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. Nearly 200 years ago, German physician Carl Ferdinand von Graefe coined the term “plastic surgery” to describe the remodeling of body tissue.
Surgical specialty dedicated to the reconstruction of facial and body defects caused by congenital disorders, injuries, burns and diseases. These terms are often interchanged despite their different meanings and purposes. Cosmetic surgery focuses on appearance, while plastic surgery focuses on correcting defects and functionality. In the First and Second World Wars, the term plastic surgery or reconstructive surgery was used to describe the surgery that soldiers needed due to burns, missing limbs and facial reconstruction.
Once doctors perfected the technique for reconstructing traumatic defects, a whole new world of perfecting the human body opened up. Nowadays, when most people think of plastic surgery, they immediately think of nose surgeries, breast augmentations, or Kardashians. The following are treatments classified as plastic and cosmetic surgery by the American Board of Aesthetic Surgery, a trusted source. Brace scored the highest when completing the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery exam and finished first among all surgeons on the certification exam, the exam that sets the standard for facial plastic surgeons around the world.
For this reason, he won the prestigious Jack R. Guelph Facial Plastics & Surgical Suites award. Elective aesthetic procedures are performed by doctors from various fields of medicine, including plastic surgeons. Therefore, although in theory a cosmetic surgeon may be legally authorized to perform the surgical procedure you are considering, it is always recommended to seek treatment with the most qualified, experienced and accredited surgeon you can.
Let's face it, when most people think of plastic surgery, they think of procedures like Botox and breast augmentation. The initial training that a plastic surgeon receives can take place in many areas of surgery, such as urology, orthopedics, otorhinolaryngology (ENT), general surgery, and even neurosurgery. There are currently no residency programs in the United States dedicated exclusively to cosmetic surgery. Between Botox parties, the appearance of beauty bars across the country, and social media influencers speaking more openly about their plastic surgery, there can be some confusion about what constitutes plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery.
The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 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. All ASPS members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited centers, and follow strict safety and ethical standards. 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.
Although the family doctor, pediatrician or radiologist complete three years of training to practice their profession after graduating from medical school, the ASPS-certified plastic surgeon must complete a minimum of 5 years of postgraduate surgical training. Regardless of the procedure you are undergoing, whether aesthetic or reconstructive, be sure to see a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area. Because cosmetic procedures treat areas that work properly, cosmetic surgery is designated as elective. While plastic surgery may cause a surgeon to remove skin abnormalities, such as a birthmark, cancerous tissue, or excess skin after weight loss, the term cosmetic surgery would describe a procedure such as a lip lift and tends to be performed more frequently as an aesthetic benefit.
