Cosmetic Surgery Vs Plastic Surgery: Different Goals And Difference In Training

There is a common misconception that plastic surgery is same as cosmetic surgery and visa-versa. However, this is not the case. It is very crucial to know the different skill set that differ the two from each other. These are two similar-sounding professions with completely dissimilar procedures. The major differences are created on the terms of the focus and the training of each of these fields. 

What is Cosmetic Surgery and Plastic Surgery?

Cosmetic surgery is a unique division under medicine that mainly revolves around the enhancing of physical appearance. Such operations are carried out through surgical techniques. The surgery can be executed on various areas like head, neck and body. Cosmetic surgery is chosen as the treated areas lack aesthetic appeal, it has nothing to do with the internal functioning of the body part. Cosmetic surgeon needs to have a surgical background with specialization in a discipline of surgery.

However, a surgical specialty that only concentrates on the reconstruction of facial and body defects due to diseases, birth disorders, trauma and burns is known as plastic surgery. A plastic surgeon’s training focuses primarily on reconstructing parts of the body that have been damaged or disfigured by accident, illness, or other such factors. It is intended to enhance dysfunctional areas of the body and reform it. 

Difference in Education and Practise

Cosmetic Surgery and Plastic surgery not only differ in procedures and outcomes but also differ in the training and education. There are no residency programs in India that only focus on cosmetic surgery. For pursuing cosmetic surgery, doctors come from various backgrounds in medical college, preferably in a surgical specialty. In India, the speciality of Cosmetic Surgery is in an evolving phase. A cosmetic surgeon in India focuses only on aesthetic procedures as the forte of his speciality. As the experience of cosmetic surgeon increases, he or she comes to be known as an expert in the chosen cosmetic surgery procedures. Refinements and adoption of latest advances happen through workshops, seminars and lectures. 

In USA, ABCS, an independent organisation, serves the mission to cater to the public by promoting the safe and ethical practise of the speciality of cosmetic surgery. Over the years the organisation has also established a strict set of criteria to ensure experience and proficiency in this surgery.

On the other hand, plastic surgeons also follow a similar path. However, after concluding their specialization in general surgery, they do a further specialization in plastic surgery and get a degree by the Medical Council of India. In the field of plastic surgery, the additional training is optional. MCI certification is extremely important in determining a surgeon’s qualifications. 

There is a necessary need for the healthcare professionals as well as the patients to understand the difference between the two. While choosing a surgeon for a procedure, this helps the patients to make informed decision. It is also a fact that during surgical training in medical college, both cosmetic and plastic surgeons aren’t exposed much to aesthetic surgery. Experience and expertise in cosmetic surgery come later in career through making a choice to do only aesthetic surgery. Memberships and associations with international organizations catering to cosmetic surgery, participations in their programs, help a lot in widening the horizon and keeping at par with international standards.

Foundations of Cosmetic Surgery are laid during Surgical Training

A surgeon undergoes several years of intensive training in the chosen field of surgery. It takes nearly ten years for a doctor to become a surgeon and several years of focused experience after that to become a cosmetic surgeon. New techniques and procedures are easily adopted by cosmetic surgeons as the foundations of surgery have been already laid. Later what counts is the experience and results of a surgeon’s chosen field of cosmetic surgery.