Is Plastic Reconstructive Surgery & Plastic Cosmetic Surgery The Same?
When it comes to plastic surgery and surgical procedures, there are often two different types of surgeries used: reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery. While both might seem like they are the same thing since they are often used to improve one’s appearance, there are some key differences you should know.
What Is Reconstructive Surgery?
This type of plastic surgery is used when there are bodily disfigurements caused by one or more of the following conditions such as:
- Birth Defects/Disorders
- Burns
- Cuts
- Wounds
- Certain Diseases/Cancers
- Damage to Skin Tissue from Trauma
The purpose of reconstructive surgery is to restore the affected area of the body to its former condition to give a more natural look and appearance. For example, you are involved in a car accident where your face is badly cut, leaving noticeable scars. Reconstructive surgery can help reduce the scars and (approximate and as close to) appearance of your face .
Other types of reconstructive procedures that are used to help people include:
- Repairing of Burned Skin
- Cleft Palate
- Bodily Disfigurements
- Breast Replacement
What Is Cosmetic Surgery?
This type of plastic surgery is used when an individual wants to make improvements to their body for appearance purposes. The primary objective of Cosmetic surgery is to enhance how one looks. While that is the ultimate goal, Dr. Grossman also achieves natural looking results that suits each of his individual patients.
Some of the more common types of cosmetic procedures used could include:
- Facelift
- Blepharoplasty
- Breast Lift
- Breast Augmentation
- Breast Reduction
- Abdominoplasty
- Liposuction
- Body and Facial Contouring
- Rhinoplasty
What Makes Reconstructive Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery Different?
As you might imagine, it can seem like there is some overlap between the two types of plastic surgeries. Yet there are some key differences.
To illustrate, let’s assume you were having breathing difficulties from an accident where you broke your nose. After it healed, the breathing difficulties have continued. Since the nose needs reconstruction to help you breathe, then this type of surgery would be considered reconstructive in nature.
On the other hand, let’s assume you simply did not like the look and appearance of your nose. Having the size of your nose increased or reduced would be considered cosmetic surgery.
Board certification will tell you a lot about a surgeon’s qualifications and their areas of expertise. As PAST President of the Los Angeles Society of Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Grossman has over 20 years of experience in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. He graduated from Northwestern University and the Chicago Medical School, and continued his medical education with a general surgery residency at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Furthermore, a plastic and reconstructive surgery residency at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and fellowships in breast reconstructive surgery, aesthetic and endoscopic surgery at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.
For further information about plastic surgery in Calabasas and the Greater LA Area, please feel free to contact Grossman Plastic Surgery at 818-981-2050 today!