Cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are often confused. Plastic surgery is often referred to as cosmetic surgery. This is incorrect. Even though there are many similarities between the two types of surgeries, they do not have any similarity, check this site.
Unique Objectives
Both cosmetic surgery and the plastic surgery are aimed at improving an individual’s appearance, but their philosophy, research goals, and training methods differ.
The Appearance is Improved by Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery is a set of techniques, procedures and principles that aim to enhance the appearance of the patient. The goal of this type of cosmetic surgery is to improve symmetry, beauty, and balance. The procedure is available for the neck, head and body. Cosmetic surgery is only possible because the treated area has normal function. Plastic surgeons, for example, are the ones who perform this procedure.
The following cosmetic surgery procedures are included in the category of Cosmetic Surgery:
Bread Enhancement: Augmentation, Reduction, Lift
Liposuction for Gynecomastia Treatment and Tummy Tuck
Facial Contouring, Chin/Cheek Enhancement, Rhinoplasty
Facial Rejuvenation: Browlifts, eyelid lifts, Necklifts, and Facelifts
Skin Rejuvenation: Botox, Filler Treatments, Laser Resurfacing
Plastic surgery aims to repair defects and restore appearance back to normal function
As a specialty, plastic surgery is devoted to the reconstruction of facial and body defects caused by birth disorders, trauma, disease, or injury. The goal is to correct body parts which are non-functional and reconstructive. Plastic surgeons are trained to perform cosmetic surgery and receive further training. However, the primary focus of their training is in reconstructive procedures. The American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons changed its name to American Society of Plastic Surgeons in 1999. The change in name was to make it clear that reconstructive and cosmetic surgeons were one and the same.
Examples of plastic surgery:
Burn Repair Surgery
Breast Reconstruction
The Cleft Palate: Repairing extreme defects
Hand Surgery
Scar revision surgery
Lower Extremity Repair