Facial Plastic Surgery: Q&A
Ask a QuestionPlastic 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!
**Note from RealSelf** This question is closed to new answers. Our site is designed to help consumers make confident choices and the below answers have lost this spirit. To see the criteria RealSelf uses to list a doctor as a Facial Plastic Surgeon, please visit our Professional Policies. Doctors listed as a 'Facial Plastic Surgeon' on RealSelf are eligible to provide expert answers regarding "neck-up" procedures, including those of the face, ear, nose and throat areas. As always, consumers should do their due-diligence in researching an individual doctors experience and credentials when choosing their surgeon.
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Asked by
anon
+7
Differences between facial plastic surgeon and plastic surgeon
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 you are seeing a Facial Plastic Surgeon or General Plastic Surgeon, there is a high probability you are seeing a surgeon who has excelled academically and clinically in...
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+5
What is the Difference Between General Plastic and Facial Plastic Surgeons? ...Clothing
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...
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+4
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...
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+4
The terms are confusing to many patients
A "Plastic Surgeon" who is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery has extensive training in all aspects of plastic surgery, from aesthetic to burns to cancer reconstruction to pediatric. The minimum length of post medical school training to become Board Certified in Plastic Surgery is 6 years of formal surgical residency but many have done several more years of training than just the basic 6.
"Facial Plastic Surgeons" derive their name from typically being trained in...
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+4
Jacques Joseph was a facial plastic surgeon
Jacques Joseph was in fact a facial plastic surgeon and indeed is considered the father of rhinoplasty surgery and other facial plastic surgery procedures. In fact, he originally trained in orthopedic surgery and then went on to excel in facial plastic surgery.
He eventually directed the Department of Facial Reconstruction at the Charité Ear and Nose Clinic in 1916. Considered at the time as the world’s best rhinoplasty surgeon, he taught other famous surgeons, including:...
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+4
The difference is the route of training
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...
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+3
Do your research, and choose a surgeon with experience
The difference is in 2 main aspects:
1. Training - Plastic Surgery is a sub-specialty of General Surgery where as Facial Plastic Surgery is a sub-specialty of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (commonly known as ENT). Plastic Surgeons train in all body surgery which includes the face whereas Facial Plastic Surgeons train only in the face, head, and neck surgery.
2. Focus of practice - Facial Plastic Surgeons - obviously as the name describes - limit their surgical...
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+3
Lumpers and Splitters
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...
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Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+3
Who’s the facial cosmetic king on the mountain? It is all about one’s training and experience!
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 a consumer, it is confusing to sort this out. However, the answer is simple. It is all about the physician’s training and experience!
Both a plastic surgeon and a facial plastic surgeon have gone...
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Englewood Plastic Surgeon
+2
It is very simple
1) A plastic surgeon is a plastic surgeon
2) A Facial Plastic Surgeon is a Facial Plastic Surgeon
These are 2 completely different specialties with totally different training backgrounds.
A) Facial Plastic surgeons are usually ENT surgeons who went above and beyond and did one more year of training ONLY on the face and neck. That is 6 years EXCLUSIVELY on the face and neck.
B) Plastic surgeons are either general surgeons who spent 5 years operating inside the abdomen...
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Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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