Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons

Plastic and Reconstructive surgery is one of nine surgical specialties recognised by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. A Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon who is FRACS (plast) has been awarded Fellowship of the College in the speciality of Plastic and Reconstructive surgery.

To gain FRACS (or its equivalent) Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive surgeons have at least 10 years of post-graduate medical and surgical education. This includes at least five years of extensive specialist training. This training programme, known as Surgical Education and Training (SET) is a highly competitive programme which selects only the top few candidates annually.

After completing the full period of training and passing the final examination, surgeons are awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.  In New Zealand, Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons are vocationally registered by the Medical Council of New Zealand and are recognised as having achieved FRACS or its international equivalent.

While most members of NZAPS are New Zealand trained specialists, some members have trained and qualified in Plastic Surgery overseas. These doctors hold qualifications such as Fellowship of the College of Surgeons of England, Ireland, Scotland or Canada, or Board Certification for American-trained specialists. They have been assessed as equivalent to FRACS and accepted by the Medical Council of New Zealand as specialists.

Find a New Zealand specialist plastic and reconstructive surgeon in your area here.