Plastic surgery: an annotated bibliography “Aesthetic surgery vs. Plastic surgery.” American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, 2016. Web. February 11, 2016. Although cosmetic surgery and plastic surgery both involve enhancing a patient's body, the general principles and philosophies that guide training, research, and goals for a patient's outcomes differ. Cosmetic surgery procedures and techniques are entirely based on improving the patient's appearance. Key goals may include improving ascetic appeal, symmetry and proportions. Cosmetic surgery is performed by doctors from various medical fields, including plastic surgeons. The scope of cosmetic surgery includes breast augmentation and facial contouring. Therefore, the title "certified plastic surgeon" indicates a specific level of experience in plastic surgery, but it does not necessarily relate to the same thing when it comes to cosmetic surgery, as training may not include many common cosmetic procedures. Additionally, the title does not indicate whether a doctor has more or less experience training in cosmetic surgery than a doctor certified in another specialty. Since there are no residency programs in the United States devoted exclusively to cosmetic surgery, cosmetic surgeons typically gain training and experience after receiving their residency training. A post-residency fellowship must be completed, during which a minimum of 300 individual cosmetic surgery procedures will be performed. One must be able to manage complex wounds, use implantable materials and perform tumor surgery. A foundation in physiology, pathology, surgical anatomy and other basic sciences is required for this specialty. Additionally, a plastic surgeon must also be able to combine basic knowledge, ethics, technical expertise, surgical judgment, and interpersonal skills to achieve satisfactory relationships with patients. Fortunately, this field is an excellent choice for those looking to have a flexible professional lifestyle, as plastic surgery can provide practitioners with lifelong satisfaction in the practice of surgery. This field is ideal for those who have a calm but enthusiastic character, eager to take on new challenges, learn new technologies and continually develop their skills. The field of plastic surgery is constantly evolving, which is why plastic surgeons must be leaders willing to accept responsibility for the outcome of their work.