Posted on 10th May, 2023 at 1:19:02 AM
It’s not uncommon for most people to get confused between a plastic and a cosmetic surgeon. In this article, we will be taking a look at what differentiates them from one another, how they acquire their titles, what to look for in them while choosing one, and where to contact a qualified professional. Let’s get started!
Plastic Surgery
Although plastic surgery is widely known as a procedure to enhance the physical appearance of an individual, the main purpose of this procedure is to restore the damaged parts of the body and improve their function. Plastic surgeons use a wide array of techniques to perform surgeries – such as microvascular surgery, skin grafts, and flap surgery. Surgeons work on shifting living and healthy tissues to the victim area of the body. They can perform surgeries for people who suffer from intense burns, traumatic injuries, birth defects, tumors, and other life-threatening conditions.
Some examples of plastic surgery are;
Cosmetic Surgery
It is a blend of plastic surgery and other surgical and non-surgical techniques to enhance the appearance of a body. Cosmetic surgeons also perform surgeries on the head, neck, and trunk. The purpose of cosmetic surgery is to enhance the way an individual looks and feels about themselves. It is proven to boost a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem. This surgical procedure can be performed on any part of the face and body in general.
Some examples of cosmetic surgery are;
Difference in Certification
A board-certified plastic surgeon needs to complete their medical school graduation, and practice general surgery and plastic cosmetic surgery.
A board-certified cosmetic surgeon also needs to graduate from medical school. They have to practice procedures such as general surgery, maxillofacial surgery, dermatology, otolaryngology, and gynecology.
Rather Than Choosing The Title, Choose;
Instead of going after the title of a practitioner, look for these things –
1. Board Certification: Board certification is an extremely important factor to look for before booking surgery! The surgeon of your choice should have a board certification in the area they specialize in; whether it’s plastic surgery or cosmetic surgery. Keep in mind that these surgical procedures are personal and delicate, so you would want to choose a professional that is highly qualified to prevent yourself from any exposure to risks.
2. Field Experience: Another factor to consider is the surgeon’s experience in the surgeries that they will be performing. Focus on their success rate and the number of times they have performed these surgeries on different patients. You can straight up ask the surgeon about the number of times they have performed surgery in the past one or two years. Actively discuss the risk factors or complications the surgeon has witnessed and what measures they have taken to fix them.
3. Dedicated Care: Make sure to visit a hospital or center which offers plastic/cosmetic surgery along with genuine, high-quality aftercare. You’d need special, gentle care post-op so look for a surgeon with a dedicated team who could look after you.
4. Maximum Custom Satisfaction: Like how you look for customer reviews online before purchasing a product to ensure the reliability of the seller, the same way you should look for a professional with remarkable feedback from their patients. This will not only bring you peace but guarantee a safe surgical treatment.
Cosmetic surgeons cannot particularly perform plastic surgery, but plastic surgeons can surely get their hands on cosmetic surgery if they wish to do so. Plastic surgeons who also practice cosmetic surgeries often go by titles such as Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Facial Cosmetic Surgeon, etc., depending on the practitioner's specialty. But, some cosmetic surgeons also happen to use the above-mentioned titles, which is why it’s better to verify the surgeon beforehand.
