Although the majority of people use the terms "cosmetic surgery" and "plastic surgery" interchangeably, they refer to very different techniques, procedures and practices.
Cosmetic surgery normally refers to procedures that are used to improve or change the appearance of a nose, eyes, eyebrows or other facial features, including the teeth (cosmetic dentistry). It is always an elective surgery since it is not medically indicated for improving a patient's physical well-being.
The motivation for much cosmetic surgery is often self-esteem. Cosmetic surgery can help people remove or change a certain physical feature that, as a result, makes them happier with their appearance and enhances their self-confidence, as well.
On the other hand, plastic (or "reconstructive") surgery may involve the removal of cancerous tissues, or the process of moving or adapting other tissue. Rather than being merely for appearance, as in cosmetic surgery, the goal of plastic surgery is to restore form and function to the affected areas.
Plastic surgery does overlap at times with cosmetic surgery, especially regarding the restoration of normal appearance after massively invasive operations like mastectomies (breast removal). A portion of this particular procedure is plastic surgery, a portion can be considered cosmetic surgery, and there are methods in place to determine, for insurance purposes, how much of each type is involved.
Most people think plastic surgery is the same as cosmetic surgery because of the terminology, but the fact is that plastic surgery did not get its name from "plastic," the material, but from the Greek word "plastikos." This word basically means "to mold or shape." This is why plastic surgery addresses such issues as birth defects, trauma victims and crippling, disfiguring disease.
A baby that is born with a cleft palate needs surgery to correct that condition, and this would be considered plastic or reconstructive surgery. Because the cleft palate can be a serious problem and affect quality of life, it is a medically necessary procedure. Medical necessity is also another important distinction between cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery, which is why plastic surgeries aimed at restoring normal functioning are generally covered by insurance. Cosmetic surgeries are not.
Despite the main purpose of plastic surgery being the restoration of normal form and function, there is a fine line between cosmetic and plastic surgery that is often fuzzy. Sometimes a certain surgery may be needed to restore normal functioning, although it also has an aesthetic component and improves appearance.
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