Plastic surgeon vs. facial plastic surgeon: is there a difference?

amazed when told by a friend that a plastic surgeon is not the same as a facial plastic surgeon. i always thought facial plastic surgeons do plastic surgery of the face like facelifts, and that they are plastic surgeons that specialize in the face procedures.  plz help me understand the differences, if any!

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16 answers to “Plastic surgeon vs. facial plastic...”

A: Differences between facial plastic surgeon and plastic surgeon

Stephen Prendiville, MD

I am a Facial Plastic Surgeon and proud to be so. Obviously, my perspective is biased based on my training, a training devoted to the face and neck. However, I think there are several observations a prospective patient should consider in making their decision. The Individual Surgeon: I can assure you that if... more

A: What is the Difference Between General Plastic and Facial Plastic Surgeons? ...Clothing

Michael A. Persky, MD

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... more

A: Difference between facial plastic and plastic surgeons

Hratch Karamanoukian, MD

I would say that I can give you an objective answer to this because I am Board certified in two fields, general surgery and cardiac surgery (thoracic surgery). In regards to "who is better, facial plastic surgery through ENT or plastic surgery" - It all depends on your training and experience during... more

A: Difference in training

William Portuese, MD

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... more

A: Plastic surgeons, Facial plastic surgeons, Cosmetic surgeons

Brent Moelleken, MD

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... more

A: Welcome to our world!

Kamran Jafri, MD

Hello Sonya, As you can see from the many responses you have received you have touched upon a bit of a hot topic! I wanted to chime in just to answer your question as factually as possible. A board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon is a Physician who has complete training and board certification in Ear, Nose... more

A: A "Facial Plastic Surgeon" is not a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

S. Sean Younai, MD

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... more

A: There are many similarities between Facial Plastic Surgeons and Plastic Surgeons

David Shafer, MD

Sonya, There are many similarities between Facial Plastic Surgeons and Plastic Surgeons - the first is that they are both experts of the face. However, there are also many differences. As many have noted below, plastic surgeons are the only speciality that also specialize on the rest of the body. While... more

A: Lumpers and Splitters

Athleo Louis Cambre, MD

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... more

A: Who’s the facial cosmetic king on the mountain? It is all about one’s training and experience!

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD

Who’s the facial cosmetic king on the mountain? It is all about one’s training and experience!   What a great question. So, what is the difference between a facial plastic surgeon and a plastic surgeon? Or, using your example, which is better qualified to perform a facelift? As... more

Facial plastic surgery before & after photos

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