A Day in the Life of a Plastic Surgeon

Medically Reviewed By

Dana M. Goldberg, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Published: January 26, 2022
Last Updated: July 25, 2026

2026:

6:00 AM – START THE DAY

Coffee, emails, chart review, and final prep for a full surgical day ahead. Surgery days require a lot of coordination before we even step foot in the OR — reviewing patient plans, imaging, implant selections, and making sure every detail is in place for a smooth operative day.

7:00 AM – PRE-OP & SURGICAL MARKINGS

The morning starts with meeting patients before surgery, answering any last-minute questions, reviewing surgical plans, and completing pre-operative markings. This is one of the most important parts of the day — ensuring every procedure is personalized to the patient’s anatomy and goals.

8:00 AM – FIRST CASE: PRIMARY BREAST AUGMENTATION

Today’s first surgery is a primary breast augmentation using the newest generation of Motiva Ergonomix™ implants. These implants are designed to mimic the natural movement and feel of breast tissue while providing beautiful, soft, natural-looking results.

Every breast augmentation is customized based on the patient’s anatomy, lifestyle, and desired outcome. Implant selection, pocket placement, and surgical technique all play a major role in creating balanced, long-lasting results.

11:00 AM – SECOND CASE: COMPLEX REVISIONAL BREAST SURGERY

The second surgery of the day is a much more advanced revisional breast procedure involving implant exchange, capsulectomy, pocket conversion, mastopexy, and reinforcement with OviTex® grafting.

Revision surgeries require extensive surgical planning and precision. In this case, the procedure is designed to improve implant positioning, reshape the breast pocket, provide internal support, and create a more aesthetic and stable long-term result. PRP is also incorporated to support healing and tissue quality.

Complex breast revision cases are some of the most technically demanding procedures in plastic surgery and require both reconstructive expertise and aesthetic judgment.

2:30 PM – THIRD CASE: VAGINOPLASTY

The final case of the day is a vaginoplasty procedure focused on restoring both function and confidence. These procedures are deeply personal for patients and often address concerns related to childbirth, aging, discomfort, or changes in tissue support over time.

Surgical planning focuses not only on aesthetics, but also on comfort, function, and individualized patient goals. Creating a safe and supportive environment for these conversations is an important part of patient care.

5:30 PM – POST-OP CHECKS & PATIENT FOLLOW-UP

After surgery, I check on each patient in recovery, review post-operative instructions with families, and ensure everyone is comfortable before heading home. Communication and patient education are a huge part of recovery and long-term success.

6:30 PM – WRAPPING UP THE DAY

The workday doesn’t always end when surgery is over. Evenings are often spent reviewing charts, responding to patient messages, collaborating with the team, planning upcoming cases, and keeping up with the latest advancements in aesthetic surgery and regenerative medicine.

8:00 PM – HOME

After a full day in the operating room, it’s finally time to unwind and recharge before doing it all again tomorrow.

11:00 PM – SLEEP

Another busy — but incredibly rewarding — day.

 

2022:

6:30 AM – Rise and shine!

7:30 – Breast Cancer Conference at the hospital

This is a weekly meeting where physicians from many different specialties, like oncology, radiology, surgery, and pathology come together to discuss the latest research related to breast cancer care. We also talk about specific patients.  After reviewing the history, radiology, and pathology, we all discuss what the best treatment plan will be.

9:00 – Hospital Rounds

Not only do I see patients in my office and operate, but I also see patients in the hospital…make that many hospitals. Most people are surprised that plastic surgeons also work in the hospital, but we take care of everything from broken noses to chest wounds after open heart surgery. After checking labs, vital signs, and test results, I check on each patient and write orders for the nurses for the day. And finally, there is time for coffee 🙂

11:00 – Patients in the office

Today, there is a pretty typical mix of patients. Some are interested in cosmetic surgery (breast augmentation and tummy tuck are popular today), some are patients following up after breast reconstruction, and some are patients with skin cancer.  The day is interrupted by about 40 different phone calls and emails, but that’s what keeps life interesting!

4:00 – Surgery

A scar revision this afternoon. The OR staff, as usual, anticipate my needs, and the procedure goes quickly and smoothly. A good team is the key to a successful surgeon!

7:00 – Another visit back to the hospital

There is a patient in the Emergency Department who had a breast surgery out of town, but came to our emergency department because she thought something was wrong. I always feel especially bad for anyone who ends up in the emergency department while they’re on vacation. Luckily, everything was ok, and she got to go home.

8:00 – Home

Another great day. Time to blog, study, and look over some of the new changes required for electronic prescriptions in the office.

11:30 – Sleep!