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There’s a healthy, thriving industry related to changing people’s appearances.
The cosmetic surgery market already has a $63 billion value and is growing at a nearly 10% rate. So, what about plastic surgery?
While cosmetic and plastic surgery are regularly used interchangeably, they actually have some important differences you should know about. They also share many similarities.
Study the points below to learn more about cosmetic surgery vs plastic surgery so that you’re prepared to make a decision.
Cosmetic Surgery Enhances the Current Appearance
You speak to a cosmetic surgeon when you want to enhance your appearance for personal reasons. This could involve a full-fledged invasive surgery or little touchups that are minimally invasive.
The procedures often involve adjusting the shape, appearance, or position of different facial or bodily features. With these types of procedures, people typically have certain goals in mind related to their beauty or self-image.
Plastic Surgery Corrects Defects, Injuries, and Trauma
People generally turn to a plastic surgeon when fixing some sort of condition. It has a cosmetic element but is also reconstructive in nature.
Patients choose plastic surgery when they deal with issues like burns, cuts, birth defects, and other such issues. In many cases, it’s not a surgery that patients opt for electively but is one that comes about due to situations that they couldn’t predict.
They Have Many of the Same Approaches
So, what about the similarities? Both of these approaches involve a surgery procedure, and they often use the same techniques.
For example, a person might break their nose due to the blunt force trauma of a car accident. The patient will need rhinoplasty, in addition to other forms of facial reconstruction.
This is different from the type of nose job that a person gets when they want a cosmetic change. However, the procedure involves the same instruments and philosophies.
Consider How Insurance Comes Into Play
As with any form of medical care, you need to get to know how your insurance comes into play and whether you can use it. The main difference is that you can generally use health insurance for reconstructive plastic surgery, but can’t always use it for cosmetic procedures.
A few exceptions are made for cosmetic procedures. For example, women with large breasts might be able to get their breast reduction surgery covered by a healthcare plan if it creates pain and discomfort.
Likewise, breast cancer patients can use insurance to pay for implants following a mastectomy.
Check with your health insurance provider to know for sure how this comes into play and whether or not you’ll be able to curb some of the costs this way.
Learn the Types of Procedures
As you explore cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery, it helps that you get to know the various types that are commonplace. There are plenty of cosmetic procedures that people often refer to as plastic surgery colloquially.
Here are some of the most common cosmetic procedures:
- Breast enhancement
- Liposuction
- Rhinoplasty (Nose job)
- Tummy tucks
- Cheek augmentation
Likewise, there are some common forms of plastic surgery that people get when they need reconstructive work. Handling these procedures will often provide a boost to a person’s psyche as they heal or contend with the issue.
Examples of plastic surgery include:
- Surgical procedures to repair burns
- Procedures to cover scars
- Breast reconstruction surgery
- Fixing a Cleft palate
- Removal of tumors
Check with a medical professional to know for sure which type of procedure you need.
The Medical Designations Are Different
With cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery, doctors will usually need different board certifications. For cosmetic surgery, the doctors must be accredited by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS).
In addition to passing medical school and the boards, these professionals must have also completed a fellowship that deals strictly with cosmetic surgery.
If you are opting for plastic surgery, the doctor must be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). The doctors must be board-certified, having completed medical school. They must have also completed a residency in reconstructive surgical procedures.
Depending on the type of procedure you’re getting, the doctor might also need other areas of focus. For instance, some cosmetic or plastic surgeons specialize in maxillofacial procedures and must have completed a residency in this specific area.
Know What to Look For in a Doctor
No matter which of these procedures you need, your success with it comes down to finding a good doctor. Look them up in the board registry and comb through their history.
Find out where they complete medical school and the year they passed the board exam. Learn about their residency and history working in the medical profession.
Above all, find the help of some people you know who have opted for a procedure. They can provide you with references to make it easier for you to find a quality match. Learn about their experience with the doctor and how satisfied they are with the procedure.
From there, you can put together a list of doctors to visit. For instance, if you want a facelift in Los Angeles, speak to a handful of different professionals on the work they offer and sit in on a free consultation.
Understand Cosmetic Surgery vs Plastic Surgery
This information is helpful when you’re learning about cosmetic surgery vs plastic surgery. Use this article to help you get the procedure that you need. Use these words of advice and read our other posts about medical procedures that can benefit you.
