By Dr Ehsan Jadoon
Please note: MedAesthetics is a non-surgical cosmetic medicine clinic. Dr Ehsan Jadoon holds general registration as a medical practitioner — he is not a surgeon or a specialist and does not perform surgery. This article is general consumer education about the titles you may come across when researching cosmetic procedures.
A question I am often asked is: what is the difference between a cosmetic surgeon and a plastic surgeon? If you are not sure, you are not alone — the titles sound similar but they mean different things, and understanding them can help you make a safer, better-informed choice.
What “cosmetic surgery” means
As the name suggests, cosmetic surgery focuses on changing the appearance of the face and body for aesthetic reasons.
Historically in Australia, doctors from a range of medical backgrounds have provided cosmetic surgery, including:
- Plastic surgeons
- General surgeons
- ENT (facial plastics) surgeons
- Dermatologists
- Oculoplastic surgeons
- Obstetricians and gynaecologists
- General practitioners
- Procedural radiologists
- Maxillofacial surgeons
Because the backgrounds vary so widely, the title a practitioner uses does not, on its own, tell you what training they have completed.
What “plastic surgery” means
Plastic surgery is a recognised surgical specialty dedicated to the reconstruction of facial and body differences arising from birth conditions, trauma, burns or disease. It is largely reconstructive in nature — restoring function and form to affected areas of the body.
Many plastic surgeons undertake additional training and also perform cosmetic surgery. However, the foundation of their training is reconstructive plastic surgery. I have plastic surgeon colleagues who have never performed a cosmetic face lift or breast augmentation, working instead within the public health system, where cosmetic surgery is generally not publicly funded.
It is also worth knowing that there is no government-funded body in Australia that trains doctors exclusively in cosmetic surgery.
Why titles and registration matter most
The most reliable step is not to rely on a title, but to check the practitioner’s registration. In Australia:
- The use of the title “surgeon” by medical practitioners is now regulated, and there is a specific endorsement for those who meet the requirements to use the title “cosmetic surgeon”.
- You can look up any registered practitioner on the AHPRA public register, which shows their registration type and any endorsements or specialties.
- Choose a practitioner who is appropriately qualified and registered for the specific procedure you are considering, and ask about their training and experience.
Checking registration is a simple way to make sure the person you are considering is who and what you expect.
A note on MedAesthetics
To be clear about our own scope: MedAesthetics is a non-surgical clinic, and Dr Ehsan Jadoon holds general registration as a registered medical practitioner — not specialist registration, and not a “surgeon” title. We do not perform cosmetic surgery. If you would like to understand the non-surgical options that may be appropriate for you, you can arrange a consultation to discuss your goals along with the benefits, limitations and risks. Outcomes depend on the individual, and individual results vary.
