Cosmetic Surgery vs. Plastic Surgery: A Complete Guide to Understand the Difference

When you look at yourself in the mirror, you might see something you want to change in your appearance. It could be something you were born with or a change that happened to you due to aging or an injury. When people think about having these kinds of changes to their appearance medically, two terms usually come to their mind: cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery.

A lot of people think that these two words mean the same thing. You must have heard that a person is getting “plastic surgery” to get his nose fixed or getting “cosmetic surgery” to cure a burn. But these fields of surgery are not the same. They are very closely related, yet they have different goals, training requirements, and focus on different parts of patient care.

It's important to understand the difference between cosmetic and plastic surgery if you're thinking about getting any of these procedures. In this blog, we’ll talk about plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery and how to pick the right one for yourself.

What Is Plastic Surgery?

To understand what plastic surgery is, the first thing we should look at is its name. The Greek word “plastikos” is where the term "plastic" comes from. This means "to shape" or "to mold." It does not mean using plastic materials.

Plastic surgery is a medical branch dedicated to the fixing or reconstruction of facial and body defects due to birth abnormalities, injuries, burns, and disease. The basic purpose of plastic surgery is to restore function. It focuses on fixing a part of your body to work correctly again. Even though it typically tries to make the result look normal, the main goal is to fix the problem.

A plastic surgeon is trained to fix and reconstruct. For example, if you have a severe hand injury, a plastic surgeon will work to fix the tendons and skin so you can use your hand again without any problem. Similarly, if a child is born with a cleft lip, a plastic surgeon will reconstruct it so he can eat and speak properly.

So, what is plastic surgery truly all about? It is about "fixing" the defects so that they look and work normally. It is often considered medically necessary.  

What Is Cosmetic Surgery?

If compared with plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery is different. It is entirely about enhancing your appearance and makes you look better. The main goal here is to have an aesthetic, proportional and symmetrical look.

Generally, people who get cosmetic surgery are healthy. They don't need surgery for any medical reasons. Instead, they want to change how they look to feel better about themselves and boost their self-confidence or to look a certain way.
Since these procedures are not medically necessary and treated as choice, they are not covered under insurance.

A cosmetic surgeon is someone who works on techniques to make your face and body look better. This could be making a part of your body bigger, smaller, or smoother. For example, a facelift can make you look younger and liposuction can help you get rid of stubborn fat.

So, what is cosmetic surgery really all about? It is all about "improving" normal structures of your body to make you look better. It is not necessary, meaning it’s your choice to have it done or not.

Key Differences Between Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery

It is much easier to understand the differences between cosmetic and plastic surgery when you compare them side by side. The main difference between the two is in the "why" and the "how."

Let’s end the debate of cosmetic surgery vs plastic surgery by this simple breakdown of differences:

Cosmetic and plastic surgery have certain things in common, but the intent is really different. A plastic surgeon may perform breast reconstruction post-cancer (reconstructive), whereas a cosmetic surgeon does breast augmentation surgery for size enhancement (aesthetic).

Popular Cosmetic Surgery Procedures

If you want to look better or improve your appearance, there are many procedures available. Here are some of the most common procedures that people choose for their aesthetics.

• Breast Augmentation: This is one of the most common surgeries in the world. It involves using implants or fat transfer to increase the size of the breasts. Women choose this to get back their breast volume they lost after losing weight or having a baby, or simply just to make their breast shape look more rounded.
• Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty): A tummy tuck is a cosmetic procedure by which you can have a perfectly flat stomach. It helps you to get rid of extra fat and skin and makes your muscles in the abdominal wall tighter. This procedure is very popular among the women who just had a baby or massive weight loss which made their skin loose.
• Liposuction: This procedure helps you to get rid of fat that is hard to lose with just diet and exercise. It makes certain parts of the body thinner and changes their shape. You can have it done on your neck, arms, waist, hips, or thighs.
• Rhinoplasty (Nose Job): It can help with your breathing problems (which is plastic surgery), but most of the time people get it done to change the shape of their nose (cosmetic surgery). This could mean making your nose smaller, taking out a hump, or modifying the tip.
• Facelift: This procedure is a full treatment for wrinkles and sagging skin on your face due to aging. The surgery removes all the extra skin and tightens the tissues underneath to make you look younger.

