The plastic surgery industry is vast, and covers a wide range of procedures and body parts. Most people have probably heard of the terms ‘cosmetic surgery’ and ‘reconstructive surgery’, but while it is easy to think the two are interchangeable, that is not the case. Cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery are two different procedures, and while this may be initially confusing, in this article, we will clarify this and discuss the similarities and differences between both. Cosmetic Surgery Cosmetic surgery refers to surgical procedures that are elective, meaning that they are not a medical necessity. People generally choose to have cosmetic surgery to alter their physical appearance. Reasons for this may include a personal dislike in how they look or a lack of self-esteem, among many other reasons. It is, however, always a conscious decision. Some of the common cosmetic procedures that people get include: Facelift – to remove wrinkles and other signs of aging Tummy tuck – rem...