26
May
A frequently asked question that I come across is: So, What is the difference between a Cosmetic Surgeon and a Plastic Surgeon?
If you do not know the answer, you are not alone. As the name suggests, Cosmetic Surgery focuses on enhancement and improvement of the aesthetic appeal and appearance of the face and body. The natural aesthetic sense of a Cosmetic Surgeon is as important as his or her clinical skill, training and experience that is gathered over time.
Cosmetic Surgery Providers in Australia come from a diverse medical background. This includes:
Plastic Surgeons
General Surgeons
ENT (Facial Plastics) Surgeons
Dermatologists
Oculoplastic Surgeons
Obstetricians & Gynecologists
General Practitioners
Procedural Radiologists
Maxillofacial Surgeons (Dentists)
Plastic surgery is defined as a surgical specialty dedicated to the reconstruction of facial and body anomalies due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, or disease. Plastic surgery is intended to correct dysfunctional areas of the body and is reconstructive in nature.
Many plastic surgeons choose to complete additional training and perform cosmetic surgery. However, the basis of their surgical training remains reconstructive plastic surgery. I know a lot of Plastic Surgeon friends and colleagues who have never performed a single cosmetic face lift or breast augmentation procedure! They exclusively work in Public Health System where Cosmetic Surgery is not funded by taxpayers’ money.
Another interesting fact is that there is no Government funded body or organization in Australia which trains doctors exclusively in Cosmetic Surgery. Senior doctors/ surgeons in the private sector through personal mentoring programs and one to one supervision provide all Cosmetic Surgery training.
Here, I would like to mention that I am not a Plastics & Reconstructive Surgeon. My training and practice primarily involves minimally invasive cosmetic dermatological surgery.