If you've always thought that cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery were the same thing, you're not alone. A significant number of plastic surgeons choose to focus their practice on cosmetic surgery and, therefore, the terms are often used interchangeably. But this is not technically correct. Cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are closely related specialties, but they are not the same thing. A big problem for many people is that a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon can be confused.
However, while cosmetic surgery is a type of plastic surgery, cosmetic surgeons can only perform cosmetic procedures, explains Dr. Alan Matarasso, president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Plastic surgery is essentially a specialized branch of medicine that focuses on reconstructing various areas of the body to restore function or improve the appearance. The primary goal of cosmetic surgery is to improve the aesthetic appeal, symmetry, and proportion of the face and other areas of the body.
Things can get even more confusing when you learn that many plastic surgeons offer cosmetic procedures in their office and that almost any medical professional could refer to themselves as a cosmetic surgeon. Cosmetic surgeons can operate on almost any area of the body, such as the face, breasts, arms, abdomen, back, skin, buttocks, and legs. The difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon isn't the procedures they offer, but rather the surgeon's qualifications to perform those procedures. Medical professionals are not required to be board-certified plastic surgeons to perform complex cosmetic surgery.
Getting a breast lift (augmentation) is a cosmetic procedure that can be performed by a plastic or cosmetic surgeon. It's important to note that any qualified medical professional (including plastic surgeons and dermatologists) who performs these procedures can, with good reason, refer to themselves as a cosmetic surgeon. Plastic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery; cosmetic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. To become certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a surgeon must do at least six years of residency training, and at least half of that training in plastic and reconstructive procedures.
On the other hand, a cosmetic surgeon could determine which technologies are best for a person and offer them all their options. Most of the time, poor plastic surgery results or “plastic surgery failures” are due in part to an unqualified professional who was chosen to perform an operation for which he was not properly trained. Mikel Lo, from About Faces Cosmetic Surgery, completed two different fellowships over three years to master the art of cosmetic surgery. Plastic surgery is intended to correct dysfunctional areas of the body and is, by definition, reconstructive in nature.
