What's the Difference Between a Plastic Surgeon and a Cosmetic Surgeon?

Reconstructive plastic surgery may be covered by insurance, while cosmetic plastic surgery is elective and generally not covered. 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 to be subspecialties of plastic surgery.Plastic surgery is a broad field that encompasses both cosmetic (aesthetic) and reconstructive procedures. Reconstructive surgery focuses on repairing or reconstructing problems caused by congenital deformities, the removal of tumors, such as cancer, trauma, or other reasons. Some other lesser-known plastic surgery procedures include carpal tunnel surgery, microsurgery, rhinoplasty, and peripheral nerve surgery. Many people think that plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons are the same thing.They practice related medical specialties and both cosmetic and plastic surgery can change their appearance. However, a board-certified aesthetic surgeon has a different background and approach than a board-certified plastic surgeon. Every surgeon certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery has completed a 1-year fellowship certified by the American Academy of Aesthetic Surgery exclusively in surgery aesthetics.Also, ask about the complications the surgeon has found and what is done to correct the complications if they occur. Not to mention, being certified by ABPS ensures that the plastic surgeon is committed to continuing education and maintaining a strong code of ethics. While both cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are concerned with improving the patient's body, the general philosophies that guide training, research, and the goals of patient outcomes are different.If your surgeon doesn't have a FRACS, then he is NOT a surgeon and doesn't have the minimum qualifications to perform surgery. However, the purpose of plastic surgery is to restore the function and appearance of damaged areas of the body. Complete 5 to 6 years of medical residency with training in general surgery and plastic surgery, including surgery for cosmetic reasons. Reconstructing a breast after a mastectomy is a reconstructive procedure that should only be performed by a plastic surgeon.On the other hand, only a surgeon who has met the rigorous guidelines established by the ABPS can legitimately refer to himself or herself as a board-certified plastic surgeon. If you've always thought that cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery were the same thing, you're not alone. In reality, there is often significant overlap between reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery, as they share many of the same underlying surgical principles.