Important Differences Between Cosmetic Surgery And Plastic Surgery
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.
Related Tags: cosmetic surgery, laser hair removal, cosmetic procedures, cosmetic surgery financing
Cosmetic surgery is best thought of as surgery that has the goal of improving form, appearance and self-esteem. It is a way of altering the shape of a patient's body for the purpose of making the patient feel better, more emotionally than physically most of the time. Plastic surgery, on the other hand, helps patients to regain functionality, which has positive effects both emotionally and physically.
Because the procedures are not "medically necessary" the cosmetic surgery cost must be borne by the patient. Medical insurance plans do not cover surgery that is not required for the maintenance or improvement of a patient's physical health. Surgeries that do maintain or improve physical functioning are, by definition, not cosmetic, and are therefore covered as medically necessary procedures by insurance companies.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Collagen Vs. Aging: Which One You Like?
For some people, growing old does not only mean wisdom and experience, but also wrinkles and lines o - Can Hgh Supplements Make You Younger?
Medical science has discovered several reasons why people grow older and then die and two of the mai - Shopping For a Natural Skin Cream?
You really need to be sure that the natural skin cream you are thinking of purchasing truly contains - How To Look Younger When You Are Getting Older
As well as the natural affects of aging, skin is constantly exposed to weather damage, pollution and - Tips For Your Anti-Aging Needs
Smoking and drinking became part of a great number of individuals lifestyle nowadays. For decades, m - Three Anti Aging Skin Care Steps to Your Most Youthful and Beautiful Facial Complexion
As time marches on, you can begin to see the effects of aging on your facial skin. Your most youthfu - 2 Simple Questions to Ask About the Best Wrinkle Remover
You won't find the best wrinkle remover on sale here at this website. But, if you read this article, - A Unique Wrinkle Cream Comparison
Here's a wrinkle cream comparison that's unique. Most reviewers compare brand names based on arbitra - Easy Tips to Preserve Your Youthful Look-Why Beauty Isn't Always Skin Deep
When you were young, you couldn't wait to get old. Now that you're getting old, you want to stay you - Is Solar Genesis Effective?
Before trying to figure out whether solar genesis would work, let's try to understand what solar gen
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Anti-Aging FAQ: Skin Care And Anti-Aging
* Can diet and exercise prevent wrinkles? Yes! Besides overexposure to sun, unhealthy habits like e - Antiaging Skin Care Tips
It's a fact of life, no matter how much we try to deny it - as we get older, our body ages. It cann - How Much Do You Know About Aging And Long-term Care Insurance?
While aging individuals aren't the only people who find themselves in need of long-term care, indivi - Searching for the Ultimate Antiaging Skincare Product
It may seem unbelievable but in my search for the secret to the best antiaging skincare product, I f - Alternative To Botox
However, you will want to make yourself as knowledgeable on each Botox alternative as you can, so th - Baby Boomer, Babies No More
All you can hear are voices, and everything seems to be going too fast. You slowly see a bright ligh - Toward Berry Good Aging
As Canadians live longer and pay more attention to diet and healthy lifestyles, those in middle to u - Stop Wrinkles - Wear Your Frownies
A while back I was standing in a store checkout line waiting my turn when I spotted a magazine featu - The Anti-Aging Diet
As we age, we are faced with a reduced metabolism, memory loss, wrinkles, increased risk for chronic - Is Anti-Aging Action In Red Wine And Resveratrol Real?
Results of various studies have indicated that daily consumption of three to five glasses of red win