Make sure you educate yourself about the difference between Cosmetic surgeon versus Plastic surgeons. The most important differentiation is training. Following completion of medical school, a board-certified plastic surgeon serves first as a surgical resident for at least 3 years where he or she undergoes rigorous training in all aspects of surgery and then 3 years of focused plastic surgery training.
The process can take 6 to 8 years or more. This is a key differentiator between a plastic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon. A practitioner referring to himself or herself as a cosmetic surgeon might belong to any medical specialty. He/she could be a general surgeon, gynecologist, dermatologist, family physician, internist, etc. who has decided that they want to perform cosmetic procedures. The training can be anywhere from a one-year cosmetic surgery fellowship to a handful of short weekend courses on topics ranging from how to perform liposuction, utilize injectables, or perform breast augmentation.
