Your plastic surgeon can recommend both surgical and non-surgical procedures to achieve the improvement in your appearance that you desire. Changing your appearance can have long-lasting effects on your self-esteem and give you a positive outlook that you might not have had before.
Although others may influence your decision to explore plastic surgery options, this is a personal choice based on your goals in pursuit of your own well-being. Plastic surgery, therefore, is a choice that you make for yourself in consultation with your doctor. Plastic surgery empowers you to make a change to uplift your appearance as well as your spirit.
Plastic Surgery Specialties
Plastic surgery is divided into two practice sub-specialties: cosmetic and reconstructive. Many surgeons perform both types of procedures, while others limit their practices to one or two sub-specialties. Plastic surgeons are doctors of medicine and have completed the requisite training, residencies and surgical rotations and provide a superior level of expertise and experience in their field when compared with general practitioners or surgeons in general.
Most plastic surgeons are members of one or more professional groups such as the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons as well as completing the requirements to become Board Certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery in their practice specialties. Advanced certifications such as Board Certification are evidence that the doctor you are considering for your procedure fulfills continuing medical education courses and is meeting all standards and is current on all innovations in procedures and treatments.
Where Procedures are Performed
Your procedure will be performed in an accredited medical facility that meets all operating standards set by state medical licensing boards. The doctor you select will have one or more of these accredited facilities at his or her disposal and you may choose the one that has a convenient location to your home or business.
Some procedures are in-office procedures while others require significant medical and technical resources to provide you with the post-operative care that you expect. Your surgeon has already vetted the facilities he or she uses, such as a hospital or other out-patient facility, and knows that the facility is equipped with the latest and best equipment for your needs. When there is a recuperation period involved, you will want to know that the facility your doctor has chosen will provide you with comfortable surroundings that will promote healing and offer you a superior level of attention to your needs while you are under their care.
Plastic Surgery Costs
Depending on if your surgery is cosmetic or reconstructive will determine if your procedure is covered by insurance or not. Typically, cosmetic procedures are elective and are not covered by most health insurance policies.
Reconstructive procedures, however, are generally included in a great many health insurance policies although you may want to check with your provider as to the actual coverage you have for the procedure you are considering.
Your plastic surgeon may also provide financing options through a provider they trust to help you find an affordable solution to getting you the procedure you need when you need it. Financing plans vary by provider but always give you the option of paying for your plastic surgery on a payment schedule that fits your budget. The cost of plastic surgery in your area is typically driven by a number of factors including surgeon supply, local economic health and demand for a particular procedure.
Plastic Surgery Patient Profile
Plastic surgery has become quite commonplace in American culture with more than 16 million cosmetic procedures registered in 2014 and more than 5.5 million reconstructive procedures. And while a great majority of procedures (91%) are performed on women, an ever increasing number of men are seeking surgical and non-surgical procedures to improve their own appearance. Leading the number of procedures performed on men is hair replacement followed in popularity by non-surgical fat removal, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Cosmetic procedures have grown 3% year-over-year (2013-2014), with minimally-invasive procedures growing at 4x the rate of surgical procedures. Liposuction grew at a 5% rate while chemical peels grew at 7%. Reconstructive procedures such as tumor removal were steady at 4.4 million procedures in both 2013 and 2014.
Plastic Surgery Procedures
Throughout this site, you will find in-depth information on each plastic surgery procedure and its benefits and risks. We endeavor to give you accurate, unbiased information that you can use to evaluate the training, ethics, experience and quality of the surgeon and his practice so that you can make the optimal choice for your health and peace of mind.
Plastic surgery
Cosmetic surgery
Reconstructive surgery