What is the difference between cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery

Certain conditions can be deemed either "reconstructive" or "cosmetic" depending on the patient's specific situation. A perfect example is rhinoplasty nose surgery which is often performed to enhance the appearance of the nose but may also be required to restore normal nasal breathing and normal appearance after a bad nasal fracture. Regardless of the type of plastic surgery, patients should do their homework and ensure their surgeon is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

In the U. That physician may actually have trained in any medical specialty and now wishes to perform cosmetic surgery. Even for procedures like breast augmentation, the training these individuals have undergone can include as little as a weekend course.

By selecting a plastic surgeon who is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, you can rest assured your surgeon has completed the necessary training and has the experience and expertise needed to perform your surgery safely. The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Get started today! Create an Account. Choose a board-certified plastic surgeon and be confident you are in the care of a highly trained surgeon you can trust.

American Society of Plastic Surgeons. But they give patients limited treatment options, and may prevent patients from understanding all of their options.

On the flip side, a cosmetic surgeon would be able to pinpoint which technologies are best for an individual and give them all of their options. Matarasso, who performs only cosmetic procedures, sees patients on a daily basis who had a procedure done but were not ideal candidates for it. They had poor outcomes as a result of not being properly educated on all of their procedure options. Seeking a board-certified doctor is so important instead of finding a doctor who performs just one service, said Matarasso.

It offers the full gamut as opposed to just one thing. Patients who enlist doctors who perform cosmetic procedures in their office or at an outpatient surgery center should make sure the physician is approved to perform the same procedures at a local hospital, Jacobs explained. According to the ABPS, board-certified plastic surgeons can only operate in properly certified facilities and can only perform procedures in the office for which they also have hospital privileges.

They must have transfer privileges to at least one local hospital in case of an emergency. The number of people getting cosmetic procedures has risen steadily over the past five years and there are several reasons why. Today, more men are turning to plastic surgery to boost their confidence. What you need to know about "medical tourism" and why more people are doing it. Learn how a lower body lift works, including the procedure and aftercare, and hear from two board certified plastic surgeons about what to expect from….

Itching is usually part of recovery when you have a healing wound. Often people who choose to undergo cosmetic surgery have been unhappy with a particular area of their body for some time and finally decide to take action to get it improved. It is also commonly used to tackle the tell-tale signs of ageing, breast lift surgery for example is used to reposition drooping breasts and many facial procedures such as facelifts and fillers are designed to reduce wrinkles and sagging skin. Liposuction, breast reduction, eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty are equally popular amongst both men and women, whereas breast enlargements and tummy tucks tend to be more in the female domain.

As a general rule, a plastic surgeon can perform both types of surgery, however most cosmetic surgeons cannot perform plastic surgery. This is because the level of qualification for a plastic surgeon is very high, whereas a cosmetic surgeon is not required to go through such extensive medical training, although they still have to be highly qualified to perform cosmetic surgery.

As cosmetic surgery is becoming more popular, and as a result, more mainstream, there are a number of under-qualified surgeons operating within the business, many with just a basic medical degree.

As the majority of plastic surgery cases are essential, the surgery is highly likely to be covered under the NHS, although some patients may choose to go on to have additional treatment privately. Cosmetic surgery, however, is not covered under the NHS as it is considered to be elective surgery. There are occasions where cosmetic surgery is required to rectify medical matters where the patient is in serious discomfort, however these situations are unusual, and down to the discretion of the medical professional assessing the condition.

Physicians with significant experience in cosmetic surgery become certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery ABCS , which has established a strict set of criteria to ensure experience and proficiency specifically in cosmetic surgery.

Plastic surgeons follow a similar path as many cosmetic surgeons. At this point, a plastic surgeons additional training in cosmetic surgery is optional. If they choose, they may take steps to gain experience in cosmetic surgery through a fellowship training program, workshops, seminars and lectures, and then become certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery after having completed the necessary requirements. It is important that the public as well as healthcare professionals understand these differences so patients can make informed decisions when choosing a surgeon for a specific procedure, whether it is a cosmetic or plastic surgeon.