For a layperson or even professionals, the words “plastic surgery” and “cosmetic surgery” are use interchangeably. These words however pertain to two different categories of surgery that are currently available in the medical world.
Plastic surgery refers to the repair or replacement of physical defects of form or function involving the skin, musculoskeletal system, crainomaxillofacial structure, hand extremities, breast and trunk and external genitalia. Often a person seeks reconstructive surgery due to a malformation that they would like to have corrected. The most popular reconstructive procedures are tumor removal, laceration repair, scar repair and hand surgery.
Take for example the case for a breast issue. A breast augmentation, which is done to reconstruct the shape of the breast for aesthetics beauty is placed under the category of cosmetic surgery. A breast cancer on the other hand which requires the surgery of the breast due to health complications is placed under the category of plastic surgery.