Do you know the difference between a plastic and cosmetic surgeon?
May 7, 2020Hello to all my readers, the subject of this article is related to a topic which is one of the main stages of research for everyone who is considering having one or several plastic surgery procedures done.
From minimally invasive procedures to liposculpture, the field of plastic and cosmetic surgery has become very popular. With the technological advances in medicine, it’s now possible to undergo previously invasive procedures with significant downtime, on an out-patient procedure with minimal downtime.
But choosing the Doctor who will perform your surgery is a key point to get the desired results. Perhaps along the way you will see a mixture of the terms “cosmetic” and “plastic surgery”, but I want you to know that they are two different fields.
Cosmetic Surgeon or Plastic Surgeon?
When it comes to choosing the right surgeon, it’s important to know how cosmetic and plastic surgeons differ. For example, although both types of practitioners can be board certified, cosmetic surgeons usually focus on aesthetics; they don’t have as much training in certain areas whereas plastic surgeons are able to perform reconstructive surgeries for specific medical conditions and correct them.
Understanding Board Certification:
Another thing to consider is “board certification: Being board certified does not mean that every doctor or surgeon should be performing the procedures of your interest. With so much focus on minimally invasive procedures, it’s common to see various doctors offering Botox injections or dermal fillers as example. But a problem can arise for different types of procedures because, even though a doctor can complete specialized training for a particular procedure, they may not be qualified to handle complications if they occur.
Here is a typical comparison between the training of a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon (this can vary):
Cosmetic Surgeon:
Medical School for 6 years.
No additional training.
Plastic Surgeon:
Medical School for 6 years.
Basic Surgical Training (3 to 4 years).
Advanced Surgical Training in Plastic Surgery (5 years).
Fellowship (1 year).
Making the Decision
As I have always said in my previous articles, people considering surgery, either for personal enhancement or out of necessity, need to do their homework. No matter the reasons, I always emphasize the importance of looking for a qualified surgeon through the different Boards of Plastic Surgeons websites. This may take a little investment of your time to find someone who is qualified but it’s still better to proceed safely. In the field of plastic surgery, it is important that the doctor have the proper certifications. All plastic surgeons will provide their background, training and certifications for your review.
Nowadays you may find people on the internet calling themselves “cosmetic surgeons” – but this means they may not have completed the extensive training required to be a board certified plastic surgeon. Procedures vary and there may be no consistent or recognized qualifications beyond a medical degree that is required for many procedures, but you should look closely at the qualifications of the surgeon you are considering to perform your particular procedure(s). As example, in Costa Rica, you can check the Costa Rican Society of Plastic Surgeon’s register to make sure they are listed.
Also ask for before and after pictures of previous patients, perhaps reviews or videos with testimonials from other patients who have had surgeries with this particular doctor you are thinking of choosing, and how their experience was with the surgeon.
As always, I hope this article was helpful in your process of considering who to perform your plastic surgery.
Costa Rica is a major destination for plastic surgery and here a couple of good websites to get more information about board certified plastic surgeons:
Board Certified Plastic Surgeons
If you would like to see some activities you can do while recovering, you may look at some tours and sightseeing here:
In upcoming blogs, I will give you more tips and advice about health and happiness when planning plastic surgery.
