Where's The "Plastic" In Plastic Surgery?
By Mike Jones
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 occuring 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.
Credit: Mike Jones of BodyFAQ.com, the health, body & beauty information
site.
Click here for related information on Cosmetic Surgery:
http://www.bodyfaq.com/cosmetic-surgery.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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