People sometimes ask me what is the difference between plastic and cosmetic surgery. I ran across an article that I wanted to share with you. It reads:
Because plastic surgery entails a repair or enhancement, almost any procedure has a cosmetic element. But the names are not equivalent.
"Cosmetic surgery is a very generic term," Rohrich said
The terms go beyond semantics, however. Board certification in plastic surgery from the American Board of Plastic Surgeons means a physician has completed five years in surgical training at an accredited hospital, with at least two years dedicated to plastic surgery.
Physicians in other disciplines may have some training in plastic surgery; for example, an ophthalmologist may be trained to perform cosmetic procedures around the eyes. However, a medical degree and some form of certification in cosmetic surgery does not equal that level of training. That's why prospective patients need to ask about a physician’s training.
I encourage my staff to advise patients to do their research before scheduling an appointment. Even if they choose not to come to our office, make sure they know that their surgeon has received the highest level of training. As the article states, some surgeons may have cosmetic training (and advertise this), but this does not ensure that they are Plastic Surgeons. The words are often used interchangeably, but they do not mean the same thing. I am a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and I perform plastic surgery on patients. "Cosmetic surgery" is a grey undefined area.
Finding a Board Certified surgeon is also encouraged. Being "Board Certified" means the individual has completed a training program after going to medical school and they have taken certification examinations to determine their proficiency in a particular specialty of medicine through the ABMS (American Board of Medical Surgery). There is no certification for "cosmetic surgery", but there is for Plastic Surgery. If a surgeon identifies himself as a cosmetic surgeon, I would encourage inquiring further about his specific training.
Furthermore, word of mouth is always helpful when choosing a physician. Ask your friends and do research on the internet, but be sure to take it all in with a grain of salt.
Recommendations and advice are the result of experience and thoughtful, professional judgment. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
