The procedures, techniques and principles of cosmetic surgery are completely focused on improving the patient's appearance. Improving aesthetic appeal, symmetry and proportion are the key objectives. Cosmetic surgery can be performed on all areas of the head, neck and body. Because cosmetic procedures treat areas that work properly, cosmetic surgery is designated as elective. Elective cosmetic procedures are performed by doctors from a variety of medical fields, including plastic surgeons.
Cosmetic plastic surgery (also called cosmetic surgery) refers to procedures that improve the appearance of the face and body. They include tummy tuck, breast augmentation and reduction, eyelid surgery, nose remodeling (rhinoplasty), face lift, and fat removal (liposuction).
Cosmetic surgeons
are certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, while plastic surgeons are accredited by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. However, the American Board of Medical Specialists only recognizes the American Board of Plastic Surgery.Currently, 92% of board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States are members of the ASPS, which represents 11,000 plastic surgeons worldwide. Residency training in plastic surgery involves a series of mandatory plastic and reconstructive surgeries, of which cosmetic procedures and principles are part. Because any licensed doctor can legally perform cosmetic surgery, regardless of how you received cosmetic surgery training, it's extremely important that you do your research when choosing a cosmetic surgeon. Because cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery have different practice objectives based on a set of specific procedures, it only follows that the training and certification process of a board-certified plastic surgeon will be very different from that of a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Regardless of the procedure you are undergoing, whether cosmetic or reconstructive, be sure to see a board-certified plastic surgeon in your area. During this fellowship, surgeons receive extensive training in all facial, breast and body cosmetic surgery procedures, in addition to non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and perform a minimum of 300 individual cosmetic surgery procedures. Therefore, the title “board-certified plastic surgeon” indicates a certain level of training and experience with respect to plastic surgery, but does not indicate the same with respect to cosmetic surgery, since the residency training required to obtain board certification in plastic surgery may not include training with respect to many common cosmetic procedures. Plastic surgery is a broad category of procedures that includes both cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery. While both cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery seek to improve the patient's body, the general philosophies that guide training, research, and goals for patients are different.
The only accredited plastic surgery board in the United States is the American Board of Plastic Surgery. However, you can reduce your risks by performing the surgery at an accredited facility, such as Yale New Haven Hospital (where many Yale Medicine surgeons practice), and with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Since there is no legal limitation on who can call themselves a plastic surgeon, it can be difficult to determine who is truly qualified to perform plastic surgery. Plastic surgery is a big part of reconstructive surgery.
In addition, some plastic surgeons perform head-to-toe reconstructions, whether on the face, hands, or even feet. General cosmetic surgeons can be certified by the American Board of Aesthetic Surgery (ABCS), while those who specialize in facial cosmetic surgery are certified by the American Board of Aesthetic Facial Surgery (ABFCS), which certifies cosmetic surgeons who specialize in cosmetic procedures of the head, face and neck.
