Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Plastic Surgery Vs. Cosmetic Surgery:

Often considered synonymous with each other, both these terms are but different aspects of the main branch of medicine known as plastic surgery.

Plastic surgery, technically speaking, is held to involve corrective or reconstructive surgery procedures that repair or correct deformities or abnormalities. For instance, surgeries for correcting protruding ears- Otoplasty, removing nasal deformities- rhinoplasty and also procedures for correcting abdominal deformities caused due to surgery- Abdominal Lipectomy.

However, these very same procedures can also be used to enhance the features in question by a cosmetic surgery. A rhinoplasty can shape the nose and enhance a profile; an otoplasty can give a slender shape to the ears, while an abdominal lipectomy can also give a patient a narrow waist and a gently curved tummy.

As you can see, there are no definite lines that distinguish between these two terms. Hence, a plastic surgeon is also called a cosmetic surgeon. Once they are done with reconstructive surgery, they usually enhance the results to look as natural as possible.

Keeping this in mind, a plastic surgeon needs to apply his aesthetic sensibilities in such a way that the body is enhanced with a simple reconstructive procedure. Thus, both cosmetic enhancements as well as reconstructive needs can be met at times.

The distinction between the two terms is usually highlighted by financial institutions which favor corrective surgery for a loan. The Plastic Surgery Institute of California can help you select the procedure you wish to have.

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