Cosmetic vs. Plastic Surgeons
You may have heard it said that all plastic surgeons are not created equal. This has less to do with Ivy League education than you might expect. But it is important to understand that the fact that a doctor or cosmetologist offers a procedure does not mean that he or she has the expertise to perform it correctly.
Plastic Surgeon
“Plastic surgeon” is more than a title for a general practitioner who offers plastic surgery procedures. Rather, a plastic surgeon is a doctor who has completed specialized training in the sculpting and reconstruction of tissue. Even this is not enough to guarantee that your plastic surgeon has a passion for knowledge and excellence.
Plastic surgeons who are “board certified” have undergone testing and received credentials from the American Board of Plastic Surgery verifying a standard level of expertise. However, other societies, such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, offer memberships which can only be retained through continuing education and continued demonstrations of excellence.
Cosmetic Surgeon
While it is not uncommon to use the term “cosmetic surgeon” in reference to plastic surgeons, the term has different connotations. Any physician may refer to himself or herself as a cosmetic surgeon without the training and certification required for becoming a plastic surgeon. Cosmetic surgery simply refers to a procedure that changes your physical appearance.
Other aesthetic professionals, like dermatologists or cosmetologists, may refer to themselves as cosmetic specialists and offer cosmetic procedures, but are not plastic surgeons and do not hold the level of expertise in surgical and reconstructive procedures held by board certified plastic surgeons.
How to Choose
Many procedures may be safely and expertly performed by non-plastic surgeons, such as:
- Permanent makeup
- Some injectable facial fillers
- Microdermabrasion
- Skin disorder treatment
- Illness and disease diagnosis
However, if you are considering any type of plastic surgery procedure and many types of cosmetic procedures, the expertise and training achieved by a board certified plastic surgeon can help ensure the best possible outcome and mitigate any complications which may occur. This includes procedures such as:
- Liposuction
- Breast enhancement
- Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
- Cosmetic implants
- Facelift
- Other facial procedures
- Other body enhancements
A good rule to follow is to determine if your plastic surgeon offers a particular procedure. If he does, it probably requires a certain level of expertise which will benefit you to have at your disposal while you are undergoing the procedure. If your plastic surgeon does not offer a procedure, you can ask him who he would recommend to perform that procedure for you.
About the Author
If you would like to find a board-certified plastic surgeon in the Dallas or Fort Worth areas of Texas, please visit the website of Dr. Vasdev Rai, Dallas cosmetic surgeon at the Cosmetic Surgical Center today.
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