On Sunday 19th October 2008, four of the committee attended an event, organised by the British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) in the Royal College of Surgeons in London. The aim of the day was to provide students with an insight into careers in plastic surgery.

Presentations were given by some of the country’s leading plastic surgeons, including lectures on;
• the History of Plastic Surgery,
• Hand Surgery,
• the Healing Foundation,
• Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction,
• Burns,
• Trauma,
• Lower Limb Surgery,
• Skin Cancer,
• Paediatric Plastic Surgery
• Aesthetic Surgery.

Attendees were given the opportunity to watch a “surgical cinema” (footage from the operating theatre). Informal advice was given about where to go for electives based on plastic surgery, and also about how to get into plastic surgery. Students were also given the opportunity to tour the BAPRAS archive and practice suturing.

The main “take home” messages from the day were that the media perception of plastic surgeons was grossly distorted and that cosmetic surgery was only one small part of a plastic surgeon’s job. The speakers also stressed that plastic surgeons are becoming increasingly involved in the treatment of cancer patients. Mr AR Green, the president of BAPRAS, emphasised that plastic surgery is possibly the most competitive field in surgery. However he said that the NHS planned to double the number of consultancy posts in plastic surgery in the next few years and this should lower the competition for posts and speed career progression.

It was a very successful and worthwhile day which was useful for anyone interested in pursuing a career in plastic surgery.