Should You Pick a Cosmetic or Plastic Surgeon?

The terms “cosmetic surgeon” and “plastic surgeon” are often mistakenly used interchangeably, but these terms refer to two different types of surgeons.

While some of the areas of expertise of cosmetic and plastic surgeons may overlap, there are distinct differences in the goals and medical training of cosmetic and plastic surgeons.

Use this quick guide to help you decide if a cosmetic or plastic surgeon could be the best fit for your needs and goals.

What Are Your Goals?

As their title would suggest, a cosmetic surgeon’s focus is on addressing and improving a cosmetic concern, such as asymmetrical breasts through breast augmentation, sagging facial skin and wrinkles through a facelift or excess abdominal skin and fat through a tummy tuck.

[pullquote]Cosmetic surgeons specialize in procedures to address cosmetic concerns, while plastic surgeons focus on reconstruction and repair to restore normal appearance and function.[/pullquote]

Plastic surgeons, on the other hand, have been trained on the repair and/or reconstruction of tissue to restore the normal appearance or function of a particular body part. For example, you might see a plastic surgeon for scar revision surgery following an accident, or breast reconstruction surgery following a mastectomy.

What Training to Expect from a Cosmetic vs. Plastic Surgeon

Cosmetic surgery is only a piece of the medical training that plastic surgeons receive, though most programs do not require plastic surgeons to complete training on every cosmetic procedure.

On the other hand, cosmetic surgeons’ medical training and residency programs focus entirely on all cosmetic procedures.

Whether you decide that a cosmetic surgeon or plastic surgeon is right for you, be sure to check medical training and credentials prior to booking an appointment.

If you are ready to take the next step toward achieving your cosmetic goals, call our Fairhope office today at 251-929-7850 or contact us online to schedule your consultation with Dr. Koehler.

Author: Dr. James Koehler

A board-certified cosmetic surgeon in Fairhope, AL, Dr. James Koehler earned his MD from the University of Alabama and completed several post-doctoral residencies, internships and fellowships. He returned to Alabama to be closer to family and serve patients in the local community with a full range of cosmetic surgery procedures for the face, breast and body.