One of the first questions Americans ask: "Are these surgeons actually qualified?" The answer requires understanding how Colombia trains its plastic surgeons—and how it compares to US training.
The Training Timeline
Medical School — 6 Years
Colombian medical education begins directly after high school (no 4-year undergraduate degree required). Students complete a rigorous 6-year medical program combining foundational sciences and clinical rotations.
Año Rural (Rural Service) — 1 Year
Mandatory service year in underserved rural areas. Physicians practice independently, gaining broad clinical experience and serving communities with limited healthcare access.
Plastic Surgery Residency — 4 Years
Colombia uses an integrated residency model: plastic surgery training begins directly after medical school, not after a separate general surgery residency. This means surgeons spend more total hours specifically on plastic surgery techniques.
Fellowship (Optional) — 1-2 Years
Many top Colombian surgeons complete additional fellowships at international institutions—NYU, UCLA, Mayo Clinic, or European centers—specializing in specific procedures or techniques.
Total Training Time
10-12 years post-high school
Comparable to US training length, with more hours focused specifically on plastic surgery due to integrated residency model.
Colombia vs. US Training Comparison
| Component | Colombia | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-medical (undergraduate) | Not required | 4 years |
| Medical school | 6 years | 4 years |
| Rural/community service | 1 year (mandatory) | Not required |
| General surgery residency | Integrated into plastic surgery | 3-5 years (independent pathway) |
| Plastic surgery residency | 4 years | 3 years (after gen surg) or 6 years (integrated) |
| Total (post-high school) | 11 years | 13-15 years |
The Integrated Residency Advantage
The US traditionally required general surgery training (3-5 years) before plastic surgery (3 years). Colombia's integrated model goes straight into plastic surgery.
The practical result: Colombian plastic surgeons often have more hours specifically dedicated to plastic surgery techniques by the time they complete training. They're not spending 3-5 years learning to remove gallbladders before touching a rhinoplasty.
(Note: The US has moved toward offering integrated programs as well, but the traditional pathway is still common.)
Credentials to Verify
A legitimate Colombian plastic surgeon should have:
SCCP Membership
Sociedad Colombiana de Cirugía Plástica—Colombia's equivalent to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Membership requires verified training and board certification. This is the most important credential.
RETHUS Registration
Government database verifying medical credentials. Every licensed physician must be registered. You can verify this publicly.
University Credentials
Medical degree from accredited Colombian university. Top programs include Universidad de Antioquia, Universidad Nacional, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.
Hospital Privileges
Operating privileges at accredited hospitals/clinics require credential verification. Working at JCI-accredited facilities adds another layer of validation.
Critical Warning
Colombia lacks legislation restricting who can perform cosmetic surgery. General practitioners, dermatologists, or others without plastic surgery training can legally offer procedures. SCCP membership is your verification that the surgeon completed proper plastic surgery training. If they're not SCCP members, ask why.
International Fellowships
Many of Medellín's top surgeons complete additional training abroad:
- NYU Langone: Facial plastic surgery, rhinoplasty
- UCLA: Body contouring, microsurgery
- Mayo Clinic: Reconstructive techniques
- European centers: Deep plane facelift techniques (especially France, Spain)
- Brazilian programs: BBL techniques, body contouring (Brazil pioneered many procedures)
When researching surgeons, ask about fellowship training. Additional international experience—especially from top US programs—indicates commitment to continued education.
Volume Creates Expertise
Beyond formal training, Colombian surgeons often have significantly higher procedure volumes than US counterparts. A busy Medellín surgeon might perform 3-5x more BBLs annually than a busy Miami surgeon.
High volume matters because surgical skill improves with repetition. A surgeon who's performed 2,000 BBLs has seen more complications, more variations in anatomy, and developed more refined technique than one who's performed 200.
The Bottom Line
Colombian plastic surgeons complete 10-12 years of training comparable to US standards. The integrated residency model means more hours focused specifically on plastic surgery. Many top surgeons add international fellowships at elite US and European programs.
The key: verify SCCP membership. That credential confirms proper training and board certification. Without it, you're taking an unnecessary risk.