Cosmetic Surgery vs. Plastic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery are often incorrectly grouped together or mistaken for one another. Both fields can address different concerns and conditions, though there is some overlap. Cosmetic surgeons and plastic surgeons are required to meet different training requirements and learn different techniques. It is critical for patients to understand the differences between the two to ensure they will receive the best treatment for their case.

Cosmetic surgery focuses primarily on elevating and refining aesthetic appearance. (1) Cosmetic procedures can enhance the breasts, face, abdomen, and more. While these procedures are not considered medically necessary, they can still improve patients’ quality of life, allowing them to feel like the most confident version of themselves.

Meanwhile, plastic surgery focuses on reconstructive techniques and functional corrections. However, plastic surgeons still prioritize an optimal aesthetic appearance, incorporating cosmetic techniques to ensure the patient receives the best-looking results possible. (2) For both fields, cosmetic training is often paramount for results that look and feel natural.

At New Life Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa, Dr. Daniel Lee, DO, is a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon. He is board-certified in cosmetic surgery, family medicine, and obstetrics and gynecology, enabling him to provide nuanced care to each of his patients.

If you are ready to learn more, schedule a consultation with Dr. Lee online or call your preferred office directly:

About Cosmetic Surgery

Cosmetic surgery is a specialized field of medicine that focuses primarily on enhancing a patient’s appearance. Cosmetic procedures can elevate and refine the symmetry, shape, proportions, and aesthetic appearance of certain features or body parts. These procedures can address essentially any region of the body, including the face, neck, torso, arms, legs, intimate regions, and more.

Cosmetic procedures are typically considered elective procedures, as they are not medically necessary to address things like discomfort and improper functioning. Cosmetic surgeons may come from other fields of surgery, such as general surgery or plastic surgery, but anyone interested in this field must undergo additional training that is specific to cosmetic surgery. (3)

Common cosmetic surgery procedures include:

About Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty that corrects facial and body defects due to congenital disorders, trauma, disease or sickness, and burns. Plastic surgery is considered a reconstructive field. (2) Many plastic surgeons undergo cosmetic training; having this skillset ensures that their results appear natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing.

Common plastic surgical procedures include:

  • Breast Reconstruction
  • Scar Revision Procedures
  • Hand Surgery
  • Burn Repair Surgery

What Does it Mean to Be a Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon?

You will likely see the phrase “board-certified” while you are searching for a surgeon for your procedure. Board certification means the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery recognizes their training—this is the only organization that certifies surgeons exclusively in cosmetic surgery.

Board-certified cosmetic surgeons actively perform at the highest level of cosmetic surgery, and the board requires them to meet several criteria to maintain their status. These include:

  • Spending a full year training exclusively in cosmetic surgery.
  • Performing a minimum of 300 individual cosmetic surgeries on the face, body, and breasts.
  • Receiving additional training in non-surgical treatments, such as injectables, laser treatments, and skin care.
  • Only operating in accredited hospitals and surgical centers.
  • Taking comprehensive oral and written exams that cover each aspect of cosmetic surgery. (2)

Choosing the Best Type of Surgeon for Your Procedure

When searching for a cosmetic surgeon, you must consider the type of procedure you are seeking, your desired results, and the training and experience of your surgeon. A cosmetic surgeon should perform procedures regarding aesthetic enhancements, such as breast enhancements or body contouring procedures. This is because surgeons in this field possess the right expertise, training, qualifications, and certifications, rather than just the title of being a surgeon. Choosing a board-certified cosmetic surgeon also signifies that the surgeon has completed extra training and actively maintains and practices at the highest standards of this field.

Why Choose Dr. Lee

Dr. Lee is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon with extensive experience across several fields. He has completed extensive training in multiple residencies and fellowships, which he attributes to making him the surgeon he is today. Dr. Lee is dedicated to helping his patients look and feel their best!

