Definition

Noun: A medical doctor who specializes in performing surgical procedures to reconstruct, repair, or alter parts of the human body, primarily for cosmetic or functional improvement. The term often emphasizes procedures related to appearance, especially of the face, but also includes reconstructive surgery following injury or illness.

Usage

This term is used to refer to a specific type of medical specialist. It functions as a countable noun. * You should consult a plastic surgeon for that procedure. * She is a highly skilled plastic surgeon. * The plastic surgeon explained the risks and benefits.

Examples

• After the accident, he was referred to a plastic surgeon for facial reconstruction.
• The plastic surgeon specialized in rhinoplasty and breast augmentation.
• Becoming a certified plastic surgeon requires many years of specialized training.

Advanced Usage

• Plastic and reconstructive surgeon: This is a more formal and comprehensive title that explicitly includes both cosmetic (aesthetic) and medically necessary reconstructive work.
  • She is not just a cosmetic doctor; she is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon.
• The field is plastic surgery, and the professional is a plastic surgeon.

Variants and Related Words

• Cosmetic surgeon: A surgeon who performs operations intended to improve appearance. While often used interchangeably with "plastic surgeon," a cosmetic surgeon may have a different certification path, and a plastic surgeon's training is broader, encompassing reconstructive procedures.
• Reconstructive surgeon: A surgeon focused on restoring form and function, often after trauma, cancer surgery, or due to congenital conditions. This is a key subspecialty within plastic surgery.
• Plastic surgery (n.): The medical specialty itself.
  • He works in the department of plastic surgery.

Synonyms

• Cosmetic surgeon
• Reconstructive surgeon

Related Phrases

• To undergo plastic surgery: To have an operation performed by a plastic surgeon.
  • She decided to undergo plastic surgery to correct the scar.
• Board-certified plastic surgeon: A plastic surgeon who has passed rigorous exams and met the standards of a professional board, such as the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
  • It is important to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Noun

1. a surgeon who beautifies the body (especially the face)