Is there a differnce in the skils in plastic or cosmetic surgery?
As I have indicated the terms plastic surgery of plastic surgeon and cosmetic surgery or cosmetic surgeon are in many ways "turf wars" about who is "best" to perform the procedures disguised under the idea of who is the safest for the patient. The reality is the people using the terms are tyring to cut the market for people who want to change their appearance into pieces and protect the piece for established practitioner. As the procedures have developed the "plastic surgery" fraternity who have control of who gains access to hospital theatre time have attempted to reduce the attempts of the "cosmetic surgery" fraternity to gain access to perform the procedures. What happens in terms of training the skills of cosmetic procedures are not taught as a dedicate part of medical training or any specialist course and are acquired by specialised short courses in particular procedures and courses "preceptor ship" learning many undertaken with leading practitioners in the field and constant mentorship during the acquisition of skills.
The arguments have been about safety and outcomes of the plastic surgery versus cosmetic surgery groups. However, I have yet to see any practical evidence to indicate any one group is better or safer and the reverse is that I have seen both excellent and poor results from both groups.
Also the public does not care. The demand shows that people just want the work done at reasonable price. It must be that, thats why people are coming to see me. What does not help the development of the field is though either side of the plastic surgery versus cosmetic surgery basks in the adverse outcomes of the other that makes the press (generally though "leaks" from on side or the other). I think that a change is called for!
So what skills do I have?
I have been mentord by several senior practitioner in Australia who I will not name publically to protect them from the adverse comments of the plastic surgery versus cosmetic surgery debate but to say that I keep in constant contact and respect and try to improve on their methodologies. As well I have since 1996 travelled regularly to the USA to attend training and gain precentorship experiences with highly regarded practitioners in particular procedures. I have advanced to the state of recognition that I have now been asked to return to the USA to speak on my expertise in some of these fields later in 2010. I feel very confident in the following procedures:
1. Labia Surgery (including clitoral hood reduction and Labia Majora reduction and adjustment
2. Vaginal Tightening
3. Liposuction of all areas of the body, including permanent correction of excess sweating under the arms
4. Breast Augmentation using saline and silicon Breast Implants
5. Tummy Tucks
6. Correction of the sagging eyelids, known as blephroplasty
7. Adjustment of the mid face and jowls using absorbable thread placement and if required modified face lifting
8. Correction of loss of facial volume with fat transfer and permanent filler
