Nowadays, it’s common to hear about people booking surgeries; there are anywhere between 12.0 to 21.4 operations per 100,000 people in the US. While some are necessary for health reasons, others are elective and help improve people’s confidence and mental health.
As for the latter category, you may refer to these procedures as “cosmetic surgery” and “plastic surgery.” Many people think they’re synonymous, but that’s not actually the case.
So when it comes to cosmetic surgery vs plastic surgery, what’s the difference? Read on to find out all the important details.
What is Cosmetic Surgery?
The main purpose of cosmetic surgery is to improve the patient’s appearance. It’s considered elective and focuses on increasing aesthetic appeal, symmetry, and proportion. You can have cosmetic surgery done on all areas of the body, including the face, neck, stomach, and breasts.
Some common procedures include:
- Breast enhancement
- Facial contouring
- Body contouring
- Facial rejuvenation
- Non-surgery procedures (e.g. dermal fillers and chemical peels)
What’s Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery is actually a broader term than cosmetic surgery and includes it, as well as reconstructive surgery. The main purpose of plastic surgery is to correct things, meaning that it’s usually deemed medically necessary.
Often, patients go through plastic surgery to address defects or damage that resulted from accidents, injuries, diseases, or birth disorders. So not only does plastic surgery restore functionality, but also help patients achieve a more “normal” appearance, which includes aesthetic aspects.
Some common procedures here include:
- Breast reconstruction
- Burn surgery
- Hand surgery
- Cleft lip/palate repair
- Trauma reconstruction
Cosmetic Surgery vs Plastic Surgery
Now you know more about cosmetic and plastic surgery; plastic surgery is an all-encompassing term that includes cosmetic surgery. But there are even more nuances when it comes to the difference between cosmetic and plastic surgery.
Let’s take a look at the important details regarding the two.
Training
What may surprise most people is that the training for a cosmetic surgeon vs plastic surgeon is different.
For plastic surgery, surgeons will have to complete their training by completing a post-graduate residency program. This can either be an integrated program that takes six years total (three years of general surgery, and three years of plastic surgery) or an independent program that takes eight years total (five years of general surgery, and three years of plastic surgery).
During these residencies, the programs might include cosmetic surgery. However, if they do, it’ll be very broad.
For cosmetic surgery, there are actually no American residency programs that cater specifically to this field. This means that surgeons will typically complete a residency program first, and then do a post-residency fellowship training program in cosmetic surgery afterward.
A board-certified plastic surgeon can do a wide range of surgeries. This means they’re more of a generalist than a specialist.
The cream of the crop are board-certified cosmetic surgeons. This is a highly specialized field and it takes even more training and effort to become one than a board-certified plastic surgeon. A medical professional has to go through one year of certified fellowship training in cosmetic surgery with the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.
Types of Procedures
As stated before, plastic surgery is a broader term, which means that surgeons can do cosmetic procedures in addition to everything else.
The types of procedures in plastic surgery include:
- Disorders
- Hand surgery
- Reconstructive surgery
- Trauma surgery
- Congenital defect repair
- Cosmetic surgery
As for plastic surgery, the procedures here include:
- Breast surgery
- Tummy tuck
- Liposuction
- Face surgery
Regulation and Certification
With cosmetic surgery, it can be performed by doctors from various medical backgrounds. This is as long as they have undergone the necessary cosmetic surgery training.
On the other hand, plastic surgeons must be board-certified by certain organizations, such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This ensures that they have completed rigorous training in both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures.
Insurance Coverage
Generally speaking, plastic/reconstructive surgery is covered by insurance, while cosmetic surgery isn’t, since it’s usually elective. However, don’t just automatically assume that everything’s so black and white.
What’s important is that you communicate with your specific insurance company, as they’ll have their own criteria for coverage. This is especially true in terms of which plan you’re subscribed to.
Which Should You Get?
The main difference between cosmetic and plastic surgery is personal desire vs medical necessity. With the former, you’ll enhance your physical appearance, but you’ll need to manage your expectations, especially in regard to how it’ll impact your self-esteem. As for the latter, the goals may be both functional and aesthetic, so consider how it’ll improve your day-to-day activities or relieve discomfort.
Looking past this, what else should you factor in?
Health and Medical History
In general, you must be in good health for any sort of surgery, as it comes with certain risks. However, some plastic surgeries may be more urgent (e.g. skin grafting for burn victims) and health assessments are vital to planning the safest approach.
Long-Term Impact
With cosmetic surgery, you should think about how long the results will last. Some procedures may require future maintenance, and they may impact your natural aging process too. As for plastic surgery, you’ll mainly consider how it’ll affect your quality of life, including improvements in physical activity or self-confidence.
Financial Considerations
As we’ve said earlier, cosmetic procedures aren’t typically covered by insurance. While you may have to pay out of pocket, many surgeons offer payment plans or financing options, so keep that in mind. Reconstructive surgeries may be covered by insurance if they’re deemed medically necessary, but always ensure that you understand the individual costs since some of them may be considered cosmetic (and therefore, aren’t covered).
Which Procedures Are You Interested In?
It’s surprising, but there are differences between cosmetic surgery vs plastic surgery. There are some cases where you can use them interchangeably, but not always.
Essentially, cosmetic surgery is a more specific term that falls under plastic surgery. Also, it’s something that’s usually elective, while plastic surgery is more for reconstructive purposes.
Regardless, you deserve to look and feel your best. So whether that’s through cosmetic or plastic surgery, Dr. Valdez is here to help.
If you’re interested in having a procedure done, then contact us today. Dr. Valdez is a renowned surgeon with many certifications and years of experience.
References:
- Cosmetic Surgery vs Plastic Surgery | Cosmetic vs Plastic Surgeons | ABCS. https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/. Accessed October 4, 2024. https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/patient-resources/patient-resourcescosmetic-surgery-vs-plastic-surgery/
- Stephen Chidyllo MD, Friday J 19. Is breast reduction covered by health insurance? American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Accessed October 4, 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/is-breast-reduction-covered-by-health-insurance
- Bicket MC, Chua KP, Lagisetty P, et al. Prevalence of Surgery Among Individuals in the United States. Ann Surg Open. 2024;5(2):e421. doi:10.1097/AS9.0000000000000421