Dr. Lee’s Most Popular Cosmetic Procedures

Dr. Lee offers a variety of surgical procedures that target different regions of the body, including the face, chest, arms, legs, and more. He can perform these procedures individually or together for more comprehensive results. Dr. Lee will tailor your procedure to your specific concerns, goals, and unique anatomy.

A few of his procedures include:

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is a procedure that can improve the size, shape, and symmetry of your breasts using either implants or your body’s own fat. Often, as a result of aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight loss, the breasts can lose volume. Other patients may have naturally small breasts and wish to increase their size. With a breast augmentation, Dr. Lee can enhance the breasts to provide you with a stunning figure you can feel confident about.

Liposuction

Liposuction, or suction-assisted lipectomy, is a body-contouring procedure that removes diet-resistant fat from the body. (4) Dr. Lee can perform liposuction on almost any region of the body that has excess fat, including the arms, legs, breasts, abdomen, and more. Other procedures commonly incorporate liposuction to create more cohesive results. Dr. Lee uses the tumescent method, which is considered the gold standard of liposuction. For more precise sculpting and muscle enhancements, Dr. Lee can perform HD liposuction to help you refine your figure.

Tummy Tuck

A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that can refine the appearance of your abdomen by removing excess skin and addressing muscle separation (diastasis recti). (5) With a tummy tuck, you can achieve a flatter, more proportionate midsection and a more defined waist, depending on your aesthetic goals.

Mommy Makeover

A mommy makeover is a customizable combination of procedures to address the physical changes often caused by pregnancy. Dr. Lee typically incorporates liposuction, a tummy tuck, and breast enhancement, but other procedures can be added to address different concerns.

Cost of Cosmetic Surgery in McAllen, Boerne, San Antonio

The cost of cosmetic procedures varies depending on several factors, including the type of procedure performed, the extent of the corrections, anesthesia fees, and more. During your personal consultation, Dr. Lee will give you a cost estimate for your procedure. New Life Cosmetic Surgery & Medspa offers financing for those who qualify.

To learn more about the cost of your cosmetic procedure, please schedule a consultation online or call the office most convenient for you:

FAQ

What is the main difference between cosmetic and plastic surgery?

Cosmetic surgical procedures focus on improving the aesthetic appearance of functioning features. On the other hand, plastic surgery is more reconstructive in nature and focuses on improving function. There can be some overlap in these fields, as cosmetic techniques are very important for certain types of plastic surgery, where results will be more visible.

Why should I consider undergoing cosmetic surgery?

Many of Dr. Lee’s patients find that undergoing a procedure can help them improve their self-esteem and body positivity, leading to greater improvements in their overall confidence.

Does it take longer to recover from cosmetic procedures or plastic procedures?

Your recovery time will vary depending on factors such as the exact type of procedure you are receiving, the extent of your concerns, how quickly your body heals itself, and more, rather than whether your procedure is cosmetic or functional.

What type of procedures are cosmetic procedures?

Breast-enhancing procedures, facial rejuvenation treatments, and body-contouring procedures are all examples of cosmetic surgery procedures, as surgeons perform these to refine your appearance.

Can Dr. Lee combine several different cosmetic surgical procedures?

Yes, Dr. Lee may perform several procedures within one sitting to achieve more comprehensive, transformative results. To learn more about combining procedures, please schedule a consultation.

References

  1. Barone M, Cogliandro A, Persichetti P. Ethics and Plastic Surgery/What is Plastic Surgery? Archives of Plastic Surgery. 2017;44(1):90-92. doi:https://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2017.44.1.90
  2. AMERICAN BOARD OF COSMETIC SURGERY. Cosmetic Surgery vs. Plastic Surgery | American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. Published 2009. https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/patient-resources/cosmetic-surgery-vs-plastic-surgery/
  3. American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery. AACS Certified Cosmetic Fellowship Program. Published 2025. https://cosmeticsurgery.org/fellowships/general/
  4. Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/
  5. Regan JP, Casaubon JT. Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck). PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431058/
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