Common Plastic Surgery Procedures

Most of the time, plastic surgery is a reconstructive procedure. They are meant to fix something that is not working well or doesn't appear good because of an accident or a specific condition. Here are some common procedures of plastic surgery:

• Breast Reconstruction: This is not the same as breast augmentation at all. Women who have had a mastectomy (removal of the breast) because of breast cancer may have breast reconstruction done. The surgeon rebuilds the breast mound to look like the other breast again.
• Burn Repair Surgery: When skin gets severely burned, it might get tight and scarred. It could be hard to move because of this. Plastic surgeons fix the skin and bring back movement using skin grafts and other techniques.
• Congenital Defect Repair: This includes procedures for newborns who are born with problems like a cleft lip or cleft palate. It also includes the surgery for extra fingers or toes.
• Hand Surgery: People with carpal tunnel syndrome, bad arthritis, or hand injuries due to an accident, commonly undergo this procedure. The goal is to make sure the hand regains its strength and has its normal movement back.
• Scar Revision: It is performed on large, painful, or unsightly scars from a past accident. A plastic surgeon uses different techniques to make the scar less visible and blend it with the skin around it.

Training and Qualifications of Surgeons

One of the most confusing parts in understanding cosmetic and plastic surgery is the training of their specialists. Are plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons the same? Not always.

Plastic surgeons have to go through a very specific training program. After medical school, they usually do a residency in general surgery and then another fellowship in plastic surgery in most of the countries including India. This training includes both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. They are often certified by the “National Medical Commission”.

There are many different types of doctors who can become cosmetic surgeons. A cosmetic surgeon may have begun their career as a general surgeon, dermatologist, or even an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) surgeon. They then decide to focus on aesthetics. They might get non-degree fellowships or go to special training courses to learn cosmetic procedures.

But why is this important? Because any licensed surgeon can legally perform cosmetic surgeries, it is important to evaluate their specific training. A board-certified plastic surgeon goes through rigorous training in surgery. You should always check a board-certified surgeon and how much training and experience they have specifically in the procedure you are looking for.

How to Choose the Right Procedure for You

It's a big step to decide to have surgery. You need to be sure about it whether you are going for cosmetic surgery or plastic surgery. Here are some easy steps to help you make a choice.

1. Define Your Goal: Think about why you want the surgery. Do you want to fix a physical problem in your body that causes pain? Then you probably need a plastic surgeon to fix that problem. But if you don’t like how your nose or tummy looks, then you should look for a cosmetic surgeon.
2. Realistic Expectations: You can look better after surgery, but it won't change your life or your personality. A tummy tuck would make your stomach flatter, a rhinoplasty would give you a perfect nose or you would look younger by undergoing a facelift surgery, but it won't guarantee the impact you’ll be looking forward to in your life. The key to being happy with the results is to have realistic expectations.
3. Health Status: You need to be in good health overall. If you smoke, have high blood pressure, or diabetes, surgery is usually a risky option. To make sure you are safe, your doctor will look at your health history.
4. Consider the Downtime: After every surgery, you need time to recover. You might need a week off work for a breast augmentation and two weeks or more for a full facelift. Make sure your lifestyle allows you to have recovery time.

How to Choose the Right Surgeon

Choosing the right plastic or cosmetic surgeon, for the procedure you are looking for, is the most important decision you will make. Don't only look at the cost of the procedure. You should look beyond just the expenses.

Here are some suggestions to help you choose the right surgeon for your cosmetic and plastic surgery. 

