Plastic Surgery FAQs

in Denver, Colorado

Are plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons the same?

No. Plastic surgeons are physicians who have trained first in the area of general surgery, and then done additional residency training specifically in plastic and reconstructive surgery. It usually takes anywhere from six to nine years after graduating from medical school to train to be a plastic surgeon. These surgeons are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and are members of The American Society of Plastic Surgery. You must look specifically for these credentials when seeking a reputable plastic surgeon. Those who specialize in cosmetic surgery will often be members of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The fact of the matter is that the vast majority of cosmetic surgery is done, and appropriately so, by plastic surgeons. The term "cosmetic surgeon", however, was actually coined by physicians and groups of physicians who are not trained plastic surgeons, but have decided to do plastic surgery anyway. They frequently tout unrecognized credentials such as the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, which does in fact, not legally exist. We are frequently in the situation of buyer beware when physicians advertise themselves as cosmetic surgeons or even plastic surgeons and claim to be certified when they are in fact not trained in plastic surgery. Do your homework carefully.

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If you are interested in finding a plastic surgeon in the Denver, Colorado area, contact us or call 303-321-3210 to schedule a consultation.

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