Plastic Surgery vs. Cosmetic Surgery: What’s The Difference And Why It Matters
“Many people call themselves ‘cosmetic surgeons,’ but that term is misleading as not everyone is a trained surgeon or trained in cosmetics,” says Melissa Doft, MD, founder of Manhattan’s Doft Plastic Surgery. “A better term is an ‘aesthetic surgeon,’ which refers to a plastic surgeon.”
As Dr. Doft explains, plastic surgeons spend six to eight years intensively studying surgery for five to seven days a week. “They are trained in general surgery, trauma surgery, reconstructive surgery and aesthetic surgery,” she says of the specialty. “The certification requires a full-day written exam and a multi-day oral exam, as well as the presentation of every surgical case performed during their first year after training.”