Plastic Surgeon Versus Cosmetic Surgeon

Q: I’m confused…what’s the difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon?

A: Comparing a board-certified plastic surgeon to a cosmetic surgeon is like comparing a diamond to a cubic zirconium. From a distance, they may look the same, but when closely scrutinized, the diamond is rare and priceless while the zirconium is worth very little and fabricated. Board-certified plastic surgeons, roughly 6500 in this country, are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), one of only 16 specialty boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, a branch of the AMA. Once certified by the ABPS, a surgeon is eligible to become an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the world’s premiere plastic surgery society. Continued membership requires extensive Continued Medical Education (CME) as well as uncompromised ethical conduct.

A “cosmetic” surgeon is essentially a meaningless term. The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is one of over a hundred “self-designated” boards in this country. It is not recognized by the AMA and is therefore a “meaningless” board. It simply validates those physicians trying to appear to be plastic surgeons but who really have no formal training in plastic surgery. Any physician can become a “cosmetic surgeon” without any true formal training. Do you really want an ENT or oral surgeon performing your tummy tuck or breast augmentation? Well, it’s happening more than you may think.

Be safe, be discriminating, do your homework and above all…be selective. Remember, you have only one face and one body. For more information, log onto my website at www.drhainer.com and read my section on “Choosing a Plastic Surgeon”” or log onto the official ASPS website at www.plasticsurgery.org to get a list of all board-certified plastic surgeons in your area.