Cosmetic Surgery vs Plastic Surgery

Part1

While both cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery deal with improving a patient’s body, the overarching philosophies guiding the training, research, and goals for patient outcomes are different.

What is cosmetic surgery?

Cosmetic Surgery: Focused on Enhancing Appearance

The procedures, techniques, and principles of cosmetic surgery are entirely focused on enhancing a patient’s appearance. Improving aesthetic appeal, symmetry, and proportion are the key goals. An aesthetic surgery can be performed on all areas of the head, neck, and body. Since cosmetic procedures treat areas that function properly, cosmetic surgery is designated as elective. Cosmetic elective procedures are performed by doctors from a variety of medical fields, including plastic surgeons.

Types of Cosmetic Surgery Procedures:

Breast Enhancement: Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction

Facial Contouring: Rhinoplasty, Chin, or Cheek Enhancement

Facial Rejuvenation: Facelift, Eyelid Lift, Neck Lift, Brow Lift

Body Contouring: Tummy Tuck, Liposuction, Gynecomastia Treatment

Skin Rejuvenation: Laser Resurfacing, Botox®, Filler Treatments(Reborn PLLA Dermal filler and others)

What is plastic surgery?

Plastic Surgery: Focused on Repairing Defects to Reconstruct a Normal Function & Appearance

Plastic surgery is defined as a surgical specialty dedicated to reconstruction of facial and body defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease. Plastic surgery is intended to correct dysfunctional areas of the body and is, by definition, reconstructive in nature. While many plastic surgeons choose to complete additional training and perform cosmetic surgery as well, the basis of their surgical training remains 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 more strongly communicate the message that “plastic and reconstructive surgeons are one in the same.”

Types Plastic Surgery Procedures:

Breast Reconstruction

Burn Repair Surgery

Congenital Defect Repair: Cleft Palate, Extremity Defect Repair

Lower Extremity Reconstruction

Hand Surgery

Scar Revision Surgery