Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons
What is the difference between a Plastic Surgeon and a Cosmetic Surgeon? If you are a real plastic surgeon, the difference is everything; if you are not, you'd like to say the difference is nothing - Charles K Lee MD FACS

image by: Beauty Affair LI
HWN Suggests
13 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became a Plastic Surgeon
1. It takes a lot of very unglamorous training to become a plastic surgeon. When I was training to be a plastic surgeon, everyone thought it was glamorous. But it took me 10 years of training. It was not glamorous. We worked over 100 hours a week and I was in the hospital overnight every second or third night for on-call shifts. Everyone thought I was doing Beverly Hills cosmetic surgery from the get-go and I wasn't. My mom [didn't understand] why was I working so hard. It's 100 percent underestimated because there's so much to plastic surgery. I went to med school, I did a general surgery residency, I did two years of basic science research, I did a fellowship in plastic surgery, and…
Resources
Find a Plastic Surgeon
Anyone can wear a white coat, but not everyone is board-certified. Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' free Find a Surgeon tool, you can find information on qualified, highly-trained plastic surgeons around the world.
Choosing Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is poorly understood by laypeople, medical students, physicians, and other surgeons. The most visible component of our specialty is aesthetic or cosmetic surgery, but plastic surgery is a broad specialty in which we operate on nearly every part of the body, on patients of all ages.
The Future of Plastic Surgery : Where Are We Going & How Do We Get There
Plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery are in high demand which means a lot for their future. Previously, there were many issues with plastic surgery but today there are many promises that are yet to be met. With the increase in demand, some things in the future of plastic surgery are very easy to predict. However, there are many restrictions and laws governing the whole process. In this brief, we will talk about all the things we expect in the future of plastic surgery.
What is the difference between a Plastic Surgeon and a Cosmetic Surgeon?
The difference is everything, the difference is nothing. It depends on whose perspective it's coming from. By definition, all plastic surgeons are trained and capable of performing "cosmetic surgery," but not all Cosmetic Surgeons are Plastic Surgeons. What does this mean? It means that the true education, training, and ability of a Plastic Surgeon encompasses ALL that is cosmetic surgery, but those who call themsevles "cosmetic surgeons or cosmetic doctors" are not all Plastic Surgeons.
Is It Corrective or Cosmetic? Plastic Surgery Stirs a Debate
The Hatfields' struggle to get Michael's surgery covered illustrates a new problem in health care: Some plans are denying or fighting claims for reconstructive surgery for children with facial deformities, women who have had mastectomies and accident victims with scars and burns. The insurers say the work is "cosmetic" and therefore not a medical necessity.
Most Doctors Are Burned Out, But Not Plastic Surgeons
Other doctors are suffering from record burnout and depression, while plastic surgeons report high levels of happiness. What's their secret?
The first US penis transplant is part of a new wave of transplants to improve, but not save, lives
The 15-hour operation is part of a new wave of transplant surgeries — along with uterus and face transplants — that don't involve vital organs but could significantly improve quality of life and return potential lost in an accident, disease, or birth defect.
World War I: the birth of plastic surgery and modern anaesthesia
A young ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeon from New Zealand, Harold Gillies, working on the Western Front saw attempts to repair the ravages of facial injuries and realised that there was a need for specialised work. The timing was right, because the military medical leadership was recognising the benefit of establishing specialist centres for dealing with specific injuries and wounds, such as neurosurgical and orthopaedic injuries or victims of gassing.
Bay Area plastic surgeon blends science with art
Dr. Bermudez is a true Renaissance man. Raised in Tuscany, Italy, and inspired by fellow Tuscan Leonardo da Vinci, he mixes an extensive medical and research background with a love of sculpting and language (he's fluent in both Spanish and Italian). This means that he possesses both the skill of a surgeon and the aesthetic approach of an artist.
Eight secrets plastic surgeons only tell their friends
In reality, it has little to do with your hands. For most procedures, the outcome is more affected by planning and decision-making than what the hands can do – I'd say about 80% head, 20% hands. Some surgeons link to think of themselves as artists, and that's fine, but I can assure you that being talented with a brush or pen does not translate into excellent surgical outcomes. On the other hand, an eye for beauty or fashion is useful, but again, it's in the head.
Meet the plastic surgeon who moonlights as an animal doctor
Plastic surgeon Dr. Coleen Stice’s operating schedule Friday will look a bit different than normal: Instead of a sterile surgical suite, she’ll be working at Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Neb. Instead of shaving away hair, she’ll have to deal with feathers. Oh, and the patient will be a bald eagle.
13 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Became a Plastic Surgeon
When I was training to be a plastic surgeon, everyone thought it was glamorous. But it took me 10 years of training. It was not glamorous. We worked over 100 hours a week and I was in the hospital overnight every second or third night for on-call shifts.
Plastic Surgery News
Plastic Surgery News® focuses on the most current issues affecting the specialty of plastic surgery. Written exclusively for plastic surgeons, this tabloid news publication is published eight times a year and provides the type of information not available in any other publication.
Plastic Surgery Practice
PSP: Plastic Surgery Practice provides aesthetic practitioners with the latest information on clinical innovations, practice-management trends, and emerging products and technologies.
PlasticMatch.com
We are a group of residents and fellows at some of the top integrated and independent plastic surgery programs in the U.S. We recognized that there is no central source for unbiased advice on how to navigate the application, interview, and matching process in plastic surgery. So we are building it.
Becoming a Plastic Surgeon
This site is dedicated to those who aspire to become a Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon. This site will chronicle my own journey to this profession and give insight on how to embark on a similar career.
e-Learning for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery
e-LPRAS supports the training programme for plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery and is aimed at plastic surgery trainees from specialty training year 3 (ST3) onwards. The e-learning will also appeal to consultants, non-consultant career grades and allied health professionals who want to increase and update their knowledge base.
MedPage Today
Plastic Surgery Information Center.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
The mission of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is to improve oral, dental and craniofacial health through research, research training, and the dissemination of health information.
RealSelf
Since its founding in 2006, RealSelf has created the world's largest community for learning and sharing information about cosmetic surgery, dermatology, dentistry, and other elective treatments. Our extensive collections of reviews, photos, and doctor Q&A make RealSelf the most trusted resource for those who are looking for help beyond the beauty counter.

Introducing Stitches!
Your Path to Meaningful Connections in the World of Health and Medicine
Connect, Collaborate, and Engage!
Coming Soon - Stitches, the innovative chat app from the creators of HWN. Join meaningful conversations on health and medical topics. Share text, images, and videos seamlessly. Connect directly within HWN's topic pages and articles.