Patients considering making a physical change have likely heard the terms “plastic surgery” and “cosmetic surgery” and wondered about the difference between the two—or whether there is even a difference at all. When it comes to cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery, the Philadelphia area’s Dr. Brian Buinewicz explains that the terms are not actually interchangeable.
“One category includes the other,” Dr. Buinewicz elaborates. “Cosmetic surgery is a form of plastic surgery. Plastic surgery is a broader field, which also includes reconstructive surgery.”
Read on to learn more about both plastic and cosmetic surgery.
Plastic Surgery
In terms of surgical focus, plastic surgery is about both form and function. The overall goal of this field of medicine is to restore features of the body that have been altered due to time, trauma, or some other factor.
The cosmetic side of plastic surgery puts emphasis on aesthetics. Typically, this can involve work—commonly sculpting contours—on the face, breasts, or body.
The reconstruction side of plastic surgery targets parts of the body that have been damaged due to accidental injury, surgery, or disease. Reconstructive surgeons can also repair congenital defects that have been present since a patient’s birth or that have developed naturally.
Some examples of problems that can be addressed with reconstructive surgery include:
Breast Surgery
Some patients who have had implants inserted for asymmetry of their breasts no longer want those implants due to complications that have arisen. Others have some or all of their breast tissue removed as part of a cancer treatment to maintain or improve their health. A plastic surgeon can restore the look of the breast mounds and even re-create the look of areolas and nipples in order to restore full curves on the chest.
Facial Surgery and Reconstruction
Patients who have a cleft lip, interior or exterior structural defects that obstruct easy breathing through the nose, or wounds that alter their appearance may choose plastic surgery to help with their issue.
Scar Revision
Everything from burns to accidental cuts to surgical procedures can leave visible marks known as scars. Some wounds heal quickly and easily, while others—due to a combination of factors that include aging skin, the size and location of the wound, sun exposure during the healing process, and more—cause the healed area to appear shiny, smooth, raised or lowered, or darker or lighter than the surrounding tissue. Plastic surgeons have various techniques that can be used to make a scar less noticeable.
Reconstruction After Skin Cancer
Skin cancer patients who have malignant lesions removed may be left with a defect that remains as a visual reminder of the disease and treatment. Some plastic surgeons before surgeries that effectively repair the defect so that it is less noticeable that work was done.
For patients who want to focus on cosmetic surgery, there are numerous options as well:
Lifts
A “lift” is a general term typically applied to procedures that involve elevating tissues and features that have begun sagging over time. A facelift targets skin, fat, and more that migrates downward to give the face a heavy look marked by jowls and a hollow mid-face. A breast lift restores a perkier look to the chest by addressing drooping. Everything from eyelid lifts to butt lifts are available
Augmentations
The most common form of augmentation is breast augmentation, which involves the insertion of implants, a patient’s own fat, or both to increase the size of the breasts. This can also be done to alter their shape or improve their symmetry. Patients may also seek augmentation for their lips, chin, and other features they would like to be bigger.
Reductions
Liposuction, which is a surgical fat-removal procedure, is an incredibly common reduction option. This cosmetic surgery technique literally removes fat cells from the body via suction, allowing for sculpted contours and a leaner look where desired. Patients with overly large breasts may also opt for reduction—including men who have developed the appearance of breasts due to a condition known as gynecomastia. While certain breast reduction procedures that improve a patient’s health and quality of life by reducing back strain, chafing, and more may be covered by insurance, it is important to note that most forms of cosmetic surgery are considered elective and will have to be paid for in full by the patient. For example, a rhinoplasty that focuses on reducing the size of the nose as a cosmetic change would likely not be covered by insurance, while a procedure to repair a deviated septum causing breathing complications would likely be approved.
Whether patients are seeking an improvement to the form or function of a specific part of their body—or are curious as to what that means, exactly, for their personal situation—a helpful first step can be scheduling a consultation with a plastic surgeon who can assess the issue and make a professional recommendation.