Plastic surgeon vs. cosmetic surgeon - what's the difference?

In order for a physician to be a plastic surgeon, one must complete an approved Residency training program in Plastic Surgery. Plastic surgery involves a spectrum of different components, including cranio-facial surgery (e.g. cleft lip or palate), burn surgery, hand/microsurgery, maxillo-facial trauma,... more

With more and more physicians leaving the insurance side of their practice and entering elective medicine, the line between a Plastic Surgeon and a Cosmetic Surgeon is becoming more confusing. But, in reality, there is a big difference! Plastic Surgeons complete a minimum of two years of focused training in... more

With so many medical professionals offering cosmetic treatments, it can be confusing trying to determine who you should be trusting. In Canada (where I practice) and in the USA, the title Plastic Surgeon pertains only to surgeons who have completed a designated residency training program in plastic surgery.... more

A Facial Plastic Surgeon is a surgeon first board certified in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.  This requires at least 1 year of General Surgery (abdominal, hernia, gall bladder, vascular, trauma surgery), followed by 4 years of Otolaryngology.  Otolaryngology is a regional surgical specialty... more

A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon has had rigorous training for between 6 and 8 years or longer after medical school on all aspects of surgery and plastic surgery.  As such, they represent the gold standard for plastic surgeons.  All plastic surgeons are cosmetic surgeons but not all cosmetic... more

Notice I put cosmetic surgeon in quotation marks.  This is because there really is no such specialty as far as the American Medical Board is concerned.  So beware. To be come a plastic surgeon you have to be dedicated and endure a long road of education, training and examinations.  To become a... more

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... more