Many people often get confused about the concepts of plastic surgeries vs cosmetic surgeries. While these two types of surgical procedures are linked in many of their concepts, they are distinct in their purpose. In this article, we will help you better understand plastic surgeries vs cosmetic surgeries so that you are equipped with the right information if you need a procedure to get done.
What is plastic surgery?
Plastic surgery is a procedure done to reconstruct parts of the face and body that have been impacted due to the result of suffering from birth defects, disease, or trauma. Plastic surgery is thus done to correct any malfunctions that hamper the patient’s body. For instance, if a patient suffers an injury from an accident, they may need to get plastic surgery done to repair the injury and restore the normalcy of that body part. The end goal of plastic surgery is so that the patient’s body function may improve.
Some examples of plastic surgery procedures are cleft palate repair, hand repair surgery, burn repair surgery, breast reconstruction surgery, and scar revisions surgery, among other procedures done.
What is cosmetic surgery?
Cosmetic surgery is a procedure that is done to improve the appearance of a patient’s physical features. This surgery is non-essential. It is elective, and the patient opts in for it out of choice. For instance, if a patient is not too happy with their nose shape and size, they may have cosmetic surgery to correct their nose though it is not a medically required procedure. If a patient is losing hair, they may have a hair transplant done though this has no impact on their health. The end goal of cosmetic surgery is to give an aesthetic appeal to the patient and help them achieve the look they desire.
Some common examples of cosmetic surgery are rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, facelift, neck lift, brow lift, liposuction, laser resurfacing, breast reduction, and hair transplant, among other procedures done.
Training of doctors
To become a cosmetic surgeon, a doctor must complete their medical education and follow it up with a residency program in any surgical specialty. After this, they usually pursue a fellowship in cosmetic surgery and stay updated through workshops. They may get certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.
To become a plastic surgeon, a doctor must complete their medical education, followed by a residency in plastic surgery. They may also complete a fellowship. They get certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Risks of procedures
Both plastic and cosmetic surgeries pose risks that the patient should be prepared to face. These can include seroma (build-up of fluid under the skin), scarring, pain, the requirement for further revision surgery, and numbness. Your doctor will advise you on the possible side-effects that you can expect.
