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. Reconstructive plastic surgery may be covered by insurance, while cosmetic plastic surgery is elective and usually not covered.
Cosmetic surgeons are trained in aesthetic principles and facial cosmetic surgeons, in particular, specialize in aesthetic procedures for the head, face, and neck. Cosmetic surgery board certification requires surgical training followed by extensive and documented cosmetic surgery experience. In a survey of 5,135 people, 87 percent believed that surgeons should have special credentials and training to perform cosmetic procedures or to advertise themselves as aesthetic, aesthetic or plastic surgeons. A licensed doctor in any specialty can legally perform cosmetic procedures, so it's critical that you do your homework and choose a surgeon who not only specializes in the desired procedure, but also has the correct credentials.
The ABPS grants plastic surgery certification according to the American Board of Medical Specialties, which has maintained standards since 1933. According to the ABPS, board-certified plastic surgeons can only operate in properly certified centers and can only perform in-office procedures for those who also have hospital privileges. Cosmetic surgery includes surgical procedures aimed at improving appearance, either by adjusting the proportions of the face or body, increasing certain features or improving symmetry. While some plastic surgeons may apply for scholarships after residency to specialize in cosmetic surgery, no additional training is required to obtain board certification. If you want a surgeon certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or the American Board of Plastic Surgery, be sure to verify that fact by contacting your provincial college of doctors and surgeons or the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons.
For example, aesthetic rhinoplasty is a highly sought after procedure that shares similarities with functional rhinoplasty, a fundamental procedure in the training of plastic surgeons. While many plastic surgeons choose to complete additional training and also perform cosmetic surgery, the foundation of their surgical training remains reconstructive plastic surgery. Reconstructive plastic surgery may be considered medically necessary, but cosmetic surgery is almost always elective, meaning that the patient decides to undergo a procedure even though insurance companies do not consider it essential to the patient's health. A bigger problem than knowing the difference between surgeons is that many people seek cosmetic procedures from professionals who are not cosmetic surgeons.
On the other hand, a cosmetic surgeon could determine which technologies are best for a person and offer them all their options...
