Plastic vs. Cosmetic Surgeon: Which is Right for Your Procedure?

Any cosmetic enhancement, whether surgical or nonsurgical, is not a decision to be made lightly. It's important to choose a skilled, well-credentialed doctor you can trust, and to understand the risks involved with any type of procedure.

What's the Difference Between Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery?

According to the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), “plastic surgery deals with the repair, reconstruction, or replacement of physical defects of form or function involving the skin, musculoskeletal system, craniomaxillofacial structures, hand, extremities, breast and trunk, external genitalia or cosmetic enhancement of these areas of the body. Cosmetic surgery is an essential component of plastic surgery."^¹

What is Plastic Surgery?

Plastic surgery is typically considered medically necessary in order to correct or reconstruct a defect or injury and restore normal function and/or appearance to parts of the body.

Types of plastic surgery procedures include:²

• Cleft lip and cleft palate
• Craniosynostosis
• Breast reconstruction
• Scar revision
• Vein removal

What is Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgeries are elective procedures to enhance physical appearance, symmetry or proportions on different parts of the body.¹

According to a recent report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 15 million cosmetic procedures, including both surgical and nonsurgical procedures, and more than 6.5 million reconstructive procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2020.

Some of the most popular types of cosmetic surgery in 2020 included:³

• Nose reshaping (Rhinoplasty)
• Eyelid lift
• Facelift
• Liposuction
• Breast enhancement (Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift)
• Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck)

Some of the most popular types of non-surgical cosmetic procedures in 2020 were:³

• Botulinum toxin Type A(Cosmetic Botox®)
• Soft tissue filler
• Chemical Peel
• Laser Skin Resurfacing
• Intense Pulsed Light Treatment (IPL)

It's important to note that any licensed physician, from a dentist to a dermatologist, may be able to legally perform cosmetic surgery or procedure, regardless of how they received cosmetic surgery training. It's extremely important, therefore, to do your research when choosing a surgeon.

What is a “Board-Certified" Plastic Surgeon?

There are approximately 7,500 plastic surgeons in the U.S. who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), which is the only board the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) recognizes to certify doctors in reconstructive and cosmetic procedures of all areas of the body.⁴

A doctor must have at least six years of postgraduate surgical training, including a plastic surgery residency, and must pass written and oral exams to be certified by the ABPS. Board-certified plastic surgeons are required to operate only in accredited facilities, adhere to a strict code of ethics, and must maintain their certification through continuing education.

In the U.S., 93% of board-certified plastic surgeons are also members of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the largest plastic surgery specialty organization with more than 8,000 members worldwide.⁵

Are there "Board-Certified" Cosmetic Surgeons?

The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) certifies surgeons exclusively in cosmetic surgery, and has similar requirements for certification with regards to education, medical training, a specialized residency/fellowship, and oral and written exams.

How to Choose a Plastic or Cosmetic Surgeon: 16 Questions to Ask

Knowing what to look for in a plastic surgeon is the key to finding a doctor who is the right fit for you. Be patient, and be prepared. Bring a list of questions to your consultation with your plastic surgeon, which could include:⁶

1. Am I a good candidate for this procedure? If not, what's keeping me from being a good candidate?
2. What are the risks and benefits of this procedure?
3. How many times have you performed this procedure?
4. What board certifications do you hold? Are those certifications recognized by the ABMS?
5. When is the best time to do this procedure?
6. Where will the surgery take place?
7. What accreditations does the surgical facility hold?
8. Do you have hospital privileges? If so, where?
9. What type of anesthesia is required for this procedure?
10. Who will perform anesthesia and what are their qualifications?
11. What are the credentials of your surgical staff?
12. What protocols are in place should an emergency arise?
13. What types of post-surgery complications could occur?
14. What is my expected recovery time?
15. Can you show me before and after pictures of other patients you've helped with a similar procedure?
16. What kind of long-term results can I expect?

    Pay attention to how the surgeon and their staff make you feel during your consultation. Are your questions answered thoroughly? Is information about the procedure transparent? Has the doctor helped you to understand what to expect? And most importantly, do you feel confident moving ahead with the surgery?

    Doing your due diligence to find a good plastic surgeon you trust as well as researching cosmetic procedures and asking questions are your first steps to getting beautiful results from any aesthetic procedure or treatment.

    You can use the CareCredit credit card to pay for cosmetic services, including surgical and minimally-invasive procedures to help you look and feel your best.* Use the Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a nearby provider who accepts the CareCredit credit card.