Plastic Surgery vs Cosmetic Surgery: What’s the Difference?
If you’ve always thought plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery were one and the same, you’re not alone.
A significant number of plastic surgeons choose to focus their practice on cosmetic surgery, and as such, the terms are often used interchangeably. But this is not technically correct.
Plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are closely related specialties, but they are not the same.
So what’s the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery?
While both plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery deal with improving a patient’s body, the overarching philosophies guiding the training, research, and goals for patient outcomes are different.
What’s the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery?
What is plastic surgery?
Plastic Surgery focuses on repairing defects to reconstruct normal function and appearance.
Plastic surgery is used to repair and reconstruct missing or damaged tissue and skin.
The main aim of plastic surgery is to restore the function and appearance of tissue and skin so it’s as close to normal as possible.
Plastic surgery can often help improve a person’s self-esteem, confidence and overall quality of life.
Plastic surgery is different from cosmetic surgery, which is surgery carried out solely to change a person’s appearance to achieve what they feel is a more desirable look.
Plastic surgery is defined as a surgical specialty dedicated to reconstruction of facial and body defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease.
Plastic surgery is intended to correct dysfunctional areas of the body and is, by definition, reconstructive in nature. While many plastic surgeons choose to complete additional training and perform cosmetic surgery as well, the basis of their surgical training remains reconstructive plastic surgery.
Types Plastic Surgery Procedures:
- Breast Surgery
- Hand Surgery
- Face Surgery
- Body Surgery
- Cancer Surgery
- Transgender Surgery
What is cosmetic surgery?
Cosmetic Surgery focuses on enhancing your appearance
The procedures, techniques, and principles of cosmetic surgery are entirely focused on enhancing a patient’s appearance. Improving aesthetic appeal, symmetry, and proportion are the key goals.
An aesthetic surgery can be performed on all areas of the head, neck, and body. Since cosmetic procedures treat areas that function properly, cosmetic surgery is designated as elective.
Cosmetic procedures are performed by doctors from a variety of medical fields, including plastic surgeons.
Types of Cosmetic Surgery Procedures:
- Breast Enhancement: Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift, Breast Reduction
- Facial Contouring: Rhinoplasty, Chin, or Cheek Enhancement
- Facial Rejuvenation: Facelift, Eyelid Lift, Neck Lift, Brow Lift
- Body Contouring: Tummy Tuck, Liposuction
- Skin Rejuvenation: Laser Fraction
Cosmetic surgery is the enhancement of your appearance through various surgical and medical techniques.
It can be performed anywhere on the body including the face, neck, chest and tummy. The area to be treated is not flawed, but may need to be aesthetically enhanced according to the patient. It is also called aesthetic surgery.
About your Plastic Surgeon: Mr Antony Fitton
MB, BS(hons)., MD., FRCS(eng)., FRCS(plast).
Mr Antony R Fitton qualified at the Royal London Hospital in 1989 with distinction in Surgery. He holds a MB, BS(hons)., MD., FRCS(eng). and FRCS(plast). (Fellowship at the Royal College of Surgeons).
He is a member of BAPRAS (British Association for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons), BAAPS (British Association for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons), BSSH (British Society for Surgery of the Hand).
Mr Fitton has received the Paton & Masser Award and the CM Matthews Award from the Royal College of Surgeons of England or his research in nerve injury.
Mr Fitton is licensed as Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon by the GMC.
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