If you heard one of your friends say they wanted to have cosmetic surgery done, and another say that they want plastic surgery, would you think they were talking about the same thing? If so, 
you’re not the only one. Doctors and patients alike use the two terms almost interchangeably. While they are similar in how they are performed, the schools of thought are actually very different.
Two Different Goals
Both types of surgery address improving a patient’s body, but the reasons and goals for each are surprisingly different.
To help differentiate between the two, try thinking of cosmetic surgery as revamping the landscaping on your property. You’re increasing curb appeal and improving the look of your property, but you aren’t fixing something that was hurting your home’s functionality. Cosmetic surgery works the same way on the body, and because the areas being operated on already function correctly, cosmetic surgery is elective.
Cosmetic surgery procedures include:
- Breast augmentation
- Breast lift
- Breast Enlargement
- Dark circle treatment
- Botox injections
- Body contouring
- Liposuction
- Tummy tuck
If cosmetic surgery can be equated to your home’s landscaping, think of plastic surgery like repairing the roof or fixing a broken window. Plastic surgery’s primary focus is on restoring function to parts of the body that are not fully operational due to birth defects, disease, or other trauma. Many plastic surgeons complete the training necessary to perform cosmetic surgery, further blurring the lines between the two practices.
In fact, the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons changed its name in 1999 to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to communicate the message that plastic and reconstructive surgeries are the same thing.
Plastic surgery procedures include:
- Breast reconstruction
- Mastectomy reconstruction
- Nipple reconstruction
- Burn repair
- Cleft palate repair
- Scar revision surgery
Whether you’re looking for enhanced aesthetics through cosmetic surgery or reconstructive surgery to correct a dysfunction, Dr. Roach at the Bayside Center can help. Call us at 1-813-528-8744 to schedule your complimentary consultation today.
