Cosmetic Surgery vs. Plastic Surgery: Do you know the Difference?

What is cosmetic surgery?

Cosmetic surgery is a unique discipline of medicine focused on appearance enhancement through medical and surgical techniques. Its goal is achieving, maintaining, and enhancing normal appearance.

Cosmetic Surgery is a subspecialty that has arisen from multiple fields such as ophthlamology, dermatology, and head and neck surgery (ENT) disciplines. Each specialty has had a major contribution such as eyelid surgery, skin resurfacing, and rhinoplasty. As no one single specialty can claim to 'know it all', the specialty of cosmetic surgery was formed to share and promote the most current thoughts and techniques of the many contributing fields of medicine.

As procedures, such as liposuction and breast augmentation correction continue to evolve, surgeons throughout the world present these enhancements to board certified cosmetic surgeons to be evaluated, perfected, and placed into practice.

What is plastic surgery?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, plastic surgery deals with the repair, reconstruction, or replacement of physical defects of form or function involving the skin, muscolskeletal system, craniomaxillofacial structures, hand, extremities, breast and trunk, or external genitalia. It is intended to correct dysfunctional areas of the body and is reconstructive in nature. Recently plastic and reconstructive surgery has placed an emphasis towards cosmetic surgery .

The most important thing to remember is that the terms 'plastic surgery' and 'cosmetic surgery' are not interchangeable. Confusion about the terms has led to public misconceptions about the two specialties. Cosmetic surgery is the "surgery of appearance." It is elective and focuses on the aesthetics of beauty.

What is the difference between how a board certified cosmetic surgeon is trained versus a plastic surgeon?

Cosmetic Surgeon

A board certified cosmetic surgeon first completes a residency such as general surgery, head and neck surgery (ENT), orthopedics, or plastic surgery. After residency, the surgeon receives further training called a ÒfellowshipÓ. This fellowship is dedicated to cosmetic surgery. The mindset throughout is focused on principles and techniques to surgically enhance appearance. Concepts of beauty and their creation are presented from varied perspectives, refined, and then taught to the cosmetic surgeon to bring the best any specialty has to offer.

Plastic Surgeon

A plastic surgeon first trains in general surgery, head and neck surgery (ENT), orthopedics, or oral maxillofacial residency training and then trains in a plastic surgery fellowship. Recently plastic surgery training programs have combined general surgery residency with plastic surgery fellowship training and decreased the overall number of training years.

With both pathways (combined residency or fellowship) , a plastic surgeon's mindset and approach is dedicated to the principles and techniques to correct body defects, burns, birth disorders and disease. Of the many plastic surgery training areas (body defects, burns, birth disorders and disease), a component of training may include cosmetic surgery.

Many plastic surgeons specialize in fields other than cosmetic surgery such as hand surgery, reconstructive surgery, trauma surgery, or burn surgery. Also, not every plastic surgery resident seems to be trained the same. To evaluate how comfortable graduating plastic surgeons residents were with cosmetic surgery, The Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery published a study. This 2008 study found over one third of graduating plastic surgery residents did not feel adequately trained in cosmetic surgery (read more here).

What does it mean if a physician is Board Certified?

Being board certified means that a physician has successfully completed an approved accredited training program and a rigorous evaluation process designed to assess the knowledge necessary to provide safe and quality patient care in that specialty. In the case of Cosmetic Surgery, the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) is the only board that certifies surgeons exclusively in the field of cosmetic surgery.

What is the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery?

The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery provides the only certifying board examination devoted to examining a surgeon's knowledge and competency in Cosmetic Surgery. It is an independent subspecialty board that examines and certifies physicians in general, facial and dermatological cosmetic surgery.

Prior to taking the examination, the surgeon must meet the qualifications demanded, including performing a minimum of 300 Cosmetic surgeries.

What is the American Board of Plastic Surgery?

The American Board of Plastic Surgery serves to certify qualified applicants in the field of plastic surgery. This includes the areas of Hand Surgery, Congenital Defect repair, Skin surgery, Trauma surgery, Reconstructive surgery, and Cosmetic surgery.

Prior to taking the examination, the surgeon must meet the qualifications demanded including the performance of 50 plastic surgery cases. These cases must be presented from at least 4 of the following 6 categories: Hand Surgery, Congenital Defect repair, Skin surgery, Trauma surgery, Reconstructive surgery, or Cosmetic surgery. It is not required to be from all of the categories.

What are the benefits of having a Board Certified Cosmetic Surgeon perform cosmetic procedures?

Cosmetic surgeons are dedicated to the art of cosmetic surgery. Their approach and mindset along with a strong knowledge base, high level of training, and practical experience place them amongst the most qualified surgeons to perform safe and proper cosmetic procedures. Cosmetic surgeons also offer a unique, multi-disciplinary approach to patient care that brings breadth and depth of expertise to the field.

What does Board Certification in Cosmetic Surgeons mean?

To claim Board certification in Cosmetic Surgery, the surgeon must first be board certified by an American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or equivalent surgical board, have achieved the status and qualifications needed to challenge the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery examination, and then successfully pass this two day examination.

It is important to note that weekend courses and residency training alone cannot ensure adequate training in cosmetic surgery. Also, surgeons who perform cosmetic surgery procedures and are board certified in other medical specialties but have not taken and passed the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery board examination are not Board Certified Cosmetic

Why should one see a Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon?

We encourage patients to seek medical professionals that specialize in a specific field. Doctors who are board-certified in Cosmetic Surgery are focused upon cosmetic surgery.

The American Medical Association (AMA) recommends that patients choose a health care provider based on his training, education, experience, and demonstrated practice history.

Ultimately, you should choose a surgeon based on the procedure you desire. How often does the surgeon perform the procedure and how well is it performed? If it is performed often and well and your interest is peaked, find out if the surgeon is properly trained and board certified.

If all checks out schedule a consultation and move forward as you feel appropriate. Overall you will likely find many qualified surgeons. Visit their offices and see if the feel and service is what you expect. We don't recommend shopping prices but rather shopping results and service as this will likely provide you with the best overall experience.

To see Dr. Pancholi's before and after pictures click here.

Where can I find more information on different cosmetic procedures?

What is the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery?

The American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) is a professional medical society whose members are dedicated to patient safety and physician education in cosmetic surgery. Founded in 1985, there are over 2500 members of the AACS. As many disciplines of medicine have developed and progressed cosmetic surgery within their field, the AACS is fortunate to have member representation from the leaders of these diverse fields. In this manner, the AACS has remained at the forefront of innovation, technique, and thought. Its diversity is its strength. This strength has allowed the AACS to be the organization representing cosmetic surgeons to the American Medical Association. The Academy, in conjunction with the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation, has educated upon and advanced cosmetic surgery throughout the world through its Annual Scientific Meetings, World Congress, research grants, and innovative surgical demonstrations.