Finding the right doctor can be difficult if you don’t know what to look for.
From traditional facelifts to Botox injections or laser resurfacing, cosmetic-focused procedures have changed drastically in recent years.
And those looking to find the right provider can have a hard time determining what kind of doctor they’re looking for.
A big issue for many people is that a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon can be confused. But while cosmetic surgery is a type of plastic surgery, cosmetic surgeons can only perform cosmetic procedures, he explains Dr. Alan Matarasopresident of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Feeling confused? You are not alone.
ONE Exhibition 2017 in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, found that people were getting confused between the terms “plastic” and “cosmetic” surgeons.
In a survey of 5,135 people, 87 percent believed that surgeons should have special credentials and training to perform cosmetic procedures or advertise as cosmetic, cosmetic or plastic surgeons. More than half were not sure what the requirements were to be a “certified board.”
“The results demonstrate the need to eliminate confusing medical marketing in order to have a transparent system where informed patients can ensure a safe and esthetically acceptable outcome.” Dr. Rod J. Rohricha doctor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas said in a statement.
If you’re still not sure what the difference is, here’s what you need to know. First, there are two types of plastic surgery:
- Reconstructive plastic surgery treats parts of the body that are cosmetically or functionally affected by infection, tumors, disease, congenital anomalies, developmental abnormalities, or trauma.
- Cosmetic plastic surgery enhances or reshapes parts of the body.
Reconstructive plastic surgery may be covered by insurance, while cosmetic plastic surgery is optional and usually not covered.
Breast reconstruction after a mastectomy is a reconstructive procedure that only a plastic surgeon should perform. A breast lift (augmentation) is a cosmetic procedure that could be performed by a plastic or cosmetic surgeon.
Plastic and cosmetic surgery can include surgical, minimally invasive or even non-surgical procedures.
“Most people think plastic surgery is cosmetic surgery,” she said Dr. Alexander W. Sobelpresident of the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS).
Surgeons have different board certification requirements depending in the table that certifies them.
“Real” board-certified plastic surgeons are credentialed by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). The ABPS provides plastic surgery certification under the American Board of Medical Specialties, which has maintained standards since 1933. ASPS members are certified under the ABPS.
Board-certified plastic surgeons have completed at least six to eight years of specialized training from an accredited plastic surgery training program in the United States regulated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). The ACGME accredits most graduate medical training programs in the country, he added.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the other major board that certifies plastic surgeons.
The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) certifies surgeons exclusively in cosmetic surgery.
Cosmetic surgeons may not be board certified to call themselves that. Any doctor from a dermatologist to an oral surgeon can call themselves a cosmetic surgeon, Rohrich told Healthline.
“[It’s] pretty surprising and amazing as we don’t have regulations on who can call themselves what in the US,” Rohrich said.
A bigger problem than knowing the difference between surgeons is that many people seek cosmetic procedures from professionals who are not cosmetic surgeons.
This might include a dentist or gynecologist who also provides fillers, for example. These doctors may offer some cosmetic options, but they may not offer patients all of their options, nor be able to handle complications.
If they can only do one or a few procedures, they’re not going to give you options based on your anatomy and specific needs — their recommendations are based on what they can do, Matarasso said.
“If they don’t have the training to give you all the options, then it’s not fair to the patients,” Matarasso said.
Doctors who describe themselves as “cosmetic doctors”, unlike cosmetic surgeons, may have some training in one or more cosmetic procedures.
However, they give patients limited treatment options and may prevent patients from understanding all of their options. On the other hand, a cosmetic surgeon will be able to identify which technologies are best for a person and give them all their options.
“The real confusion lies in the fact that, legally, any doctor with a valid medical license can perform cosmetic procedures, regardless of their training.” Dr. Jordan Jacobs, chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Mount Sinai Downtown in New York, told Healthline. “Therefore, any doctor can advertise as a cosmetic surgeon.”
Matarasso, who only does cosmetic surgery, sees patients every day who had surgery but weren’t ideal candidates for it. They had poor results as a result of not being properly trained in all of their procedure options.
It’s very important to look for a board-certified doctor rather than finding a doctor who only performs one service, Matarasso said. It offers the full range as opposed to just one thing.
Patients who hire doctors who perform cosmetic procedures in their office or at an outpatient surgery center should make sure the doctor is approved to perform the same procedures at a local hospital, Jacobs explained.
According to the ABPS, board-certified plastic surgeons can only practice in properly certified facilities and can only perform procedures in the practice for which they also have hospital privileges. Must have transportation privileges to at least one local hospital in the event of an emergency.
“When they see a doctor advertised as a ‘board-certified plastic surgeon,’ be sure to ask which board,” added Jacobs.
