Where's The "Plastic" In Plastic Surgery?
by Mike Jones
mike@bodyfaq.com
Don't be looking for the Dupont Company sales rep the next time you visit a
Plastic Surgeon's office because, despite popular belief, there's no "Plastic"
in Plastic Surgery. The name is taken from the Greek word "plastikos" which
means to "mold or shape."
Initially plastic surgery procedures were limited to facial and body
reconstruction caused by accidents, trauma, illness or birth defects. As people
began to see the purely cosmetic possibilities, many surgeons expanded their
services to include facelifts, rhinoplasty (nose jobs), breast augmentation and
liposuction.
It's important to know the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic
surgery, especially if you're planning on having your insurance company foot the
bill for your procedure.
Cosmetic surgery is performed solely to improve a person's outward physical
appearance and self-esteem by correcting naturally occurring conditions that the
patient is unhappy with. Cosmetic surgery may be performed by either a Plastic
Surgeon or a Cosmetic Surgeon. Cosmetic surgery is generally not covered by
health insurance.
Reconstructive plastic surgery is performed to correct or reduce the effects of
congenital defects, accidental trauma injury, infections, tumors, and other
health-related conditions. It's primary purpose is rarely to simply improve
appearance except for extreme cases involving major facial or bodily damage
resulting from automobile accidents, etc. Plastic Surgery may only be performed
by a Plastic Surgeon.
In most cases insurance does pay for plastic surgery although there are some
cases where your claim may be reduced or denied completely. That's why it is
always important to coordinate the planned procedure with your health insurance
provider BEFORE you get the procedure.
Often times the difference between whether or not your insurance company will
cover the bill is the REASON for the procedure. If, for example, you are having
your nose reshaped because you're unhappy with your profile -- no deal. You're
on your own. However, get that same nose job because your doctor has diagnosed a
chronic breathing problem that results in the potentially dangerous condition
known as "Sleep Apnea" and you could end up with a new nose courtesy of your
health insurance provider!
If you are planning to visit a Plastic Surgeon, keep the following items in
mind:
Your plastic surgeon should be "Board Certified" by the American Board of
Plastic Surgery;
If your doctor will be using anesthesia then make sure that only a licensed
Anesthesiologist administers the medicine and make sure that the facility where
the procedure is being performed is accredited by at least one of the following
organizations:
-
American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities(AAAASF
-
Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)
-
Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
Although making sure that all of these certifications are present is no
guarantee of a trouble-free experience, NOT having these certifications means
that both the doctor performing plastic surgery, as well as the people who run
the facility, have a serious lack of regard for your health and well being! You
should NEVER use an uncertified plastic surgeon or facility. The risk is simply
not worth it.
About the author:
There are 11 questions you should ask when
contemplating cosmetic surgery. View them
and related information on Mike Jones'
health body & beauty site. Click here:
http://www.bodyfaq.com/cosmetic-surgery.html
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