Plastic Surgery , Charleston Plastic Surgeon, Dennis K. Schimpf, MD of Sweetgrass Plastic Surgery shares the difference between Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery. Cosmetic Surgery is a unique discipline of medicine focused on enhancing appearance through surgical and medical techniques. Cosmetic surgery can be performed on all areas of the head, neck and body. Because treated areas function properly but lack aesthetic appeal, cosmetic surgery is elective.

1. Understanding the Difference Between Cosmetic
Surgery and Plastic Surgery
Plastic Surgery , Charleston Plastic Surgeon, Dennis K. Schimpf, MD of Sweetgrass Plastic
Surgery shares the difference between Plastic Surgery and Cosmetic Surgery. Cosmetic Surgery
is a unique discipline of medicine focused on enhancing appearance through surgical and
medical techniques. Cosmetic surgery can be performed on all areas of the head, neck and body.
Because treated areas function properly but lack aesthetic appeal, cosmetic surgery is elective.
Plastic Surgery is defined as a surgical specialty dedicated to reconstruction of facial and body
defects due to birth disorders, trauma, burns, and disease. Plastic Surgery is intended to correct
dysfunctional areas of the body and is reconstructive in nature.
Understanding the difference between Cosmetic Surgery and Plastic Surgery
Cosmetic Surgery and Plastic Surgery are not the same thing
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Cosmetic surgery procedures enhance a person's appearance toward some aesthetic ideal.
Cosmetic surgery is practiced by doctors from a variety of medical fields including
dermatologists, facial plastic surgeons, general surgeons, gynecologists, oral and maxillofacial
surgeons, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists, plastic surgeons, as well as doctors from other
fields.
Unlike cosmetic surgery, Plastic Surgery focuses on repairing and reconstructing abnormal
structures of the body caused by birth defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection,
tumors or disease.
How Cosmetic Surgeons are Trained
There are currently no residency programs in the United States devoted exclusively to cosmetic
surgery.
Therefore, doctors seeking to learn cosmetic surgery primarily obtain training and experience
after completing their residency training. Knowing this fact is necessary to understanding the
difference between Cosmetic Surgery and Plastic Surgery.
How Plastic Surgeons are Trained
When we talk about a board-certified plastic surgeon, we mean one who is certified by the
American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the only board recognized by the American Board
of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify physicians in the full range of plastic and
reconstructive procedures. To be certified by the ABPS, a physician must have at least five years
of approved surgical training, including a residency in plastic surgery. He or she must also pass a
comprehensive written and oral exams in plastic surgery.

2. Dennis K. Schimpf, MD, MBA, FACS is double board certified by the American Board of
Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, in addition to being an active member of
the American Society of Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. In
May of 2013, he completed an MBA degree at the University of South Carolina Darla Moore
School of Business, with a concentration in International Business. Previously a full-time faculty
member at the Medical University of South Carolina, he is now in private practice in
Summerville, SC. For more information on South Carolina Plastic Surgeon Dennis K. Schimpf,
MD’s practice, visit his website at www.sweetgrassplasticsurgery.com.
Source: American Board of Cosmetic Surgery