Difference in training

A facial plastic surgeon’s original training is in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat surgery). Once they are board-certified in ear, nose, and throat, they further their training with fellowship and another set of boards and become board-certified in facial plastic surgery. Plastic surgeons usually have an original background in general surgery and perform two to three years of general plastic surgery. Facial plastic surgeons are uniquely positioned to address difficult facial cosmetic and reconstructive needs such as facelifts, eyelids, and nasal surgery.

A "Plastic Surgeon" who is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery has extensive training in all aspects of plastic surgery, from aesthetic to burns to cancer reconstruction to pediatric. The minimum length of post medical school training to become Board Certified in Plastic Surgery is 6 years of formal surgical residency but many have done several more years of training than just the basic 6.

"Facial Plastic Surgeons" derive their name from typically being trained in Otolaryngology (ENT), not because they are the "experts" on facial plastic surgery as compared to plastic surgeons. This becomes very confusing to patients.

Since there are excellent surgeons in both camps, you still need to research the surgeon and study their results carefully to determine if that is the right doctor for you. But realize that the two groups do not share the same training and that most of the major innovations in the field of plastic surgery of the face have come from Board Certified Plastic Surgeons.

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