Where's The "Plastic" In Plastic Surgery?
Mike Jones
Mike Jones' health, body & beauty site: 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.
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: www.bodyfaq.com/cosmetic-surgery.html
Mike Jones' health, body & beauty site: BodyFaq.com
© Mike Jones, 2005 – All Rights Reserved
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