What is the Difference Between Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery? » Center of Surgeons

What is the Difference Between Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery?

There are many different types of surgical procedures that are done for different purposes. When it comes to improving the patient’s appearance through a surgery, plastic and cosmetic surgical procedures may be used. While these types of surgeries are generally known to be the same, there are important distinctions to know between the two.

In case the patient has problems regarding their appearance, surgical treatment options that are suitable for the issue can be chosen. Depending on the type of the problem aesthetic plastic surgery or reconstructive plastic surgery may be done. However, it is important to understand the differences between the two in order to get a better idea on these procedures.

Along with knowing how a cosmetic surgery is different from a plastic surgery, it is also important to pick the right clinic and the right doctor for the operation as well. Here on this post, the differences between aesthetic surgeries and plastic surgeries will be discussed.

plastic and aesthetic surgery

What are the two types of plastic surgery?

When getting medical treatment, it can be important for the patient to know about the procedure as much as possible. Because along with preparing the patient for the treatment process, knowing about the procedure can help the patient manage their expectations. However, when it comes to plastic and cosmetic surgical operations, there are a lot of misconceptions. Considering the importance of such surgical treatment ways for improving the patient’s quality of life, this is an issue that needs to be fixed.

First and foremost, in order to begin to understand the differences between plastic and aesthetic operations, it is crucial to know about the two types of plastic surgery. One of these is the reconstructive type, which is carried out for dealing with deformities that are caused by various reasons such as birth defects or accidents. On the other hand, aesthetic procedures are done to give the patient a better appearance, potentially improving their self-confidence in the process. So aesthetic surgeries are mainly done for cosmetic reasons, while reconstructive surgeries are for repairing deformities.

What is the difference between plastic and reconstructive surgery?

As stated in the previous section, plastic surgeries refer to a more general term that cover two types of surgical operations that are done for different reasons. So in principle, there are differences between plastic and reconstructive surgery. With a reconstructive surgery the aim is to fix a physical deformity that the patient has. A reconstructive operation is automatically considered a plastic surgery, since it is a broader category that covers both reconstructive and aesthetic surgeries.

The main difference between plastic and reconstrucitve surgery is that plastic surgeries can be done solely for a cosmetic purpose as well. Because an aesthetic surgery falls in this category, too. However, the distinction between these two is not generally known and these terms are often used as if they are synonymous. Basically, an aesthetic operation is for improving the patient’s appearance, while a reconstructive surgery is both for appearance and practical reasons. Plastic surgery is a broader category covering both of these two types of procedures.

Is aesthetic the same as cosmetic?

Regarding the differences between types of surgeries affecting the patient’s appearance, the distinction between aesthetic and cosmetic procedures can be another source of confusion. Because the terms for plastic, reconstructive, cosmetic and aesthetic operations are usually used interchangeably. But even when it comes to cosmetic and aesthetic surgeries there are important distinctions that you may want to understand. Although these differences can be fairly insignificant, they can be worth knowing about by patients considering plastic and cosmetic surgical operations.

cosmetic surgery means using a surgical procedure in order to give the patient a better and more attractive appearance. Cosmetic surgeries are mostly more invasive compared to aesthetic procedures. Aesthetic operations, on the other hand, are generally less invasive procedures done with the help of tools like lasers and needles. However, aesthetic operations are not limited by such procedures and there can be aesthetic surgeries, too. Simply put, while there is an important distinction, they have similarities as well.

Whats the difference between cosmetic and aesthetic?

In the previous section, we have discussed whether there is a distinction between cosmetic and aesthetic operations or not. Basically, these procedures can be considered different depending on the invasiveness of the operation as well as the tools and methods used. When it comes to the differences between an aesthetic operation and a cosmetic surgery, there are some distinctions that can be worth talking about.

Firstly, cosmetic operation refers to surgical procedures that are carried out in order to improve the apperance of the patient. In this type of operation the method used is surgery and it is a rather invasive form of treatment. While there can also be aesthetic surgeries, which use surgical methods like cosmetic operations, aesthetic procedures can be less invasive. In an aesthetic operation, instead of surgical methods, alternative tools and methods can be used to give the patient a better appearance.

What are examples of aesthetics?

One important step of understanding the differences between plastic and aesthetic surgery is to look at some of the examples of these types of non-surgical and surgical procedures. Because by learning about real life examples of these types of operations, it is possible to get an idea about the techniques and tools that are used in aesthetic surgeries and procedures. So let’s check out some of the examples of aesthetics.

