Plastic surgery has two main components: reconstructive plastic surgery which is all about restoring appearance and function to the human body after illness or accident and aesthetic (often called “cosmetic”) plastic surgery which is done to change the appearance from choice

Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body (caused by injury, disease, or birth defects) to improve function or to approximate a more normal appearance and to correct deformities present from birth, such as a cleft palate, or the results of injuries, diseases, or burns. Reconstructive procedures are generally considered medically necessary and are usually covered by insurance while cosmetic procedures are not.

Although you hear people mostly talking about cosmetic plastic surgery, the main work of nearly all plastic surgeons is reconstructive: covering all aspects of wound healing and reconstruction after congenital, acquired and traumatic problems, with aesthetic surgery playing a smaller but important part in their working week.