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- Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery
What is Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery ?
Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery are two related but distinct fields of surgery that focus on reconstructing or enhancing the appearance of the body.
Plastic Surgery
Definition: Plastic surgery involves reconstructive procedures aimed at restoring form and function to parts of the body affected by injury, illness, congenital defects, or other conditions.
Key Features:
- Reconstructive Surgery: Procedures that restore appearance and function after trauma, cancer surgery, or congenital anomalies (e.g., cleft lip and palate repair, breast reconstruction).
- Burn Repair: Treatment and reconstruction of injuries caused by burns.
- Hand Surgery: Repairing injuries and conditions affecting the hands and upper extremities.
- Microvascular Surgery: Reattaching or reconstructing tissues and organs using microsurgery techniques.
Cosmetic Surgery
Definition: Cosmetic surgery focuses on enhancing or improving the appearance of specific body parts for aesthetic reasons.
Key Features:
- Procedures: Common cosmetic surgeries include:
- Breast Augmentation or Reduction: Enhancing or reducing breast size.
- Rhinoplasty: Reshaping the nose.
- Liposuction: Removing excess fat from specific areas of the body.
- Facelift: Reducing wrinkles and sagging skin to create a more youthful appearance.
- Tummy Tuck: Removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen.
Differences
- Purpose: Plastic surgery primarily aims to restore function and appearance after trauma or congenital issues, while cosmetic surgery focuses solely on enhancing appearance.
- Insurance Coverage: Reconstructive procedures may be covered by insurance, whereas cosmetic procedures are usually elective and not covered.
Training
Surgeons in both fields complete a residency in general surgery followed by specialized training in plastic surgery. Board certification in plastic surgery ensures a surgeon’s training and expertise in both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures.