Cosmetic surgery is surgery that modifies or improves the appearance of a physical feature, irregularity, or defect. Sometimes cosmetic surgery is known as Aesthetic Surgery. It is usually not covered by insurance. Plastic Surgery includes Cosmetic Surgery but also includes surgeries that reconstruct tissue that is injured, burned, or defective. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, they are have specific meanings. In addition, many other procedures are offered in the plastic and cosmetic surgery umbrella, such as skin care and dermal fillers or Botox injections that are offered by Medspas. Each state has different requirements for the training and experience that is required for health care providers in these areas.
People who are interested having plastic or cosmetic surgery are flooding search engines and host sites across the Internet to find the best plastic or cosmetic surgeon for the job. So many plastic and cosmetic surgeons advertise their services that it may seem a little overwhelming to choose the best one for your needs. Which websites and surgeons are reputable? Who can be trusted? Remember that almost every plastic surgery clinic offers consultations and they are often free of charge. This gives you a wonderful way to evaluate your potential surgeon. Think about using the Plastic Surgeon Evaluation Checklist on this website. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and evaluate different surgeons before you choose.
Doctors who are not trained as Plastic Surgeons are now going performing “Cosmetic” surgery procedures. You may find that your dentist, gynocologist, ENT doctor (Ear, Nose, Throat), or favorite Medspa are anxious to do cosmetic surgery procedures. Make sure that the doctor you choose is really qualified to perform your procedure. An exacting evaluation of your doctor is the only way to make sure you will be happy with the results of the surgery.
During your preliminary consultation with a surgeon, make note of your impressions of the doctor, his staff and the facility. What is their outlook on surgery? Does it coincide with yours? How about prices? Are they willing to accommodate your budgeting needs? Are they ABPS board certified (American Board of Plastic Surgery) or ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons) members? Do these certifications both guarantee a specially-trained and experienced surgeon? (Hint: yes, in order to become a member of the ASPS, your Plastic Surgeon must have completed medical school, a 3-6 year residency training program in Plastic Surgery, and a 2-3 year residency training program in General Surgery or Otolaryngology.) Do they have an established track record? The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), founded in 1967, is the leading professional organization of plastic surgeons certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who specialize in cosmetic plastic surgery. Your plastic surgeon may belong to this group, which only admits Board Certified Plastic Surgeons. If you are talking to a doctor who is not a plastic surgeon, they may assert that they are Board Certified – but their certification may not be in plastic surgery and they may not be specially trained as a surgeon at all.
The best way to find a surgeon who fits your needs is by word-of-mouth recommendations from your friends or family, along with carefully screening your surgeon(s) in regards to their education and training background (ABPS & ASPS) . What surgeries are their specialty? Hopefully they perform a variety of procedures and perform them well, ranging from liposuction, breast augmentation, breast lifts, arm lifts, tummy tucks, nose surgery, body lifts, to face lifts. Check and see if a particular Cosmetic Surgeon is willing to customize your procedure based on your requirements, desires, and goals.
Plastic Surgeons Must Meet Stringent Requirements
First, you should understand that a Plastic Surgeon provides a service not only for elective cosmetic patients but also for individuals that desire help through reconstruction or correction of physical defects via reconstructive plastic surgery. A Plastic Surgeon’s education goes far beyond a simple bachelor’s or doctor of medicine degree, and will require years of specialized training as well as apprenticeships before one is qualifies to have their own practice.
Plastic Surgeons perform a variety of procedures, which can include musculoskeletal reconstruction, skin grafts, flaps, and tissue transfers. These types of procedures require the professional to master the required skills. As you can see not all Plastic Surgeons do cosmetic surgery only, but they can also work with burn victims, those with birth defects or abnormalities, and motor vehicle accident, and blunt trauma victims.
In order to become a Plastic Surgeon, individuals must be prepared for the painstaking training that any physician would expect. Once a person has received their bachelors’ degree, he/she must take the Medical College Admission Test or MCAT and score well in order to apply to a four-year medical school (MD degree program). Here the student will earn a Doctor of Medicine degree, allowing them to use of those prestigious initials of MD after their name. In most cases, four years of medical school provide the student with the knowledge of such subjects as biology, anatomy, epidemiology, physiology, pathology, and caring for the patient. The last two years are normally spent involved in investigating medical deliberation, conducting research, and participating in rotation at a clinic or hospital, along with taking specialized classes such as clinical surgery and medicine.
After receiving the Doctor of Medicine degree, the next step along the road to becoming a Plastic Surgeon is to join a residency program where new graduates can start specializing in your surgical field. At this point, doctors begin visiting hospitals, clinics, and private practices in order to learn hands on. According to the program and specialty, Plastic Surgeons may require two to three years of residency along with the five to seven spent in general surgery or otolaryngology training after completing 4 years of medical school. During a residency, doctors will also have to complete the licensing exam in order to become certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Being a Plastic Surgeon, it is also necessary to have other character aspects, including ethical behavior, good judgment, technical expertise, and interpersonal skills, which, combined with education, are a few of the requirements to being a qualified and effective Plastic Surgeon.
Surgeons that perform Plastic Surgery in Your home town will be able to provide you with the information you need to make a decision as well as before and after photos of their own cases. This helps give you an idea of what you can expect. Be sure that your chosen Plastic Surgeon is a trained and Board certified Plastic Surgeon (by the American Board of Plastic Surgery).
Read this Editorial from USA Today: Limit Who Can Do Cosmetic Surgery to see the controversy currently swarming around “Cosmetic” Surgeons vs, Board Certified “Plastic Surgeons.” Research your surgeon carefully, not only to be sure you get the results you want, but possibly to guarantee you will survive the surgery.
