What type of surgery is elective and focuses on enhancing appearance?

The correct answer encompasses both cosmetic surgery and aesthetic surgery, as these terms are often used interchangeably to refer to procedures that are elective and primarily focused on enhancing a person’s appearance.

Cosmetic surgery includes a wide range of procedures, such as facelifts, breast augmentations, and liposuction, that aim to improve aesthetic appeal and are not typically medically necessary. The goal of this type of surgery is to enhance the individual's physical appearance, addressing specific concerns about how they look.

Aesthetic surgery also pertains to the enhancement of appearance but may sometimes include a broader view that incorporates artistic principles into surgical techniques. Both cosmetic and aesthetic surgeries involve patient choice and are performed to improve or alter personal aesthetics rather than to treat medical conditions.

Reconstructive surgery, in contrast, is performed to correct deformities or restore function due to injury, congenital conditions, or medical conditions, making it fundamentally different in purpose and nature from the surgeries that fall under the elective and aesthetic categories.