Does a Plastic Surgeon Work with Plastic?

A plastic surgeon performs plastic surgery but there is no plastic involved, despite the terminology. You need to rid yourself of the plastic idea right away if you are thinking about seeing a plastic surgeon to discuss having a procedure done on your face or body.

The term plastic in this instance comes from the Greek vocabulary. In Greek the word used is plastikos which can be defined as shaping or molding which is exactly what a specialist who works in the field of plastic surgery does. He molds and shapes skin and the structures of skin to improve and enhance the look of it.

When surgery of the plastic type first got its start those trained to perform it- plastic surgeons- treated patients who needed facial reconstruction or body reconstruction as a result of defects from birth, accidents, traumas, sicknesses, etc. As time passed and the work done in reconstructive procedures became more widespread and well respected people sat up and took closer notice. They began to see that this field could be expanded to improve the cosmetic appeal of the face and/or body. This caused many surgeons to broaden the scope of the services they provided. Facelifts became commonplace, as did breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tucks, and rhinoplasty (also known in layperson’s terms as a nose job).

Many individuals visit plastic doctors to have reconstructive work done. If you were born with a birthmark that covers half your face then this would be the specialist to go to for help. The same can be said if you were burned in a fire or suffered damage to your body or face in a motor vehicle accident. Reconstructive procedures can be used to either reduce or eliminate the disturbing effects that a tumor, a trauma injury or a congenital defect can leave you with. For many people who suffer physical problems such as this it affects their self-esteem and can affect their social and psychological development.

If you need plastic work done to fix a deformity or to get you looking like you once did then it is not considered cosmetic in nature and most insurance companies will pay for the operation. However there are instances where the company will not cover the entire cost of the operation or may turn down your claim for it all together. Before you book an appointment to talk with a plastic surgeon it is extremely important that you speak with your health insurance carrier to find out if the surgical procedure you want would be covered. Waiting until after you have had it done is too late- always find out ahead of time to protect yourself.

In many cases the insurance company will decide if they are willing to pay the claim for the procedure based upon your reason for having it. If you wish to have a nose job because you do not like how your nose looks then that is purely aesthetic in nature and you will have to use your own money to pay for it.

On the other hand if you have a breathing problem that has become chronic and carries with it the potential for other health conditions then it is a medical issue and your health insurance company is most likely to pay the entire bill (or at least a large percentage of it).