Cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery have different goals. While both cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery aim to improve the patient's body, the. 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 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 firmly convey the message that “plastic and reconstructive surgeons are the same.” 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 facial, breast, and body cosmetic surgery procedures, in addition to non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and perform 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.
You're not alone if you think that plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons are the same thing, but they definitely aren't. Cosmetic surgeons can operate on almost any area of the body, including the face, breasts, arms, abdomen, back, skin, buttocks, and legs. Residency training in plastic surgery involves a series of mandatory plastic and reconstructive surgeries, of which cosmetic procedures and principles are part. In addition to these, plastic surgeons can perform most cosmetic procedures, such as breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tuck, breast changes for moms, and facelifts.
Cosmetic surgeons are trained in aesthetic principles and facial cosmetic surgeons, in particular, specialize in aesthetic procedures for the head, face, and neck. Plastic surgery training involves a wide range of procedures to restore the body's normal appearance and function, while cosmetic surgery training focuses exclusively on aesthetic procedures. Physicians who advertise that they are certified by the American Board of Aesthetic Surgery (ABCS) do not meet the criteria required for board-certified plastic surgeons. Because cosmetic procedures treat areas that work properly, cosmetic surgery is designated as elective.
The society, which represents more than 11,000 medical members from around the world, is recognized as a leading authority and source of information on aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. If the procedure you are looking for is aesthetic in nature, choosing a cosmetic surgeon means that your surgeon is focused on safely achieving a solid aesthetic result. Cosmetic surgery board certification requires surgical training followed by extensive and documented cosmetic surgery experience. Therefore, the title “board-certified plastic surgeon” indicates a certain level of training and experience with respect to plastic surgery, but 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. General cosmetic surgeons can be certified by the American Board of Aesthetic Surgery (ABCS), while those who specialize in facial cosmetic surgery are certified by the American Board of Aesthetic Facial Surgery (ABFCS), which certifies cosmetic surgeons who specialize in cosmetic procedures of the head, face and neck.
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 surgery training during medical residency involves reconstructive procedures to improve function and restore appearance after an injury, illness, or congenital disorder.
