There is a lot of confusion surrounding the terms “plastic surgery” and “cosmetic surgery.” This is unsurprising, given that the two are often used interchangeably. However, there are important differences between the two specialties. In this blog post, we will explore those differences and help you understand which procedure might be right for you.
What is Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery is a branch of medicine that deals with the correction or restoration of form and function. It can be divided into two main categories: cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery. Cosmetic surgery is performed to improve the appearance of an individual, while reconstructive surgery is performed to correct defects or deformities. Plastic surgery is usually performed by a plastic surgeon, who has completed specialized training in this field. Plastic surgery can be used to correct a wide variety of defects, including birth defects, burns, trauma, and disfigurement. It can also be used for aesthetic purposes, such as breast augmentation or rhinoplasty. Plastic surgery is a highly skilled and delicate profession, and its success depends on the surgeon’s ability to create natural-looking results.
What is Cosmetic Surgery?
Cosmetic surgery is a sub-specialty of plastic surgery that focuses on improving the appearance of patients through surgical and non-surgical procedures. Cosmetic surgery can be performed on any area of the body, but common procedures include facelifts, breast augmentation, liposuction, and nose reshaping. Cosmetic surgery is often elective, which means that it is not medically necessary. However, in some cases, cosmetic surgery can be performed to correct birth defects or to improve the function of an affected body part. Cosmetic surgery is typically more expensive than plastic surgery and is not covered by most health insurance plans. As a result, patients who are considering cosmetic surgery should be prepared to pay for the procedure out-of-pocket.
Difference between Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery
- Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty dedicated to the reconstruction of facial and body defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease. Plastic surgeons strive to improve patient’s appearance and self-image through both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Plastic surgery is broadly divided into two categories: cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
- Cosmetic surgery is undertaken to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve the patient’s appearance and self-esteem. It includes surgeries like breast augmentation, breast lift, brow lift, eyelid surgery, facelift, Liposuction, Rhinoplasty, etc.
- Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors, or disease. It is generally performed to improve function but may also be done to approximate a normal appearance.
- Some common examples of reconstructive plastic surgery include breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer patients, cleft lip and palate surgery for children born with this condition, hand surgery for injured workers, etc.
- Whether Plastic Surgery or Cosmetic Surgery is right for you depends on many factors including your goals and expectations as well as the nature of the problem you are hoping to correct.
A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon can help you decide which type of surgical procedure is right for you.
Conclusion
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) defines plastic surgery as a surgical specialty focused on the restoration, reconstruction, or alteration of the human body. Cosmetic surgery, on the other hand, is a surgical procedure performed to improve appearance. While there is some overlap between the two specialties – for example, breast augmentation can be both cosmetic and reconstructive – there are key distinctions between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery that you should understand before making any decisions about your care. If you have questions about whether or not plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery is right for you, please consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
