Both plastic and cosmetic surgeons offer procedures that help their patients make their faces more symmetrical and achieve desired aesthetic outcomes. It’s not uncommon for a specialist to be referred to as a plastic or cosmetic surgeon interchangeably, but there is a difference in the general services and surgical procedures offered by each of these professionals.
Both cosmetic and plastic surgeons must be licensed by their state and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Understanding the differences of each will help patients make more informed decisions and avoid entrusting medical practitioners who may falsely advertise themselves as expert plastic surgeons but do not have the credentials or proper education to safely operate.
There Are Two Types of Plastic Surgeons
Plastic surgeons perform more than just aesthetic enhancement procedures. They also perform reconstructive surgery, which helps people with facial or physical deformities or injuries obtain normal, healthy function.
Reconstructive plastic surgeons help patients achieve functionality and aesthetically improve their bodies and faces that are disfigured or scarred due to injuries, burns, trauma, developmental defects or disease.
Cosmetic plastic surgeons help patients improve their self-confidence by offering enhancement procedures that can shape, sculpt and refine their appearance. Cosmetic surgeons are what most think of when they hear the term “plastic surgery,” which conjures thoughts of breast enhancements, rhinoplasties and facelifts.
Choosing the Right Surgeon
Regardless of the procedure, it’s important for patients to investigate their state’s required education and training credentials for every medical professional before they look for local doctors.
The ASPS has a directory of both reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgeons for patients to utilize. Once a licensed surgeon has been found, an in-person consultation is the next step. During this consultation, which should always be offered free of charge, patients can explain their desires to the surgeon. They should ask about the surgeon’s experience with the particular procedure in question and ask to see some before and after photos of their work.
Cost should also be considered; in some cases, reconstructive surgery can be covered by health insurance, but cosmetic surgery is largely considered unnecessary. There are certain cases where an eye lift or nose job can be deemed medically necessary to improve a patient’s quality of life, but patients should be well aware of the general cost of plastic surgery and get estimates from at least two surgeons before making a final decision.