The public frequently encounters various terms for doctors who perform procedures to change appearance or restore function, often leading to confusion about qualifications. The titles used in media and advertising for these medical professionals are varied, obscuring the official training and certification that define the field. The scope of this surgical specialty is broad, encompassing both elective aesthetic procedures and medically necessary reconstruction. Understanding the distinctions between the official title and other descriptive names is important for anyone researching a potential surgeon.
The Formal Title: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
The officially recognized and unified title for a surgeon in this specialty is Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon. This name reflects the dual nature of the practice, which involves both improving appearance and restoring form and function lost due to trauma, disease, or birth defects. The term “plastic” in this context does not refer to the synthetic material, but instead comes from the ancient Greek word plastikos, meaning “to mold or to shape”. This etymology highlights the surgeon’s role in sculpting and reforming living tissue.
The specialty inherently includes both aesthetic, or cosmetic, surgery and reconstructive procedures within its core training curriculum. Procedures to correct congenital issues like cleft palates, or to rebuild a breast after a mastectomy, are considered reconstructive. Conversely, operations like rhinoplasty or face-lifts are considered aesthetic, though many procedures, such as those following massive weight loss, blur this line. In 1999, the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons formally adopted the name American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), confirming that both aspects are covered under the single, official designation.
The Critical Role of Board Certification
The designation of “Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon” is only fully validated by certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This certification process is a verification of rigorous, accredited training that goes beyond a basic medical license. Achieving ABPS certification requires a minimum of six years of accredited residency training, including significant time dedicated specifically to plastic surgery. The training includes exposure to the full range of procedures, such as craniofacial surgery, hand surgery, and burn treatment.
Following the residency, candidates must pass a comprehensive written examination before submitting a list of their completed operations for review. This operative log is scrutinized by the ABPS to ensure the physician has experience across the required breadth of the specialty. The final step is an oral examination, which tests the surgeon’s judgment and ability to manage complications. Maintaining certification requires continuous education and successful completion of annual assessments and written exams every five years.
Any licensed physician can legally call themselves a “cosmetic surgeon” without having completed a plastic surgery residency because “cosmetic surgery” is not recognized as a distinct medical specialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). A physician who lacks ABPS-accredited training may only have taken short courses to perform aesthetic procedures. This means they have not received the extensive training in complex anatomy or complication management required of a board-certified plastic surgeon.
Navigating Specialized and Confusing Titles
The terms used to describe surgeons who perform aesthetic procedures are often confusing because they can be self-designated or represent training in other surgical fields. The title “Cosmetic Surgeon” is the most common source of public confusion, as it is a descriptive term rather than an official designation of accredited training. These individuals frequently come from specialties like Otolaryngology, Dermatology, or Obstetrics and Gynecology, and perform aesthetic procedures without the comprehensive plastic surgery residency.
Other specialized titles use “plastic” or “facial plastic” but refer to a more limited, non-ABPS certification. For instance, a surgeon certified in Facial Plastic Surgery completed an accredited residency in Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery followed by a fellowship focused on the face. Similarly, an Oculoplastic Surgeon is an ophthalmologist who has specialized in procedures around the eyes and orbit. While these surgeons have extensive training in their sub-specialized areas, only the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon possesses the ABPS certification demonstrating expertise across the entire body’s form and function.