What is the difference between a Plastic Surgeon and a Cosmetic Surgeon?

Plastic surgeons are specifically trained in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. This training usually consists of three to five years of general surgery and an additional two to three years of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Plastic surgeons are board eligible or board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This certification confirms that the physician has the required training to conduct the various cosmetic and reconstructive techniques. He or she will also usually have surgical and admitting privileges at local hospitals. Cosmetic surgeon is a generic term referring to any physician who desires to perform elective or cosmetic surgery. He or she may actually be a family physician, OB-GYN, dermatologist, ENT, or some other designation. A medical license gives a doctor the ability to practice any type of medicine. Although these physicians may not have surgical privileges for plastic and reconstructive procedures at local hospitals, it is legal to perform these ...

A board certified plastic surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This is the only board approved by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgeons.  more

This difference is confusing to many people. A Plastic Surgeon has the degree of FRACS. You can be confident that this doctor has undergone an intensive post-graduate training in all aspects of Plastic Surgery and knows the anatomy and biology of the body and can prevent, and where necessary, treat any problems that may arise from your surgery. A cosmetic surgeon often has no more recognized training than a basic medical degree - the same as a General Practitioner. Many of them have no specialized post-graduate training and often do not have admitting rights to licenced and accredited hospitals - to treat their patients in the case of a problem occurring. They often proffer expertise in only one cosmetic procedure and are unable to offer service in the entire range of operations due to their lack of training. Only surgeons with FRACS after their name are eleigible to become members of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).  more

There is still ongoing confusion about this. A plastic surgeon is a doctor who has undergone eight years of post-graduate training in surgery – the last four of these specifically in plastic surgery – and who has passed an exam to complete his/her qualification. A cosmetic surgeon has only done a basic medical degree and has not done any post-graduate surgical training or sat any exam to assess surgical competence and is not recognized by the government regulatory bodies as a specialist in surgery.  more

The difference is the extensive amount of specialist surgical training a plastic surgeon undergoes. Any doctor can perform cosmetic surgery; however a Plastic Surgeon has completed an additional 5 to 7 years of surgical training to become qualified as a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.  more

Plastic Surgeons receive 4 years of medical school training, 3-5 years of General Surgery training, and an additional 2-3 years of Plastic Surgery training. Cosmetic Surgeons may be trained in other medical specialties, but are not trained in any Plastic Surgery techniques during their original medical training. Training in a procedure may involve a 2-3 day weekend course. Make sure you consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, or call 1-800-635-0635 to find one in your area.  more

Dr. Frank Isik is Board Certified by both the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Selecting a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon is very important because it means that the plastic surgeon currently meets and maintains the highest level of professional, educational, and ethical standards as set forth by an independent sanctioning body. In other words, a plastic surgeon that is Board Certified provides assurance that you are much more likely to be in "safe hands". There are several different organizations that award certifications in "cosmetic surgery", but these certificates are relatively easy to obtain and are absolutely no measure of the applicants training, ability or experience. Most diplomats of these other "Boards" are not plastic surgeons, have very little training in cosmetic surgery and do not have the high level of educational and professional standards. Dr. Frank Isik was Board Certified in Plastic Surgery in 1997 and recertified in 2007. He ...  more

a plastic surgeon does reconstructive surgery like if you have a deformed bodypart or if you've been in a bad accident.  more