Unlike cosmetic surgery, plastic surgery is a surgical specialty dedicated to the reconstruction of facial and body structures impacted by injury, burns or disease.
A board-certified plastic surgeon indicates a high degree of knowledge, training and experience related to plastic surgery and reconstructive procedures.
Plastic surgeons are called in when the following types of procedures are needed:
- Breast Reconstruction
- Burn Repair Surgery
- Congenital Defect Repair: Cleft Palate, Extremity Defect Repair
- Lower Extremity Reconstruction
- Hand Surgery
- Scar Revision Surgery
Plastic surgeons are not necessarily trained to perform cosmetic surgery procedures, as it is a different course of training. Cosmetic surgery training is completed after residency training.
Plastic Surgery vs. Cosmetic Surgery
There are big differences between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery? Plastic surgery, as defined above, covers the reconstruction of facial and body defects, while cosmetic surgery is related only to purely cosmetic or elective procedures only, like liposuction or tummy tucks.
Here's more information on how the two medical disciplines are different.
