Cosmetic surgery is done to repair or remodel structures in the body that would otherwise be normal, usually to improve appearance. If you've always thought that cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery were the same thing, you're not alone. A significant number of plastic surgeons choose to focus their practice on cosmetic surgery and, therefore, the terms are often used interchangeably. But this is not technically correct.
Cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are closely related specialties, but they are not the same thing. While both cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery seek to improve the patient's body, the general philosophies that guide training, research, and goals for patients are different. The procedures, techniques, and principles of cosmetic surgery are completely focused on improving the patient's appearance. Improving aesthetic appeal, symmetry and proportion are the key objectives. Cosmetic surgery can be performed on all areas of the head, neck and body.
Because cosmetic procedures treat areas that work properly, cosmetic surgery is designated as elective. Elective cosmetic procedures are performed by doctors from a variety of medical fields, including plastic surgeons. 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 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 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.” Plastic surgery residency programs may include cosmetic surgery as part of the surgeon's training, but usually don't include training in all cosmetic procedures. Therefore, the title “board-certified plastic surgeon” indicates a certain level of training and experience with respect to plastic surgery, but it 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, ² It also does not indicate that the doctor has more or less training in cosmetic surgery than that of a certified physician in another specialty. There are currently no residency programs in the United States dedicated exclusively to cosmetic surgery.
Because of this, cosmetic surgeons primarily gain training and experience after completing their residency training. This is done by completing a post-residency training program with grants in cosmetic surgery. The training, experience, and knowledge needed to become a board-certified cosmetic surgeon reflect a specialization that goes beyond what is needed to obtain board certification in a related discipline, such as plastic surgery. 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. Because any licensed doctor can legally perform cosmetic surgery, regardless of how you received cosmetic surgery training, it's extremely important that you do your research when choosing a cosmetic surgeon. To find the most qualified doctor for a specific cosmetic procedure, you must compare the training, experience and proven competence of general physicians (residency and post-residency) with respect to that specific cosmetic procedure.
Abdominoplasty (also called tummy tuck) In tummy tuck surgery, the surgeon makes a long incision from one side to the other of the bone of the hip. Excess fat and skin are surgically removed from the middle and lower abdomen and the muscles in the belly wall are tightened. The term plastic surgery has its origin in 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 subspecialties of plastic surgery. Plastic surgeons use a variety of surgical techniques, including flap surgery, skin grafting, and microvascular surgery. Surgeons can move healthy, living tissue, such as skin, muscle, fat, and blood vessels, from one part of the body to another area affected by birth defects, burns, traumatic injuries, tumors, or other conditions. Cosmetic plastic surgery (also called cosmetic surgery) refers to procedures that improve the appearance of the face and body.
They include tummy tuck, breast augmentation and reduction, eyelid surgery, nose remodeling (rhinoplasty), face lift, and fat removal (liposuction).
Some people use plastic surgery to correct a physical defect or to alter a part of the body that makes them uncomfortable. Because state medical boards vary, check with your state's medical board about the certification of cosmetic surgeons and plastic surgeons.Four plastic surgeons who practice at Mayo Clinic in Florida, 12 in Minnesota and four in Arizona work closely with doctors in other specialties to provide patients with comprehensive medical care that meets their cosmetic and reconstructive surgery needs. However, a board-certified cosmetic surgeon has a different training and approach than a board-certified plastic surgeon. If you're thinking about having plastic surgery, find out everything you can about the specific procedure you're considering and talk about it with your doctors and your parents. Dermaplaning: A plastic surgery technique used to treat deep acne scars with a portable instrument called a dermatome.
The term plastic surgery comes from the Greek word plastike (teckhne), which means the art of modeling or sculpting.
