It’s easy to assume they are the same when considering plastic or cosmetic surgery. After all, both fields involve surgery to alter the body. However, there are significant differences between plastic and cosmetic surgery, which are essential for anyone exploring these procedures. Understanding the distinction can help patients make informed decisions when seeking plastic or cosmetic surgeons for their needs. In this blog, we will delve into the differences between plastic and cosmetic surgery, including the types of procedures, the training required for each specialty, and the roles of board-certified and board-certified cosmetic surgeons.
What Is Plastic Surgery?
The Purpose of Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is a broad surgical specialty focused on reconstructive surgery and repairing facial and body defects caused by congenital defects, trauma, burns, or disease. Plastic surgeons perform surgeries that reconstruct, restore, or improve the function and appearance of various body parts.
Reconstructive plastic surgery is typically medically necessary and focuses on restoring function or correcting deformities that impair a patient’s ability to perform normal activities or cause physical discomfort. Examples of plastic surgery procedures include breast reconstruction after a mastectomy, cleft lip repair, burn reconstruction, and reconstructive surgery for congenital defects.
Plastic Surgery vs Cosmetic Surgery: Key Differences
Unlike cosmetic surgery, which is mainly focused on enhancing appearance, plastic surgery encompasses a broader range of surgical procedures aimed at repairing or rebuilding the body after injury or illness. Reconstructive plastic surgery can address functional issues, such as impaired movement, speech problems, and breathing difficulties caused by deformities or accidents.
Plastic surgeons undergo extensive training in plastic surgery, including a five-year residency program, to learn a wide variety of techniques in reconstructive procedures. This includes training in both general surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery techniques.
Common Plastic Surgery Procedures
- Breast reconstruction after mastectomy
- Cleft lip and palate repair
- Reconstructive surgeries for birth defects
- Burn reconstruction
- Facial reconstruction after trauma
- Hand surgery and extremity defect repair
- Nasal surgery for congenital defects
Plastic surgery can also address skin cancer or other medical concerns that affect the body’s appearance while restoring normal function.
What Is Cosmetic Surgery?
The Purpose of Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is a specific type of surgical specialty focused on enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a person’s appearance. Unlike plastic surgery, which is often medically necessary, cosmetic surgery is typically elective, meaning it is chosen by the patient for personal reasons to improve their physical appearance.
Patients seeking cosmetic procedures generally do so for aesthetic reasons. The procedures are designed to improve or alter a particular body feature, such as the face, breasts, or body contouring.
Types of Cosmetic Procedures
Some of the most common cosmetic procedures include:
- Facelift surgery to reduce wrinkles and sagging skin
- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) to remove excess skin and fat around the eyes
- Liposuction to remove stubborn fat deposits
- Breast augmentation or breast enhancement for cosmetic reasons
- Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) to tighten the abdominal area
- Rhinoplasty (nose job) for reshaping the nose
- Laser resurfacing to improve skin texture and tone
Cosmetic Surgery vs Plastic Surgery
While cosmetic surgery focuses on enhancing appearance, plastic surgery focuses more on reconstruction and repair. Many plastic surgeons are also trained to perform cosmetic surgery, but cosmetic surgery may not always involve the medical conditions or trauma that plastic surgery addresses. For aesthetic reasons, cosmetic surgeons undergo cosmetic surgery training to refine their skills in enhancing facial and body features.
The Training and Certification of Surgeons
Plastic Surgery Training
Both plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery require extensive medical education and surgical training. However, the scope of training for plastic surgeons differs from that of cosmetic surgeons.
- Plastic surgery residency training generally takes about five years and includes in-depth training in reconstructive surgery and plastic surgery techniques.
- After completing residency, many plastic surgeons pursue fellowships for further specialization in areas such as craniofacial surgery, pediatric surgery, or hand surgery.
Board-certified plastic surgeons have completed this rigorous training and passed the certification exams required by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This ensures that they meet the highest standards in both aesthetic and reconstructive procedures.
Cosmetic Surgery Training
Cosmetic surgery training is typically a subset of plastic surgery residency training. Many cosmetic surgeons are also board-certified plastic surgeons who have decided to specialize in cosmetic procedures. Some cosmetic surgeons may have completed additional training specific to aesthetic surgery, focusing on facial procedures, breast enhancement, and body contouring.
While many board-certified cosmetic surgeons are also board-certified plastic surgeons, there are other routes through which a surgeon may specialize in cosmetic surgery. However, it’s crucial to ensure that the surgeon performing cosmetic surgery procedures is adequately trained, as the specialty requires an extensive understanding of facial aesthetics, body contouring, and surgical techniques.
The Importance of Choosing a Board-Certified Surgeon
When choosing a surgeon for cosmetic or plastic surgery, it is essential to select a board-certified surgeon. A board-certified plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon has undergone a rigorous certification process involving extensive training, passing exams, and maintaining high standards of practice. This provides patients with confidence that their surgeon has met the highest qualifications.
Choosing a board-certified surgeon reduces the risks of complications and increases the likelihood of a successful cosmetic or reconstructive procedure.
When to Seek Plastic Surgery vs Cosmetic Surgery
Plastic Surgery for Medical Needs
If you have a birth defect, nasal obstruction, or trauma that requires reconstructive surgery, plastic surgery is the appropriate option. A plastic surgeon can restore function and appearance, especially in cases of severe trauma, birth disorders, or reconstructive surgery after cancer treatment.
Patients seeking plastic surgery are typically looking to repair something that has been damaged or impaired due to medical or traumatic reasons. For instance, someone with breathing difficulties from a deviated septum would benefit from functional rhinoplasty performed by a plastic surgeon.
Cosmetic Surgery for Aesthetic Enhancements
If you want to improve your appearance for aesthetic reasons, cosmetic surgery is the way to go. Whether it’s a breast augmentation, facelift, or eyelid surgery, a cosmetic surgeon is trained to perform procedures that enhance the overall aesthetic look.
Discussing your expectations with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon is important to ensure your aesthetic goals are achievable and realistic.
Conclusion
In summary, while plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are often lumped together, they serve different purposes. Plastic surgery is primarily focused on reconstructive surgery, repairing birth defects, trauma, or other functional issues, while cosmetic surgery is intended for aesthetic enhancement. Understanding these distinctions is key when considering surgery, as it helps guide you toward the right plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon for your needs.
Always seek a board-certified plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon with the appropriate training and experience. Whether undergoing reconstructive surgery or cosmetic procedures, choosing a qualified and experienced professional ensures the best possible outcomes for your health and appearance.
References
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/the-differences-between-plastic-surgery-and-cosmetic-surgery-and-why-board-certification-matters
https://ambrdfcs.org/patient-resources/cosmetic-vs-plastic-surgery/#:~:text=Plastic%20surgery%20training%20involves%20a,focuses%20exclusively%20on%20aesthetic%20procedures.
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/whats-the-difference-between-a-cosmetic-and-plastic-surgeon
