Plastic surgery is a surgical sub-specialty that deals with healing and restoration of form and function in the human body. Derived from the Greek word “plastikos” meaning to mold or to shape, plastic surgeons are masters of anatomy with the ability to operate on any part of the body. The specialty has evolved to include aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery, specifically addressing rejuvenation and the restoration of a youthful appearance. This is in addition to the traditional reconstructive role a plastic surgeon plays in repairing injury, disfigurement, and scarring from trauma, disease, congenital defects, or cancer.

Becoming a plastic surgeon is a highly selective process. Becoming a physician requires 4 years of college followed by 4 years of medical school. Following this, plastic surgeons usually train as general surgeons before applying for a fellowship in plastic surgery. Plastic surgery training is highly competitive with upwards of 50-100 applications for each position at the best training programs. Plastic surgeons may choose to complete an optional sub-specialty fellowship in aesthetics (cosmetic), craniofacial, hand, or microvascular surgery. The application process for a sub-specialty fellowship program can be even more selective. For the best programs, 20-30 plastic surgeons may be competing for 1 position. In total, a plastic surgeon may spend 6-10 years training after medical school! Both Dr. Jerome Liu and Dr. Tom Liu are fully-trained in plastic surgery and have both completed additional fellowship training in aesthetic (cosmetic) surgery.

Aesthetic surgery, also known as cosmetic surgery, seeks to improve an individual’s appearance. These types of operations most often involve the nose, ears, face, forehead, eyelids, breasts, abdomen, hips and thighs. Although the terms “aesthetic” and “cosmetic” are often used interchangeably, they are not synonymous. The term “aesthetic” has been widely adopted by the plastic surgery community to differentiate the specialty from other non-plastic surgery providers who perform “cosmetic surgery”.

All plastic surgeons are trained in cosmetic surgery but not all “cosmetic surgeons” are plastic surgeons. In fact, many “cosmetic surgeons” are actually not surgeons at all (never completed a surgical residency). Many “cosmetic surgeons” or “cosmetic practitioners” had their core training in medical specialties such as emergency medicine, anesthesiology, family practice, radiology or dermatology. If you are confused (and many are) don’t hesitate to ask your plastic surgeon to sit down and explain the difference. A genuine plastic surgeon will never shy away from explaining the difference or clarify his/her training.

Wielding a knife is only a small part of being a surgeon. Proper surgical training through an accredited surgical residency program cultivates the maturity, judgment, medical background, and ethical values that are important to being a surgeon.

Although all plastic surgeons are trained in aesthetic surgery, some plastic surgeons have dedicated themselves to additional specialized training in a particular area of plastic surgery. Aesthetic (cosmetic) plastic surgery is a discipline within plastic surgery that specializes in cosmetic operations and procedures of the face, breast, and body. A fellowship in aesthetic surgery provides additional training in the subtle, but essential, nuances of analysis, planning, and judgment for cosmetic surgery. In addition, aesthetic fellowships are often directed by world renowned surgeons offering a unique opportunity to “learn from the very best.”

No. The healing process happens differently in each patient. Therefore, there are many factors that are beyond the surgeon’s control. Beyond the usual criteria of proper training, pedigree, and technical skill, choosing a surgeon that you feel comfortable with is the most important thing to improve your chances of a positive experience. Both Dr. Jerome Liu and Dr. Tom Liu have gone to great lengths to refine their technical expertise and to train at the best institutions throughout the United States. More importantly, they will listen to your needs, provide an honest opinion, and cultivate the doctor-patient relationship.

All new cosmetic patients must pay a consultation fee. This is a nominal fee that can be used towards any surgical or non-surgical procedures. We recognize that some offices charge consultation fees and others do not. However, we believe that our consultation fee helps insure first class patient care by decreasing cancellations and increasing the amount of uninterrupted time we spend with each patient. In short, by charging a consultation fee, we are able to improve both the quantity and quality of time we spend with the patient.