The difference Between a Plastic and General Surgeon

By: Our Staff

6/1/2022

  • Can a general surgeon be a plastic surgeon?
  • Can a plastic surgeon perform surgery for a patient with skin deformation or impairment due to an accident?
  • What are the various conditions that a plastic surgeon can correct?
  • What is the difference between general and plastic surgeons?

“As a plastic surgeon, I do a lot of stuff. My work is not just limited to liposuction, BBL, body lift, breast lift, or breast augmentation. One must know the differences between a general and plastic surgeon to understand the problem and the required surgery. If you have a clear concept of what you are seeking, it would be easier to find the right surgeon for your concern.” So says Dr. Katzen, a plastic surgeon.

The questions mentioned above will help you understand the differences between plastic and general surgeon and make you feel confident about what you are looking for. However, answering the top questions regarding general and plastic surgery has always been a prime concern for Beverly Hills, CA and Las Vegas, NV plastic surgeons.

CAN A GENERAL SURGEON BE A PLASTIC SURGEON?

Before further plastic surgery specialization, every specialist surgeon has to go through a general surgical residency program. Most general surgery residencies are 5-7 years long. After general surgery residency, most plastic surgery residencies are 3-4 years. Therefore, any general surgeon can be a plastic surgeon with advanced 3-4 years of training.

CAN A PLASTIC SURGEON PERFORM SURGERY FOR A PATIENT WITH SKIN DEFORMATION OR IMPAIRMENT DUE TO AN ACCIDENT?

Yes, a plastic surgeon can reshape deformed body parts and treat the defects that arise from accidents or injuries.

WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS CONDITIONS THAT A PLASTIC SURGEON CAN CORRECT?

A plastic surgeon can correct physical birth defects, breast augmentation, breast size reduction, nose reshaping, chin reshaping, jawline correction, burn injuries, eyelid lift, breast cancer reconstruction, complex hand surgery, facelifting, scar revision, and hair transplant, to name a just few.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GENERAL SURGEON AND A PLASTIC SURGEON?

A plastic surgeon can perform two types of procedures. One type is reconstructive procedures to correct body or facial defects or deformities. The second type is cosmetic procedures that involve beautifying facial and body features. Plastic surgery molds, reshapes, and reduces disfigurement caused by birth, accident, injury, burn, or diseases.

A general surgeon does surgeries that entail a better life physically and mentally and provide comfort. General surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on abdominal contents, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, appendix and bile ducts, and thyroid gland.

Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, M.D., Beverly Hills, CA, underwent general surgery training. Dr. Katzen completed a fellowship in burn surgeries that involved pretty much-treating burn victims 24/7 a day. Dr. Timothy Katzen is well-versed and specialized in performing skin grafts and debridement. Dr. Katzen has treated many patients who had flash burns, fire burns, and electric burns.

Have a look at what Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, M.D., Beverly Hills, CA, has a specialty for doing advanced plastic surgeries:

Dr. J. Timothy Katzen did another fellowship after his plastic surgery, craniofacial surgery. Craniofacial surgery is surgery on the cranium and the face of patients that have had facial or brain tumor resections or were born with congenital abnormalities.

Craniosynostosis, cleft lip, and cleft palate are Dr. Katzen's favorite craniofacial procedures.

There are very challenging and extremely rewarding surgeries. Another surgery that Dr. Katzen loves to perform is endoscopic pituitary tumor removal. Endoscopic pituitary tumor removal is for patients who have brain tumors or pituitary tumors. I go through the nose to access the base of the brain, find these pituitary tumors, and remove these pituitary tumors.

Dr. Katzen completed another plastic surgery fellowship, namely micro-surgery. Microsurgery is surgery performed under a microscope. Microsurgery is useful for replantation surgery, which is another type of surgery that plastic surgeons perform.

Replantation surgery is re-attaching amputated parts like fingers. Dr. Katzen has successfully replanted many fingers, thumbs, ears, nasal tips, and even hands.

Call TODAY to schedule your plastic or general surgery consultation. For your convenience, Dr. Katzen has offices in Beverly Hills, CA, Las Vegas, NV, and Dubai, UAE. Physical or virtual consultations can be arranged. Virtual consultation options include FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, and WhatsApp. Call TODAY at (310) 859-7770 or email [email protected] to schedule your consultation and achieve your desired body and facial profile.

* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.