There is a difference between facial plastic surgeons and plastic surgeons though both can be very good at facial cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. Plastic surgeons go through a 3 to 5 year program in general surgery then spend 2 years in a plastic surgery residency. Facial plastic surgeons can be plastic surgeons who have done an additional year of fellowship in just cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the head and neck. More commonly, facial plastic surgeons have undergone one year of general surgery residency followed by 4-5 years of head and neck surgery residency followed by an additional year of fellowship training in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the head and neck only. Facial plastic surgeons concentrate of the head and neck area only while a plastic surgeon will perform procedures of the head and neck as well as the rest of the body. For a more thorough understanding of the differences between the two professions, visit the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery website at the link below.
