The medicinal term “plastic surgery” has originated from the Greek word “plastikos”, that essentially means to shape or mould. The entire field of plastic surgery can broadly be broken down into two broad categories- reconstructive and cosmetic procedures. These two surgery procedures are normally considered as sub-specialities of plastic surgery.

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery is a process which is conducted for restoring normal functions and physical appeal of the body parts which were present since the time of birth, or were caused as a result of trauma or medical issues which includes cancer. Instances of reconstructive plastic surgery include cleft lip and palate repair, breast reconstruction and also reconstructive surgeries after sustaining severe burns.

Considered necessary medicinally, the surgery is covered by most of the health insurance plans.

Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery is a process of surgery which boosts the complete appeal of an individual by reshaping and modifying the normal human anatomy for making it more appealing visually. Contrary to a reconstructive surgery, a cosmetic surgery is not considered important medically. Breast lift, liposuction, breast augmentation and face-lift are some common instances of cosmetic surgery methods.

How similar are they to each other?

In the real world, there is a high degree of overlapping between reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery as they tend to share similar fundamental principles. It does not matter too much to what process is being performed, but the final outcome should always be to maximise the result as much as possible. Apart from all the planning, patients need to make sure that they discuss about the expected results with their plastic surgeon much in advance and make sure that the expectations are met.

The difference between these two methods of plastic surgery gets all the more difficult to figure out when we talk about insurance coverage. There are certain situations which are considered either ‘cosmetic’ or ‘reconstructive’, which depends on the situation of a patient. A very good example of such a situation is rhinoplasty. While the surgery restores the normal shape of a nose, it may also be needed to bring a normal breathing function and shape after some kind of an injury.

Board Certification

The discussion might have been about plastic cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. Regardless of the kind of surgery however, the importance of getting a board certified surgeon from American Board of Plastic Surgery to get your surgery done cannot be highlighted enough.

Getting such a surgeon for your surgery requirements makes you sleep in peace that the medical professional has all the necessary training and expertise along with experience that is needed to get your surgery done safely.

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Other Useful Resources

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DIFFERENT TYPES OF PLASTIC SURGERY PROCESSES
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