Frequently Asked Questions
|
Fees and Insurance |
Recovering From Your Surgery |
We collect all fees for aesthetic plastic surgery prior to surgery. Costs depend on the complexity of the operation, where the surgery takes place and which anesthetic is administered. Please note that in addition to the cost of surgery (including the surgeon, facility and anesthesia fees), there will likely be additional fees for labs and medications required for surgery. All fees and payment arrangements and options will be discussed during the consultation appointment.
As a rule, aesthetic plastic surgery is considered elective and is not covered by most insurance plans. If you have any questions about insurance coverage, please ask during your consultation appointment.
We want you to provide you with a wealth of information, so that you can make a well-informed decision to have surgery. You can expect that your consultation will last anywhere from one to two hours in our office, which will typically include a consultation video on the procedure and a meeting with Dr. Mills and one of our patient coordinators. At this time, Dr. Mills will be gathering information on your needs and expectations and giving you his treatment recommendations. When you are ready to schedule surgery, we will review our surgery schedule to determine possible dates that will fit into your schedule. There are certain times of the year when the surgery schedule is very busy and will determine how quickly you can have your surgery. Upon scheduling surgery, we require a non-refundable 25% deposit to hold the date. At that time, we will schedule a preoperative appointment about 2 weeks prior to surgery to prepare you for surgery.
Surgical Facilities and Anesthesia
Surgery can be performed in a number of locations. Generally, aesthetic plastic surgery takes place in a hospital or an ambulatory surgery center. We perform the majority of our cases at Oceanview Ambulatory Surgery Center, Inc., which is a Medicare-certified ambulatory surgery center adjacent to our office suite. This facility meets strict health care guidelines and is equipped with the latest in surgical technology. Additionally, our surgical facility is located next to South Coast Medical Center .
For some aesthetic surgical procedures, you will be given general anesthesia so that you sleep through the entire operation. During surgery, you will be carefully monitored by a certified registered nurse anesthetist. In other cases, a local anesthetic will be administered to numb the area to be treated, along with a sedative to relax you. Postoperative discomfort is normally controlled with medication.
Although some of the procedures described appear to be relatively simple operations, it is essential for you to understand that aesthetic plastic surgery, like all surgery, has risks.
Plastic surgeons perform thousands of successful aesthetic procedures each week, but as with any type of surgery, a patient can have an adverse reaction to the anesthetic or be affected by postoperative complications such as blood clots, infection or poor healing. These problems can occur even when the surgeon has performed the operation with the utmost skill. Since smoking may interfere with proper healing and aspirin may increase the risk of excessive bleeding, you will be advised to avoid them before and after surgery. Occasionally, surgical revisions may be desirable to achieve optimal results.
It is important for you to remember that aesthetic plastic surgery molds and reshapes living tissue, and the results are not absolutely predictable. No surgeon can offer risk-free surgery or guarantee a perfect result.
During your consultation and preoperative appointments, we will inform you of any restrictions to your normal activities following surgery. In general, you should avoid strenuous exercise and other activities that raise your blood pressure (including bending) for several days to weeks after surgery. It also takes time for the visible signs of healing (e.g. bruising, swelling) to subside. Do not expect to see the final results of your surgery right away. Plan your social activities to allow sufficient time for recovery.
Since you are making an investment in your body or face, we encourage you to come see us for routine follow-up care. Some procedures will require routine follow-up visits to monitor your progress and healing. Please note that any follow-up visits related to an aesthetic procedure are included in your surgery fees. We encourage you to come see us on an annual basis. For our out-of-town patients, we encourage you to send us pictures of your progress via email or regular mail. We love to keep in touch with our patients.
The results achieved in some aesthetic surgical procedures, such as surgery of the nose, ears and chin, are permanent. In others, particularly those that diminish the effects of aging, results may be long-lasting, but are not permanent.
As with any surgery, the single most important factor in the success of aesthetic plastic surgery is the surgeon you select. Do not take this responsibility lightly. In most states, it is legal for any physician who holds a medical license, with or without surgical training, to advertise as a plastic or cosmetic surgeon. That is why it is essential for you to understand what makes a surgeon qualified and research the qualifications of any surgeon that you are considering. We recommend that you conduct your own research to verify training and experience and weigh your decision carefully. There are a number of places and ways to examine a surgeon's credentials and we encourage you to check these out before having surgery.
Check for certification with the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)
Certification with the ABPS means that the surgeon has obtained an undergraduate degree and completed medical school, a minimum three year approved surgery residency and an additional two to three year approved plastic surgery residency. After completing these educational requirements, the candidate has to practice two years in plastic surgery and pass rigorous written and oral examinations administered by experienced plastic surgeons. It is important to note that the ABPS is the only nationally recognized board by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to certify the plastic surgery specialty. Do not be confused by any other official-sounding boards and certifications. Additionally, there is no separate, ABMS-recognized certifying board for cosmetic surgery. If there is confusion about a surgeon's board certification, you may consult the ABMS Directory of Certified Medical Specialists, which is available in most libraries.
Check for membership in The American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS)
The ASAPS has the strictest requirements of any plastic surgery organization for protecting the public. All members of this professional society are fully trained in plastic surgery and are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. After medical school, applicants must also have completed at least three years of basic surgery training (usually general surgery), then two to three years of specialized plastic and reconstructive surgery training. Recommendation by the training Program Director is mandatory, as well as passing both the oral and written board examination. After board approval, there is a two-year waiting period before applications are accepted. The majority of procedures that are performed in the physician's practice must be aesthetic procedures. From any patient's perspective, membership in this society gives the assurance that the surgeon has the training, experience and background that will yield a superior aesthetic result.
Check for membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Like the ASAPS, the ASPS requires its members to be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. The ASPS represents the full scope of plastic and reconstructive surgery and provides ongoing training and support to its members. Both the ASAPS and ASPS host annual meetings to discuss the latest innovations and techniques in plastic surgery.
Check the surgeon's hospital affiliations
All qualified hospitals have been accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO). An appointment to a surgical staff of an accredited hospital indicates that the surgeon's capabilities and performance have been reviewed and judged acceptable by medical colleagues. Be sure that your surgeon has hospital privileges to perform the specific surgical procedure that you are interested in, even if you plan to have your surgery performed in an ambulatory surgical center.
Talk candidly with the surgeon
After you have checked a surgeon's credentials, use the consultation appointment to ask questions about the surgery and discuss your expectations. A qualified and reputable plastic surgeon will be happy to spend time with you, answer your questions and inform you of all the possible risks and side-effects associated with surgery.
