Facial plastic surgeons focus solely on procedures for the face and neck, while general plastic surgeons treat all areas of the face and body without specific training on the face or neck. Facial plastic surgeons usually do a residency in otolaryngology, which specializes in treating the ears, nose, and throat. Facial plastic surgeons are responsible for cosmetically improving or reconstructing all parts of the body in the head and neck region. Facial plastic surgeons also correct congenital problems, such as cleft deformities and ear anomalies.
There are two types of surgery that facial plastic surgeons perform. Facial cosmetic surgery involves procedures that seek to rejuvenate or aesthetically enhance specific areas of the face, such as the eyelids, nose, jawline, and neck. Cosmetic procedures are elective, meaning that patients decide to undergo these procedures in areas of the body that do not require an improvement in their function. Cosmetic surgeons are trained in aesthetic principles and facial cosmetic surgeons, in particular, specialize in cosmetic procedures for the head, face, and neck.
While basic surgical training is acquired in residency, the specialty of cosmetic surgery is generally learned after residency through practical experience. Plastic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery; cosmetic surgeons are certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. While both titles qualify a professional as a board-certified surgeon, the American Board of Medical Specialists only recognizes the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Facial plastic surgery is performed to reshape structures of the head and neck, usually the nose, ears, chin, cheekbones and the neckline.
People seeking this surgery may be motivated by a desire to rebuild the face after an injury or illness or to change a feature present from birth. Or they may want to reverse the signs of aging, eliminate contour irregularities, or make facial features appear in proportion to each other. Plastic surgeons repair injuries and birth defects (present at birth) that affect appearance or function. They use reconstructive and aesthetic techniques to restore areas affected by serious diseases, such as cancer.
They also perform procedures to improve physical characteristics for aesthetic reasons.
Cosmetic surgery of the head and neck, trunk area and extremities (arms and legs), such as facelifts, rhinoplasty (“nose surgery”), skin rejuvenation, tummy tuck and arm or leg stretching.
Cosmetic surgery includes plastic surgery and other techniques, both surgical and non-surgical, to improve appearance. Like plastic surgeons, cosmetic surgeons perform surgery on the head and neck, trunk area, and extremities. Plastic surgeons are guaranteed to be trained in cosmetic surgery, general surgery and reconstructive surgery.While it may seem like there isn't much difference initially, you'll find that choosing a qualified surgeon involves more than meets the eye. The difference between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon isn't the procedures they offer, but rather the surgeon's qualifications to perform those procedures. Elective aesthetic procedures are performed by doctors from a variety of medical fields, including plastic surgeons. During this fellowship, surgeons receive extensive training in all facial, breast, and body cosmetic surgery procedures, in addition to non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and perform a minimum of 300 individual cosmetic surgery procedures.
The first step in considering facial plastic surgery is a meeting with a surgeon to discuss the objectives, alternatives, and potential risks and benefits of various procedures. Board-certified cosmetic surgeons are trained on a scholarship 1 to 2 years after residency that focuses solely on aesthetic procedures or demonstrate equivalent rigor through their practical experience. Plastic surgery aims to correct dysfunctional areas of the body and, by definition, is reconstructive in nature. Before being able to appear for the joint exam, surgeons must perform a minimum number of common cosmetic procedures that demonstrate that they are specialists in the necessary procedures.
Mayo Clinic facial plastic and reconstructive surgery specialists treat the following conditions and offer a full range of surgical services and procedures, although not all are available at every center. Reconstructive plastic surgeons treat people with medical problems that affect appearance, shape, or function. Complete 5 to 6 years of medical residency with training in both general surgery and plastic surgery, including surgery for cosmetic reasons. General plastic surgery procedures are usually reconstructive in nature and are concerned with the restoration of body and facial deformities resulting from birth defects, injuries, burns and diseases.
A significant number of plastic surgeons choose to focus their practice on cosmetic surgery, and as such, the terms are often used interchangeably. Therefore, the title of “certified plastic surgeon” indicates a certain level of training and experience with respect to plastic surgery, but does not indicate the same with respect to cosmetic surgery, since the residency training required to obtain certification in plastic surgery may not include training related to many common cosmetic procedures. At Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota, facial plastic surgery is performed by surgeons certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
