Dr Pietro di Mauro explains the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery in Marbella.
Making the decision to undergo any form of cosmetic surgery is a big step, and choosing the right surgeon can be difficult, particularly if you are not sure what expertise you should be looking for.
A good starting point when determining the type of doctor you need, is to understand the difference between plastic surgery, cosmetic surgery and to a lesser degree, aesthetic medicine. This is an important distinction to make, as each type of surgeon has a different type of training. Although many surgeons are well-trained and experienced, it is helpful to understand the difference in types of surgery, levels of skill required, training and subsequent credentials.
What is aesthetic medicine?
Firstly, let’s remove aesthetic medicine from the equation. As its name suggests, aesthetic medicine refers only to medical, non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures, for example laser hair removal, performed solely for the purpose of improving the appearance.
What is cosmetic surgery?
First and foremost, cosmetic surgery is elective, which means that the patient chooses to undergo the surgical procedure for cosmetic reasons, not to improve functionality. This can mean slight adjustments to improve the shape of a nose or liposuction to enhance a silhouette, or a boob job to lift or level up sagging or uneven breasts.
What is plastic surgery?
The field of plastic surgery covers a wider spectrum of medical procedures, including the above-mentioned cosmetic surgery and also reconstructive surgery. Reconstructive surgery is carried out to restore the appearance of a patient’s body or face, as the result of the accident or illness. For example, patients who has suffered burns or breast cancer.
Training is the difference between plastic and cosmetic surgery
Many of the processes used in plastic surgery are similar to the techniques used by cosmetic surgeons, but cosmetic surgeons and plastic surgeons undergo different training.
Cosmetic surgeons generally receive a basic surgical training and their specialist cosmetic surgery skills, experience and knowledge are generally acquired post-residency. This means that cosmetic surgeons can be qualified in a completely unrelated field of medicine, for example a gynaecologist, dermatologist or even a family doctor, yet decide to specialise in cosmetic surgery. The training and hands-on experience is much shorter than the rigorous training undertaken by plastic and reconstructive surgeons.
Plastic and reconstructive surgery training
Plastic surgeons undergo more extensive medical training. A certified plastic surgeon will undertake a surgical residency which includes all aspects of surgery, followed by more studies focused specifically on plastic and reconstructive surgery training.
Accredited specialist in plastic surgery
If you were in any doubt as to why Dr di Mauro is considered to be one of the best plastic cosmetic surgeons in Marbella, his qualifications and experience speak for themselves. Unlike many cosmetic surgeons, he is a qualified plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgeon who gained his Medicine and Surgery degree from Naples University, passed the MIR examination and studied Plastic and Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery at the Virgen de la Nieves Hospital in Granada, Spain. This was followed by rotations at the Chelsea Westminster Hospital in the burns and reconstructive surgery unit, the cosmetic surgery unit a Quiron Hospital in Madrid and collaborations with the plastic surgery unit at the Teknon Clinic in Barcelona.
Dr di Mauro is a member of the SECPRE (Sociedad Española de Cirugía Plástica, Reparadora y Estética), and he has written and presented numerous medical papers and undertaken multiple professional courses to ensure he is at the top of his profession and experienced in the latest cosmetic surgery techniques.
If you would like to find out more about Dr di Mauro’s cosmetic surgery expertise or accreditations, arrange a confidential no-obligation consultation, by calling 648 43 45 93.
Cosmetic surgeons are regulated by the Colegío de Médicos. To become a member, whether the medical practitioner is a Spanish national or foreign, surgeon’s must have undergone the requisite medical theoretic and practical training required to operate in any European country. If you want to find the best plastic surgeon in Marbella, a good starting point would be Colegio Oficial Médicos de Málaga https://commalaga.com/.
In order to gain the required certification in Spain, a surgeon specialising in plastic and reconstructive surgery must undertake a medical degree, sit the MIR medical exam and gain a minimum of 5-years specialist theoretic and practical training after their degree. Only then, can they be certified and qualified to carry out any type of plastic surgery.
Cosmetic surgery v plastic surgery is a common question. In simple terms, a plastic surgeon must undergo a rigorous programme of academic and hands-on training in general medicine and later specialist studies covering plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. Whereas cosmetic surgery can be carried out by a doctor who is qualified in an unrelated field of medicine, by undergoing a training course on their chosen field of cosmetic surgery. Therefore, when looking for the safest pair of hands, it is wise to choose a plastic surgeon.
