In common parlance, the terms “cosmetic surgery” and “plastic surgery” are used interchangeably. But when it comes to certifications, the differences between a board-certified plastic surgeon and a doctor with credentials from an organization bearing the words “cosmetic surgery” or “cosmetic surgeon” are vast and critical.

Board certified plastic surgeons are members of the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), which is part of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). ABMS is the gold standard for all medical fields. When you visit a board certified cardiologist, pediatrician or neurosurgeon, this is the board that they are referring to. Nearly a decade of training and experience specific to plastic surgery in addition to rigorous peer review, screening, and ongoing maintenance of credentials are required to be a member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery. San Diego plastic surgeon, Dr. Stuart Kincaid, for example, is a certified plastic surgeon because he completed a three-year plastic surgery residency at Stanford University Medical Center in addition to a surgery residency, surgery research fellowship, and other ABPS requirements.

On the other hand, acceptance into similarly-named, yet fundamentally inequitable “cosmetic surgery” boards may require only a weekend course in liposuction, breast augmentation or face lifts. Doctors who seek membership in such associations often have ABMS certification in unrelated fields, such as radiology, internal medicine, or preventative medicine, and use credentials from organizations such as the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery (ABCS) to “cross over.” Boards like these are not recognized by the ABMS and members are not held to the same rigorous standards.

Surgery Risks

The risks of visiting an under qualified cosmetic surgeon were most tragically illustrated by the case of Lourdes Trinidad, a California woman who visited a doctor in Tijuana who claimed he was a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS). After receiving a liposuction operation – a procedure that has an excellent safety track record when performed by qualified plastic surgeons – Trinidad died from post-surgery complications. While fatal incidents like these are rare, situations where patients are unsatisfied with their results after visiting an under-qualified cosmetic surgeon rather than a board certified plastic surgeon are all too common.

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In our continuing efforts to bring our readers the most information on a wide variety of cosmetic surgery procedures, we’re taking this opportunity to answer some common cosmetic surgery FAQs! In this and future Frequently Asked Questions posts, we’ll take a look at one or two of the most commonly asked questions regarding a given procedure and share our wealth of knowledge with you, our readers and potential patients.

Q. What is breast augmentation?

A. Breast augmentation is a plastic surgery procedure designed to enhance the size, shape, and symmetry of a woman’s breasts. The procedure can be done in a variety of ways, however, the most common method uses either silicone gel or saline (salt water) breast implants. The result of breast enlargement surgery is an enhanced figure, and a potentially heightened sense of self-confidence.

Breast augmentation is a procedure that has definitely evolved drastically, since its inception. Many years ago, the earliest breast enhancements consisted of women getting silicone injected directly into their breasts. But not long after the injections, the silicone would move and distort the breast augmentation. Some enterprising people (not necessarily physicians) found that if they put certain chemical impurities into the silicone, the material would stay in place. Unfortunately, these impurities caused infections and problems for many patients. Soon after, plastic surgeons improved the technique by putting silicone into a thin containment device and the modern day field of breast augmentation was born.

Q. What actually happens during the breast augmentation procedure? Is there multiple ways to do the surgery?

A. As with all things in life, there is always more than one way to do something. The basic breast enhancement procedure involves making an incision in and around the breast, creating a tunnel under the skin or muscle and putting an implant in that tunnel.

Here is where it gets a little interesting. Different surgeons advocate making incisions in different areas: under the arm, in the belly button, around the nipple or underneath the breast. Each method has its advantages and a disadvantages. Typically, the best procedure for you is what your doctor says it is. Each surgeon has his own preference and his own comfort level with different techniques. However, it is also important to address your own comfort level and personal needs, as well.

Our suggestion is this: Pick a plastic surgeon that offers multiple options for your procedure so that you get the one that’s best for you. If your surgeon offers only one way to do your procedure, you may not be getting the best possible solution for what bothers you. Ultimately, your plastic surgeon should be able to provide you with both a variety of options and an objective opinion on what will be the best method for you

As always, get several opinions before undergoing any sort of cosmetic surgery.

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Here at Cosmetic Surgery Information .com we will be bringing you cosmetic surgery articles, procedure information, before and after pictures , celebrity cosmetic surgery news , cost information on procedures and everything else related to the field of cosmetic surgery that the general public and cosmetic surgeons alike may be interested in.

Now the first thing to do is to clarify the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery.

According to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery:

“Cosmetic Surgery is a subspecialty of medicine and surgery that uniquely restricts itself to the enhancement of appearance through surgical and medical techniques. It is specifically concerned with maintaining normal appearance, restoring it, or enhancing it beyond the average level toward some aesthetic ideal. Cosmetic Surgery is a multi-disciplinary and comprehensive approach directed to all areas of the head, neck and body.”

While Plastic surgery: “Is the field of surgery concerned with reducing scarring or disfigurement that may occur as a result of accidents, birth defects, or treatment for diseases, such as melanoma.”

Its true that many plastic surgeons also perform cosmetic surgery procedures such as rhinoplasty or breast augmentation, but it is important to separate the two definitions.

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