Recent content by drpatelplasticsurgery

I'm a URSMD alum who applied twice before getting in (three times if you include having applied to their Rochester Early Medical Scholars program in high school). U of R is one of those schools that wants to make sure you're a good "fit" for the school and would be happy there. New York City...

Go on PubMed (Google 'Entrez PubMed') and start searching for articles pertaining to a particular reconstructive surgery topic in our white journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The mast head of PRS includes the names of some of the best-known reconstructive surgeons in the United States...

I agree with what Dr. Oliver indicated. In the end, you will need to teach yourself, and experience is the best way. The breast recons inform my aesthetic breast cases (augs, masto-augs, etc). The facial trauma and Mohs recon inform my ability to do aesthetic blephs, browlifts, and...

I use a Canon PowerShot SX400 IS that my wife got from a friend while I was in residency (for $60), and it works great for my purposes (including when I went through my Oral Boards). I agree with droliver otherwise! What helps is to have a standardized setup in your office. I use a 'clinical'...

I did an ASAPS-Endorsed aesthetic fellowship and am now a member of The Aesthetic Society (ASAPS). I give advice about this subject all the time to senior and chief plastic surgery residents around the country (and even my residency PD, who recently helped set up a new private practice...

I'm an ABPS-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and a member of our national aesthetic society (formerly ASAPS). Don't do these so-called "fellowships" geared for non-core physicians. Stick to what your training enables you to do. If you're a general surgeon without additional...

This is funny. It's been 3 1/2 years since I took (and passed) the Writtens. Oh well! Folks can PM me for advice on passing. The ASPS Written & Oral Course is really good (for both Writtens and Orals).

If your program director has access to ACAPS, you can access in-service exams dating back almost 20 years. This is how many of us studied for our American in-services as well as for the Written Exam by the ABPS.

Haha - I'm glad y'all are still using my SDN 'ad' from when I was Chief Resident. Honestly, though, it's a great opportunity for a SubI who doesn't have to compete with other SubIs the same month and get the true experience of an Acting Intern at a busy Level 1 trauma center. While it doesn't...

I trained with Mark Codner. His 2nd edition of Eyelid and Periorbital Surgery are my Bibles. Volume 1 is aesthetic oculoplastic surgery while Volume 2 is for reconstructive oculoplastic surgery. I continue to refer to them regularly. His textbook on aesthetic Mohs eyelid reconstruction with...

Guns, Germs, and Steel

Written Boards for Plastic Surgery coming up for us Boards-eligible folks this October. Any study tips / resources worth investing? I have Samuel Lin's PRS Board Review 2nd ed. - I liked using the 1st ed. in studying for the in-service exam. Is it worth going through ACAPS (retired...

Repeating an open invitation, this time for Visiting Residents: The UC Davis Division of Plastic Surgery is seeking Visiting Residents to help cover our service starting APRIL 2017. We currently lack any intern coverage for the months of April, May, and June 2017. I've received some responses...

Decide in part by which bread and butter cases you would enjoy more and see yourself doing and enjoying when you're 60. If you can't stand the downsides (e.g. pressure sore management and needy patients in aesthetic plastic surgery), forget the specialty. It's strange that you are not...

Open invitation to U.S. medical students: (1) To graduating MS4s looking for a month of plastic surgery to hone suturing skills, scrub into reconstruction cases, or simply to avoid being bored toward the end of medical school; AND (2) To rising MS4s who may be fortunate enough to be starting...