The two terms plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are often used interchangeably as both focus on improving a person’s body. Although both the medical science disciplines have the same goal, there are some differences between them. They both differ from each other in certain aspects; even the surgeons may have different qualifications and expertise. If you also don’t know what the exact difference between them are, this article will help you know the answer in detail.
What is Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery London is the surgical speciality that deals with the reconstruction of facial and body defects due to any possible reason, such as burns, disease, birth disorders etc. Reconstructive surgery is performed to restore the functions and appearance of the body. It corrects deformities that are caused by birth defects, trauma, or any medical condition. The birth defect includes cleft lip and palate repair. Plastic surgery includes mastectomy for breast cancer and reconstructive surgery after burn injuries. This surgery is considered medically necessary and is also covered by most insurance plans.
The Focus of Plastic Surgery
The main focus of plastic surgery is to reconstruct and reshape the natural appearance of body parts. The plastic surgery procedures are for burn repairing, hand surgery, breast reconstruction, scar revision surgery, congenital defect repair, cleft palate repair, and other extremity defects.
What is Cosmetic Surgery?
Most people are not satisfied with their physical appearance and find a way to enhance their physical features. In order to adjust these defects and make the body visually appealing, people opt for cosmetic surgeons. Cosmetic surgery is the procedure performed to enhance the overall cosmetic appearance of a person by reshaping and contouring normal anatomy. However, this surgery is not necessary medically as people do this on their own voluntary choice. All the procedures, techniques and principles focus entirely on the outcome. A few popular examples of cosmetic surgery are:
- Breast augmentation
- Liposuction (fat removal surgery)
- Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
- Facelift
- Gynecomastia treatment
- Breast enhancement
- Facial rejuvenation
- Skin rejuvenation
How are Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery Similar?
Since plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery share the same surgical principles, there is often significant overlap between them. Many people think that plastic surgery constitutes all the known surgeries. However, they are closely related, but technically, they are different from each other. The similarity between these both is their end goal. Both focus on improving the physical appearance and maximise the cosmetic result as much as possible.
Whether Insurance Applies to Both Surgeries?
When it comes to insurance coverage, there is slight confusion. Patients often face certain conditions that can be deemed as reconstructive and cometic at the same time. Take an example of rhinoplasty. It is the surgery of the nose, and cosmetic surgeons perform this surgery for nose reshaping to enhance the appearance of the nose, but this surgery may also be required to restore the nasal breathing after a bad fracture or accident. Since plastic surgery is medically necessary for treating the damaged parts of the body, it may be covered by medical insurance.
Cosmetic surgery, on the other hand, deals with aesthetic enhancement in the absence of medical indications and your medical insurance may not cover it. To clear the confusion if you are going through the condition that is underlying in both terms, you should consult with your insurance provider for further details.
What to Consider Before Opting for These Surgeries?
Regardless of the type of surgery, the patient must do complete research to ensure the surgeon they are working with is board certification. In many countries, the cosmetic surgeon is not required to complete the plastic surgery training because the physician may have trained in a medical speciality. The procedures like breast enhancement, breast lift require less training. By selecting a board-certified surgeon, you will get peace of mind.
Conclusion
Medical procedures: plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are the terms often confused by people. They think that both are the same because both focus on the same goal. However, cosmetic surgery is performed by choice of the patient, and plastic surgery is medically required to fix the defect, whether it is natural or caused due to an accident.