Because many plastic surgeons also market themselves as cosmetic surgeons, the two terms are often used interchangeably. Globally, the medical community recognizes distinct differences between two basic categories of procedures:

• surgery to repair damage and restore function to areas of the body that are injured or have congenital defects (burn scars, cleft palates, deviated septum, etc.)

• surgery to make specific areas of the body appear more attractive and/or youthful (breast augmentation, facelift, liposuction, etc.)