The term plastic surgery comes from the Greek word plastikos, which means to mold or shape. The field of plastic surgery can be divided into two main categories: reconstructive procedures and cosmetic procedures. Both are generally considered subspecialties of plastic surgery. While health insurance rarely covers the cost of cosmetic procedures, the number of people who decide to have cosmetic plastic surgery continues to increase.
The main cosmetic surgeries are breast augmentation, liposuction, nose remodeling, eyelid surgery, tummy tuck and facelift. The goal of cosmetic surgery is to improve a person's appearance, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Cosmetic surgery can be performed anywhere on the face and body. 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 as such, 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. While both cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery seek to improve the patient's body, the general philosophies that guide training, research, and goals for patients are different. The procedures, techniques and principles of cosmetic surgery are completely focused on improving the patient's appearance. Improving aesthetic appeal, symmetry and proportion are the key objectives.
Cosmetic surgery can be performed on all areas of the head, neck and body. Because cosmetic procedures treat areas that work properly, cosmetic surgery is designated as elective. Elective cosmetic procedures are performed by doctors from a variety of medical fields, including plastic surgeons. Plastic surgery is defined as a surgical specialty dedicated to the reconstruction of facial and body defects due to congenital disorders, injuries, burns and diseases. Plastic surgery aims to correct dysfunctional areas of the body and, by definition, is reconstructive in nature.
While many plastic surgeons choose to complete additional training and also perform cosmetic surgery, the foundation of their surgical training is still reconstructive plastic surgery. In fact, in 1999, the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons changed its name to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to communicate more strongly the message that “plastic and reconstructive surgeons are the same”. Plastic surgery residency programs may include cosmetic surgery as part of surgeon training, but usually do not include training in all cosmetic procedures. Therefore, the title “board-certified plastic surgeon” indicates a certain level of training and experience with respect to plastic surgery, but it does not indicate the same with respect to cosmetic surgery, since the residency training required to obtain board certification in plastic surgery may not include training with respect to many common cosmetic procedures, ² It also does not indicate that the doctor has more or less training in cosmetic surgery than that of a certified physician in another specialty.
There are currently no residency programs in the United States dedicated exclusively to cosmetic surgery. Because of this, cosmetic surgeons primarily gain training and experience after completing their residency training. This is done by completing a post-residency training program with fellowships in cosmetic surgery. The training, experience, and knowledge needed to become a certified cosmetic surgeon reflect a specialization that goes beyond what is needed to become certified in a related discipline, such as plastic surgery. Every surgeon certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery has completed a 1-year fellowship certified by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery exclusively in cosmetic surgery. During this fellowship, surgeons receive extensive training in all cosmetic surgery procedures of the face, breast and body, in addition to non-surgical cosmetic treatments, performing a minimum of 300 individual cosmetic surgery procedures.
This training grant is in addition to completing a 3- to 5-year residency program in a related discipline. Because any licensed doctor can legally perform cosmetic surgery, regardless of how you received cosmetic surgery training, it's extremely important that you do your research when choosing a cosmetic surgeon. To find the most qualified doctor for a specific cosmetic procedure, you must compare the training, experience and proven competence of general physicians (residency and post-residency) with respect to that specific cosmetic procedure. Plastic surgery is a special type of surgery that can change a person's appearance and ability to function.
For example, breast enlargement surgery is considered a purely cosmetic procedure and is rarely covered by insurance. There are a number of cosmetic surgery procedures that men and women can choose from to create an image that makes them feel more confident and comfortable with their appearance. Because cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery have different practice objectives based on a set of specific procedures, it only follows that the training and certification process of a certified cosmetic surgeon will be very different from that of a board-certified plastic surgeon. Cosmetic surgery requires a genius with magnificent intuition and imagination when valuing artistic quality, while it remains an ordinary procedure based on an analytical logic devoid of its ambiguity when focusing on its scientific aspects. The double standard with respect to cosmetic surgery on the part of cosmetic surgeons and clients is fundamentally due to the duality inherent in the nature of cosmetic surgery.
Cosmetic surgeons must recognize the characteristics and limits of the medical professions and dedicate themselves to their professional tasks without neglecting moral corruption. Procedures and healing times vary, so it's recommended that you research what your particular procedure involves and whether it's reconstructive surgery or aesthetics. Therefore, it is imperative that the cosmetic surgeon understands the characteristics of the materials of the human body, has a complete knowledge of the parts to be repaired, perfect repair techniques, and accumulate skills through experience. Despite being informed and prepared, you may be surprised by the bruising and swelling that follow cosmetic surgery and how long it lasts.
Cosmetic surgery, in a unique way, strives to achieve body transformation on the basis of curing not an illness but a mind that seeks youth and beauty. Your surgeon will explain to you how cosmetic surgery can change your body and what you can expect as a result.
