges-university-school-medicine/112631-sgu-grading-system.html

Aw, I think you misunderstood his question. He asked how grades are listed on transcripts. My husband is in second semester at Saba. I bet if you asked him the exact same question, he wouldn't know the answer either. Island has likely never seen a SGU transcript. I think it was a legitimate question.

I know that Island and I have disagreed mightly in the past. We've also agreed never to post directly to each other ever again, regardless of our feelings about the other's opinion. I don't always agree with him either but I do think that I think what you've said is unfair.

R/

[islandhopper]

Right. No doubt it's all a conspiracy by the administration, their saying your numbers are wrong. BTW, I also asked a couple of profs today who've been here for more than 3 years (at the minimum).

Your numbers don't match theirs.
I just remembered that the number is more like in the low 70's than in the 80's. I got the number mixed up with the number of my previous professional school. No, the number is in the 70's, but I won't be surprised if it'll hit 80's in the next year or so.

But starting with 64 is still lower than before. I am somewhat surprised by it.

[islandhopper]

Aw, I think you misunderstood his question. He asked how grades are listed on transcripts. My husband is in second semester at Saba. I bet if you asked him the exact same question, he wouldn't know the answer either. Island has likely never seen a SGU transcript. I think it was a legitimate question.

I know that Island and I have disagreed mightly in the past. We've also agreed never to post directly to each other ever again, regardless of our feelings about the other's opinion. I don't always agree with him either but I do think that I think what you've said is unfair.

R/
Thanks for clearing it up. Yes, I've never seen the transcript nor has many upper termers which is why I posted the question.

[texmex2]

I just remembered that the number is more like in the low 70's than in the 80's. I got the number mixed up with the number of my previous professional school.
Don't worry about it, Islandhopper. We've grown quite used to you getting it wrong around here. Anything less would've been a shock.

BTW, is there no moderator for this forum? I can guarantee that if I went over to the SGU forum and consistently denigrated SGU and those that presently attend with information that proved wrong over and over again, the Moderator Queen would be sure to put a quick halt to it.

[texmex2]

I know that Island and I have disagreed mightly in the past. We've also agreed never to post directly to each other ever again, regardless of our feelings about the other's opinion.

That sounds like an interesting strategy. And, of course, one that highly favors Islandhopper and leaves Newbies with the wrong information. :rolleyes: Why not call on him on the crap he posts and make him back it up? That way those looking for truthful information aren't left with the impression that he might have actually got it right for once, when you know he didn't.

[texmex2]

Right. No doubt it's all a conspiracy by the administration, their saying your numbers are wrong. BTW, I also asked a couple of profs today who've been here for more than 3 years (at the minimum).

Your numbers don't match theirs.
Nice work, r.

[archon218]

There is two ways to go into plastics. First is to match directly into a 5 yr plastics program straight out of med school. This option is very difficult for US grads and virtually unheard of for FMG. Second which is the more likely, is to match into General Surgery then after completion going for a plastics fellowship of two years. Keep in mind your USMLE for gen surgery should be at least 220 if you want to have a good shot. It is very possible but your performance will be important.

[sabaspouse2006]

That sounds like an interesting strategy. And, of course, one that highly favors Islandhopper and leaves Newbies with the wrong information. :rolleyes: Why not call on him on the crap he posts and make him back it up? That way those looking for truthful information aren't left with the impression that he might have actually got it right for once, when you know he didn't.

Yes, I would totally agree if there was any conclusion from me starting a discussions with him. Any sort of resolution that might be beneficial to newbies reading our posts never occurs because he doesn't answer information directly. I complicate things by getting frustrated. A no win situation.

I don't have the time or patience for arguing senselessly. Island and I are keeping our mutual distance because we cannot have a civil conversation, and that isn't helpful to anyone.

R/

[islandhopper]

I don't have the time or patience for arguing senselessly. Island and I are keeping our mutual distance because we cannot have a civil conversation, and that isn't helpful to anyone.

R/
I would correct this phrase if I were you by reading my last post.

It's not necessary to explain everything you do.

[islandhopper]

That sounds like an interesting strategy. And, of course, one that highly favors Islandhopper and leaves Newbies with the wrong information. :rolleyes: Why not call on him on the crap he posts and make him back it up? That way those looking for truthful information aren't left with the impression that he might have actually got it right for once, when you know he didn't.
Like I said, sprouting of newbies on Saba's forum doesn't surprise me.:rolleyes:

[islandhopper]

Nice work, r.

A great way to increase post count.

[sanjuro]

I just love it when people defend their reasons for wanting to do plastics, neurosurgery, etc. :-) They NEVER want to go into plastic surgery because of the glamour, it is always something else.

Have you noticed how most of the threads concern high status residencies?




.

[wizard17]

chances for just regular old general surgery at a decent community hospital?? i want to go overseas... probably wont be as good of working conditions as here in the usa...

[JV]

Q: Is plastic surgery a possibility for a Saba grad?
A: Depends on their insurance or ability to pay. Also, breast reductions are covered by most plans if a medical reason (e.g. back pain) is documented.