An Analysis of Differences in the Number of Children for Female and Male Plastic Surgeons

What is it about?

Historically, given the physical and time demands of both pregnancy and training, women plastic surgeons have postponed pregnancy and have been more likely than men to have no children or to have fewer later in life. A current survey indicates this disparity continues to exist. _x000D_ Women are biologically granted a limited window of fertility. At the same time, plastic surgery has one of the longest training periods of all medical specialties. To allow women to enjoy the same reproductive options as men, our specialty must accept and encourage female plastic surgeons to become pregnant before they are unable to. Establishing a universal, comprehensive parental policy will make a career in plastic surgery attractive to all talented young men and women, including those who want to be mothers. Greater diversity in our specialty will increase its talent pool, which is the raw material for greater successes and outcomes.

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