Cosmetic Surgeon vs Plastic Surgeon

Cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are terms that are used interchangeably all the time and while they are closely related procedures, they are not the same. If you need reconstructive surgery, aesthetic surgery, or some elective cosmetic procedure, it is important to know the difference between these terms. It will help you find the most skilled professional surgeon for your procedure. This article aims to review everything you need to know before your reconstructive surgery or aesthetic surgery to ease any doubts you may have in mind and help you make an informed decision. 

What is Plastic Surgery?

Plastic surgery is a broad field. It includes both cosmetic/ aesthetic surgery and reconstructive surgery. As per definition, Plastic surgery changes the physical appearance of a patient whether it is elective or medically demanded. Nowadays, plastic surgery is a term broadly used for only surgeries which are reconstructive in nature. Reconstructive surgery is a type of plastic surgery that focuses on the repairing and reconstruction of the body parts which are affected aesthetically due to trauma, burns, infections, diseases, or therapeutic surgical procedures. 

The Goal of Plastic Surgery Procedures

Plastic surgery is mainly reconstructive in nature. It is dedicated to enhancing the appearance of the body by reconstructing body defects. It helps to improve a patients’ self-esteem and confidence by helping to alleviate visible disfigurement. The ultimate goal of plastic surgery is to restore a patient’s natural body appearance while maintaining its functions.

Training in Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery training is completed through a post-graduate residency program. The surgeon is required to enroll in plastic surgery as the main field in their residency program before practicing as a plastic surgeon.

Types of Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery includes some common reconstructive surgeries such as;

• Burn repair surgery after extensive 3rd-degree burns
• Birth defect repair surgery such as cleft lip surgery
• Breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy
• Upper or lower extremities reconstruction surgery
• Scar surgery

What is Cosmetic Surgery?

Cosmetic surgery is a type of surgery that focuses on enhancing body appearance without a visible defect. It is not reconstructive surgery. Techniques, procedures and expectations built around cosmetic surgery are solely based on enhancing the appearance of a body part if the patient is not comfortable with their body appearance. It is an elective surgery that is deemed medically unnecessary which is why insurance doesn’t cover cosmetic surgery procedures.

The Goal of Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

The main goal of cosmetic surgery is to make the body aesthetically pleasing by altering the symmetry, tone, alignment, and proportions of the body. It can be done anywhere on the body if the patient is not comfortable with how they look. By altering their appearance it aims to build self-esteem and self-confidence. Plastic surgeons communicate with the patient about their reason for having cosmetic surgery and their expectations after the surgery to achieve these goals. 

Training in Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery is a wide field and its training is not the same as plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgery training is done after residency training in plastic surgery. It usually requires a year of fellowship in cosmetic surgery to become a board-certified cosmetic surgeon.

Types of Cosmetic Surgery

There are various types of cosmetic procedures involving all parts of the body such as the face, breasts, body, and skin. These procedures include,

• Facial contouring: Rhinoplasty or cheek enhancement.
• Breast procedure: Breast augmentation, breast reduction, breast lift, and gynecomastia. 
• Body contouring: Liposuction, tummy tuck.
• Skin rejuvenation: Botox, Laser or filler placements.

What does 'Board Certified' mean?

A board-certified plastic surgeon is a surgeon who has completed his plastic surgery training by one of the two routes;

• Integrated residency training - 3 years of general surgery training along with 3 years of plastic surgery training.
• Independent residency program - 5 years of general surgery along with 3 added years in the training of plastic surgery.

Meanwhile, a board-certified cosmetic surgeon has to do an extra year of fellowship in cosmetic surgery along with their usual residency in plastic surgery. Therefore, anyone who is board certified has done an independent 1-year fellowship training exclusively in cosmetic surgery. 

Final thoughts

Although plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are used interchangeably all the time, it is important to know the difference in order to select a better surgeon. It is important to look for your surgeons' qualifications and training before booking your surgery as this will give you a better understanding of their experience and credibility.