Plastic surgeon vs cosmetic surgeon and others

Ricardo Rodriguez, MD answers: Plastic surgeon vs. cosmetic surgeon - what's the difference?

Can somebody tell me what the difference is, if any, between a cosmetic and plastic surgeon?  I am also unclear about how facial plastic surgeons compare to otolaryngologists or oculoplastic surgeons...can anyone help there?

Ricardo Rodriguez, MD
5 months ago

The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) is THE official and authoritative body in the US for certification of Medical and Surgical specialties.

Boards certified by the ABMS for the training and certification of Plastic Surgeons:

-The American Board of Plastic Surgery. That's it.

Boards NOT certified by the ABMS for Plastic Surgery:

EVERYBODY ELSE

An oculoplastic surgeon is certified by his specialty board to do plastic surgery around the eyes. He is not certified or trained to do any other type of plastic surgery, such as facelifts.

A facial plastic surgeon is certified by his specialty board (otolaryngology) to do plastic surgery in the head and neck area. He is not certified or trained to do any other type or plastic surgery such as liposuction of the body, breast augmentations, butt lifts, etc.

Web reference: http://www.abms.org/
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