1. Check Board Certification: Make sure that a recognized medical board has certified the surgeon. This is the proof that they have finished their training and passed the certification.
2. Look for Experience: Look for an experienced surgeon who has performed the specific procedure you want multiple times. If you want a tummy tuck, you should find a surgeon that does procedures every week, not just once a year.
3. See Before and After Photos: Every skilled surgeon has a collection of their best work. Look at pictures of their previous patients who have a body type like yours. This will help you get a sense of the surgeon's style and ability.
4. Read Reviews: Check out reviews from people who have been there before. Watch how the surgeon and their staff treated them. Did they feel safe? Did they get answers to their questions?
5. The Consultation: Talk to the surgeon in person. You should be able to ask inquiries without feeling bad. A skilled surgeon will be honest about the dangers and won't try to get you to book surgery right away. Be very careful if a surgeon promises you the "perfect" results. There is no such thing as “perfect” surgery since it is a biological process and not a mechanical one.

Precautions and Recovery Tips After Surgery

After you undergo cosmetic or plastic surgery, you need to recover before you can see results. After the surgery, it's just as important to take care of yourself as it is to have the surgery.

1. Follow Doctor’s Advice: Your doctor will give you a list of things to do. This could include things like how to clean your wounds, what medicines to take, and what to wear.

• Wound Care: It is important to keep the surgical sites clean to prevent the infection. You should use a gentle, pH-balanced cleanser such as Nosoap Gentle Cleanser instead of harsh soaps to keep the skin calm.
• Compression: If you had a tummy tuck or liposuction, follow your doctor’s advice about wearing your compression garments to reduce the risk of fluid buildup.

2. Prioritize Scar Management: Scarring is one most common concern after getting cosmetic and plastic surgeries. You should start medical grade treatments once your incision gets fully closed.

• Silicone Gels: Use a silicone-based scar gel such as Opexa Scar Treatment Gel or Hexilak Ulta Gel for flattening scars and fading redness.
• Hydration: Use a ceramide-rich moisturizer such as SkinInspired Ceramide Cream Moisturizer or Aquasoft Moisturizing Cream for a faster skin repair and reduction in post-surgery itchiness as it helps to keep the skin barrier strong.

3. Rest and Skin Protection: It takes a lot of energy for your body to heal. You need to take proper rest and sleep. Don't try to get back to the gym or do heavy household work too soon.

New surgical scars are sensitive to the sunrays. You should prevent the scars from UV rays as it can cause them to darken permanently. Protect your healing skin with a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen such as Clinikally Sunprotect Sunscreen, Minimalist SPF 50+ Sunscreen  or CodeSkin UltraSensitive SPF 50+ Sunscreen to prevent your skin from scarring due to UV rays.

4. Stay Hydrated and Eat Well: Drink a lot of water. Eat protein rich foods that help your body heal by itself. Avoid eating salty meals because they can make swelling worse.

5. Avoid Smoking and Alcohol: Smoking makes healing difficult as it takes longer time and raises the risk of getting infection. Similarly, drinking alcohol might make your blood thinner and increase the chances of bruising. During your rehabilitation, it's better to avoid these things completely.

6. Watch for Warning Signs: You should know when to call the doctor, even though some pain and swelling are normal. Call your surgeon right away if you have a high temperature, excessive bleeding, or discomfort or pain that medicine doesn't help.

7. Be Patient: It can take weeks or even months for swelling to go away completely. It could take up to a year for you to see the ultimate result of a tummy tuck or rhinoplasty. If you look puffy or bruised in the first several weeks, don't worry, it’s a part of the procedure.

Conclusion

The first step to choosing a safe and smart choice is to know the difference between cosmetic and plastic surgery.

Keep in mind that plastic surgery is mostly done for medical reasons to fix problems and restore function. Cosmetic surgery is all about making you look better and feel better about yourself. Both need skilled and experienced surgeons, meticulous planning, and a commitment to recovery.

Always put your safety first, whether you're thinking about getting a tummy tuck, breast augmentation, or a reconstructive surgery. Choose a qualified surgeon, ask your queries, and maintain realistic expectations. The most important results of any procedure would be your health and happiness.

If you're thinking of making a change, take your time. Use the tips discussed in this blog to help you do your research. The right decision is one that helps you feel safe, healthy, and confident.