Difference Between Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery

The terms plastic surgery and cosmetic plastic surgery are often used very closely but there is a major difference between them.                                       

A plastic surgery is performed to restore the function or quality of a particular organ of the body. It involves the health issue as a root cause of surgery being performed. It is performed in case of skin and tissue problems caused by congenital defects, due to illness or injury.

Where as a cosmetic plastic surgery is basically an elective surgery. It’s performed to enhance the appearance, shape or quality of a particular part of the body. It means that cosmetic surgery procedures are optional and are the choice of a patient. These procedures are not covered under health insurance.

These definitions are not very accurate for all circumstances, for example, a breast reduction may be helpful to reduce back or shoulder pain. Moreover the psychological effects of cosmetic plastic surgery are very important and to be considered in mental health. Cosmetic plastic surgery procedures help to restore the self esteem, self confidance, courage and ability to live an active social life. So they must be covered under the health insurance.

Plastic surgery

Occasions when a plastic surgery may be performed are:-

·         Repair of badly burnt or scarred skin tissues

·         Facial reconstruction or congenital  disfigurement

·         Reconstructive surgery after breast or testicular cancer

·         Ear, nose, eyes reshaping to improve their function

·         Skin grafting

A skin graft is the most widely used procedure in plastic surgery. In this procedure, healthy skin tissues from thigh or back are taken to be used on an effected area of the body. This transfer of skin restores the lost or damaged skin.

Cosmetic plastic surgery

Cosmetic plastic surgery is very popular and often used to enhance, improve or augment the appearance of almost any area of the body and it includes following procedures.

·         Breast lift, breast reduction or breast augmentation

·         Removal of unwanted marks like moles or birthmarks

·          Rhinoplasty (Nose reshaping)

·         Abdominoplasty (Tummy tuck, to reduce abdomen)

·         Otoplasty (Reshaping the prominent ears)

·         Rhytidectomy (Improvement of face or a face lift)

·         Liposuction or lipectomy

·         Blepharoplasty (Improvement of eyelids)

·         Botox or facial filling

·         Hair replacement and  laser hair removal

·         Neck or chin lift

·         Laser resurfacing

Public opinion about cosmetic and plastic surgeries

A recent study shows that people often consider the cosmetic plastic surgery technically easy. They also think that cosmetic surgeons do not need to be specialized as compared to plastic surgeons.  This study shows that cosmetic surgery was believed to be less risky, with shorter recovery times and less pain. It was also considered more temporary, easier to reverse, and requiring simpler techniques and training. However this consideration is not accurate practically. Most of the cosmetic plastic surgery procedures are risky and there is no guarantee of results.  

So it is wise to check the reason to choose a cosmetic procedure and how much you expect for the results. After a detailed discussion with the surgeon, you can get an accurate idea or insight on a procedure.