3. Is it true that Plastic Surgeons only perform reconstruction procedures?What is the difference between Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon and Cosmetic Surgeon?

A surgeon cannot call himself a plastic surgeon unless he can do both aesthetic/cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Since the very root of almost all cosmetic procedure can be trace from early reconstructive procedure. Thus a surgeon whose main interest is aesthetic/cosmetic surgery, must have a firm foundation in reconstructive plastic surgery, to better grasp the basic principle and application of cosmetic/aesthetic plastic surgery. Reconstructive plastic surgery is a prerequisite in training for all plastic surgeons. So plastic surgeons is both a cosmetic/aesthetic and reconstructive surgeon.

It takes 6 to 8 years of training in burn surgery, aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery in an accredited institution before physician could call himself a Plastic Surgeon.  This formal training will include 3 to 5 years of General Surgery and 3 years of Burns, Cosmetic/Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Training. In the Philippines, there are only few training institutions with an accredited plastic surgery program and   recognized by the Philippine College of Surgeons, this includes the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH), University of Sto.Tomas (UST), ) University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Makati Medical Center, Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Rizal Medical Center (comprising CONSORTIUM I), Far Eastern University, St. Lukes Medical Center, Lourdes Hospital and Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center (comprising CONSORTIUM II). Both the Philippine Board of Plastic Surgeon (PBPS) and Philippine Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon (PAPRAS) are recognized by the Philippine Collage of Surgeon and Philippine Medical Association to monitor and regulate the practice of cosmetic surgery in the country. With the complexity of cosmetic plastic surgery procedures, it is not enough for a surgeon to just undergo months or even a year of observer ship or training in an unaccredited establishment. To better comprehend all the principles and applications in the field of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, your doctor must have years of formal training in Plastic Surgery.