Plastic surgeons, Facial plastic surgeons, Cosmetic surgeons

Plastic surgeons are trained in Plastic surgery.  Facial Plastic Surgeons are trained in ENT.  Both are trained to work on the face.

There are simply two different surgical pathways to get there.  One is through Plastic Surgery training, leading to "Board Certified in Plastic Surgery," the other through ENT, leading to "Board Certified in Facial Plastic Surgery".

There are fine individuals in both camps.  Both have done surgical residencies.

This is very different from a "cosmetic surgeon", a term that does not require any surgical residency, and no certification by any Board.

Cosmetic Surgery of the Face is practiced by a variety of individuals.  In the present free-market environment, this may include not only the "traditional" specialties of Plastic Surgery, ENT, and Ophthalmology, but also Dermatology, Oral Surgery, and even Dentistry.  The burden of determining the proper level of credentialing has unfortunately fallen to the patient, who all too often may succumb to slick marketing, or may simply fail to do her homework in investigating the qualifications of the surgeon.

"General" Plastic Surgeons and "Facial" Plastic Surgeons are well-versed in the anatomy and techniques involved in cosmetic surgery of the face, which is a core component of the background training for both of these surgical specialties.  Facial Plastic Surgeons generally confine their scope of practice to cosmetic surgery of the head and neck only, and are most likely NOT qualified to perform Breast Augmentation, Tummy Tucks, and Liposuction as a core part of their training.  "General" Plastic Surgeons scope of practice includes cosmetic and reconstructive procedures on the head and neck, breast, and body.

A good rule of thumb when checking the qualifications of your surgeon is to inquire (in addition to Board Certification by a Board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS)) if the surgeon has privileges to perform the procedure in question in a local hospital.  Generally, this would weed out the Dermatologists, Dentists, Gynecologists, and Oral Surgeons from performing most facial cosmetic procedures and all cosmetic surgery of the body.

Do your homework, and check the qualifications of your surgeon.

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Hi Sonya,

General plastic surgeons are trained with 5 years of general surgery followed by 2-3 years of general plastic surgery including the face, neck, chest, breasts, arms, hands, legs, feet, burns).  General plastic surgeons are qualified to perform all plastic surgical procedures.

Facial plastic surgeons usually are trained with 1-2 years of general surgery, then 3-4 years of head and neck surgery (also known as ear, nose, and throat surgery, including facial plastic and reconstructive surgery), followed by an optional year of facial plastic surgery fellowship.  Facial plastic surgeons are qualified to perform plastic surgical procedures from the neck up (rhinoplasty, eye lid surgery, face lift, etc.)

Both specialties have surgeons with variable skills, most are exceptional, some average, and unfortunately like everything else in life, a few are below average.  The major difference between general plastic surgery (total body), and facial plastic surgery is that clothing cannot be used to cover poor post operative surgical results on the face.  Whether performed by general plastic or facial plastic surgeons, when operating upon the face, the surgeon must be meticulous, experienced, skilled, and have an excellent sense of natural beauty and aesthetics.  An unsatisfactory scar, nose, or eye lid cannot be covered up with clothing. 

Whether choosing a general plastic or facial plastic surgeon, patients must choose their surgeon most carefully.  Good luck and be well.

Dr. P

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Unfortunatley, many ENT surgeons try to pass themselves as a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon by telling the public that they are a "facial plastic surgeon". now a these days the podietrist that do foot surgery call themselves "foot Plastic surgeon".

Although there is a subspecialty of facial plastic surgery for ENT surgeon, if an ENT wanted to be a plastic surgeon why does'nt he/she just do their training in Plastic Surgery.