Jul 29, 2004 15:11
national average phsyician/surgeon fee: $3,188
+/. Age may also be a consideration. Many surgeons prefer not to operate on teenagers until after they've completed their growth spurt around 14 or 15 for girls, a bit later for boys. It's important to consider a teenager's social and emotional adjustment, too, and to make sure it's what they, and not their parents, really want.
+/. In about one case out of ten, a second procedure may be required for example, to correct a minor deformity. Such cases are unpredictable and happen even to patients of the most skilled surgeons. The corrective surgery is usually minor.
+/. Most insurance policies don't cover purely cosmetic surgery; however, if the procedure is performed for reconstructive purposes, the procedure may be covered. Check with your insurer, and obtain pre-authorization for your plastic surgery.
+/. Most patients are up and about within two days, and able to return to school or sedentary work a week or so following surgery. It will be several weeks, however, before you're entirely up to speed.