What Does the MD in Doctor Stand For?

In the field of medicine there are two types of medical schools and medical degrees available. The first is the Doctor of Medicine (MD) and the second is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). The curricula to obtain a degree from these medical schools is almost identical and State licensing, residency programs and hospitals view these both as equal medical degrees.

Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree: A doctor of medicine attends a four-year medical school and learns traditional medical theory and practice. In traditional medical practice, diseases and health are evaluated and treated based primarily on symptoms or attributes associated specifically with the health condition.

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree: A doctor of osteopathy attends a four-year osteopathic school and learns holistic medicine as well as traditional medicine. The focus of holistic medicine is evaluating illnesses and health in the context of the "whole patient."


In order to become a physician, each student must complete four years of undergraduate training, four years of medical school, and additional years of internship and residency. During the period of internship, they work with patients under the supervision of physicians in many areas including internal medicine, psychiatry, gynecology, and surgery. Many MDs receive graduate medical education in a particular specialty through a paid residency that they complete in a hospital. Many DOs participate in a 12-month internship and a residency that may extend into six years.

To be licensed in the United States, physicians must graduate from an accredited medical school, pass board examinations, and receive one to seven years of graduate education, depending upon their specialty. In order to receive board certification by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the physician must pass another examination within two years of practice. Some doctors become Fellows of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), meaning that the doctor's education, training, competence, and ethical conduct has passed an intensive assessment consistent with the standards of the College of Surgeons. The doctor may also complete more training in a sub-specialty.

Dr. Powell of FemSmart and Androsmart is a local medical cosmetics doctor who holds a Doctor of Medicine Degree (MD.)

Facelift Procedure

Do you wish you had back your youthful glow? Are you starting to see signs of aging in your face in the form of loose skin, sagging puffy eyes and loose jowls? If you said yes to any of these questions, I have the solution for you. A facelift procedure!

The facelift procedure tightens up your skin and takes years off your face. A facelift will also bring a taughtness back to your skin and give you a youthful, vibrant glow. The procedure is very quick and can be completed in a short trip to your plastic surgeon.

The effects of the facelift are immediate. You will see your puffy eyes, loose jowls and fine wrinkles disappear and restore you back to your natural beauty. The facelift procedure is a great option for those who feel younger than they appear and are starting to show some age. It happens! With age, the skin begins to loose it's elasticity and start to sag. What the facelift will do is remove excess skin and tighten up your facial features.

Learn more about face lift procedures in the Frisco area here.

What is a Tummy Tuck?

A tummy tuck is a cosmetic surgery procedure that gives you the appearance of a flat stomach. During the procedure, the existing skin is cut out from your middle and or lower abdomen and the remaining skin is stretched out over the area to be tightened.

In the United States, tummy tucks are the fifth most common plastic surgery procedure. In the last 10 years, the number of tummy tuck surgeries completed annually has increased by 84%. It mainly involves the surgical removal of excess abdominal skin and fat. Also, during the procedure, weak abdominal muscles can also be tightened.

Many patients use a tummy tuck procedure to give themselves a jump start for tightening up after childbirth before getting back into a gym routine. As with any procedure, a tummy tuck should be performed on patients that are healthy enough to undergo and recover from a surgical procedure.

Dr. Charles Powell is a North Dallas plastic surgeon that specializes in minimally-invasive laser lipo procedures that provide similar results to those of a tummy tuck, with minimal scarring.