There are many aesthetic plastic surgery options as well as non-surgical aesthetic operations. Here are some of the examples of aesthetic surgery types and aesthetic operations that don’t involve a surgery:

  • Facial surgical treatment operations such as eyebrow lift, face lifting and neck lifting as well as forehead lift,
  • Aesthetic surgeries for improving the appearance of the breasts like breast enlargement and breast lift.
  • Hair transplantation operations,
  • Non-surgical aesthetic procedures like botox and fillers,
  • Dental aesthetic operations,
  • Procedures like Brazilian butt lift, liposuction and arm lift.

What is the most popular cosmetic surgery?

Aside from looking at some of the examples of aesthetic surgery, it can also be useful to check out some cosmetic surgery types to understand what these procedures refer to. Over the many years, the most popular cosmetic operations have changed to some extent. However, some of these surgeries have always been quite popular.

There are many different cosmetic operations that are done in order to enhance the patient’s physical appearance. Among these cosmetic surgery options, some of them are very popular, while some remain less popular compared to the ones that are more frequently preferred by patients. Here are some of the most popular cosmetic surgical treatment methods:

  • Nose job (rhinoplasty)
  • Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
  • Face lifting
  • Liposuction
  • Breast enlargement

What are the types of cosmetic surgery?

Since we have discussed the differences between plastic, reconstructive, cosmetic and aesthetic surgeries, let’s dive deeper into what cosmetic surgery means and what are some of the examples and types of this. Firstly, it is worth mentioning that there are many different types of cosmetic operations, as there are many areas in the body whose appearance can be improved with cosmetic surgical procedures.

Basically, there are some of the types of cosmetic surgery:

  • Cosmetic operations for fat reduction (liposuction, etc.)
  • Body lifts (arm lift, butt lift, tummy tuck, etc.)
  • Cosmetic surgeries for improving the apperance of breasts (breast enlargement, breast lift)
  • Face and neck (face lift, neck lift, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery)
  • Genital cosmetic operations
  • Gynecomastia surgery

What is aesthetic cosmetic?

Aesthetic cosmetic is a term that may refer to the use of cosmetic surgical procedures for aesthetic reasons. Simply put, there are many plastic surgery operations that can be done for various parts of the body in order to improve the patient’s appearance. With a successful aesthetic cosmetic surgery the patient can have a greatly improved physical appearance.

Also, aesthetic operations can be non-surgical operations and can impact the physical appearance of the patient in a significant way. So aside from cosmetic surgical treatment options, non-surgical methods can be used for this as well. As a result of these methods, a better physical appearance can be achieved for the patient.

What is the difference between aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry?

As we have discussed here on this post, there is a significant difference between aesthetic and cosmetic surgery. Basically while there can be aesthetic surgeries, aesthetic operations are generally less invasive compared to cosmetic procedures. When it comes to dentistry we can talk about a similar distinction between aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry.

Aesthetic operations and cosmetic surgical procedures can be used in dentistry. While a dental cosmetic surgery involves surgical methods, aesthetic dentistry uses less invasive ways. But in some cases, cosmetic dentistry may be required in order to achieve the desired results. Simply put, the difference between these types of dentistry is the methods that are used.

Conclusion

While there are important distinctions between plastic, reconstructive, cosmetic and aesthetic surgery, these are generally not well-known. In summary a reconstructive surgery is for both a better appearance and for practical reasons. And while cosmetic operations involve a surgery, aesthetic procedures can be less invasive. As for plastic surgery, it is a broader category covering these types of operations.

What is the difference between aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry?

As we have discussed here on this post, there is a significant difference between aesthetic and cosmetic surgery. Basically while there can be aesthetic surgeries, aesthetic operations are generally less invasive compared to cosmetic procedures. When it comes to dentistry we can talk about a similar distinction between aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry.

Aesthetic operations and cosmetic surgical procedures can be used in dentistry. While a dental cosmetic surgery involves surgical methods, aesthetic dentistry uses less invasive ways. But in some cases, cosmetic dentistry may be required in order to achieve the desired results. Simply put, the difference between these types of dentistry is the methods that are used.

Conclusion

While there are important distinctions between plastic, reconstructive, cosmetic and aesthetic surgery, these are generally not well-known. In summary a reconstructive surgery is for both a better appearance and for practical reasons. And while cosmetic operations involve a surgery, aesthetic procedures can be less invasive. As for plastic surgery, it is a broader category covering these types of operations.

Although the differences between these medical treatment options may not be very well-known, they can be important for the patients to know about. If you are planning to go through a medical operation in order to improve your appearance, you may want to check out Aesthetic & Plastic Surgery page on our website.