Dr. West graduated from the University of Georgia, earning cum laude honors. He remained in Atlanta by proceeding to the Emory University School of Medicine where he earned his medical degree. Remaining at Emory University, he completed his general surgery residency.

From Emory, Dr. West expanded his surgical experience by being selected by Yale University and its affiliated hospitals to serve as the Chief Resident in General Surgery. Dr. West spent a year as the Winchester Research Fellow at Yale before returning to Atlanta to complete his plastic surgery residency at Emory University. Considered one of the premier plastic surgery programs in the nation, Emory University was an ideal setting for expanding his understanding of and experience with all plastic surgery procedures.