Don't be looking for the Dupont Company sales rep the next time you visit a Plastic Surgeon's office because, regardless of well-known belief, there's no "Plastic" in Plastic Surgery. The name is taken from the Greek word "plastikos" which means to "mold or shape."
At first plastic surgery methods had been restricted to facial and body reconstruction brought on by accidents, trauma, sickness 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 is essential to know the difference between plastic surgery and cosmetic surgery, especially if you are 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 the patient is unhappy with. Cosmetic surgery might be performed by either a Plastic Surgeon or a Cosmetic Surgeon. Cosmetic surgery is generally not covered by health insurance.
Reconstructive plastic surgical treatment is carried out to correct or reduce the results of congenital defects, accidental trauma injury, infections, tumors, and other health-related conditions. It's main purpose is rarely to simply improve appearance other than for extreme cases involving major facial or bodily damage caused by car accidents, etc. Plastic Surgery might only be performed by a Plastic Surgeon. In many cases insurance coverage does pay for plastic surgery even though there are some cases exactly where your claim may be reduced or denied completely. This is exactly why it's always essential 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 unsatisfied with your profile -- no deal. You're on your own. Nevertheless, get that same nose job because your physician has diagnosed a chronic breathing problem that leads to the possibly hazardous condition known as "Sleep Apnea" and you could end up with a new nose courtesy of your health insurance provider!
If you are preparing 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 certain 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)
Even though ensuring 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 need to Never use an uncertified plastic surgeon or facility. The risk is simply not worth it.
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