Number of procedures in 2011: 149,410
An abdominoplasty is a procedure that removes excess or sagging abdominal skin. Generally, a horizontal incision is made above the pubic area or above the belly button, depending where the loose skin resides. To tighten the abdominal wall, the surgeon brings loose underlying tissue and muscle together with sutures. Risks include bleeding, infection, tissue loss along the incision or fluid buildup under the skin.
Is plastic surgery covered by insurance?
One question we receive nearly 100% of the time when meeting with new clients is “will my insurance cover this procedure?” The short answer to that question is both yes AND no. Cosmetic procedures are a no, reconstructive procedures are a yes.
When the plastic surgery procedure is being performed for cosmetic reasons, insurance will not be involved. However, when the surgery is necessary for reconstructive purposes, insurance may partially or fully cover the procedure. Plastic surgery procedures that may be covered by insurance often include breast reconstructive (after a masectomy), tummy tuck surgery (for gastric bypass patients) and eyelid surgery (to correct vision problems).
Will you lose sensation in your breasts or nipples if you get implants?
It is possible to lose nipple sensation after breast augmentation. This loss is more commonly temporary, but there is a reported permanent sensory loss in up to 15% of women with breast implants. The nerve that provides nipple sensation runs along the chest wall as it approaches the side of the breast before it travels up into the breast to the nipple. In order to avoid injuring this nerve during the breast augmentation procedure, surgeons typically use blunt dissection techniques. However, it is still possible that the nerve can be severed and nipple sensation lost.
What are my options if I’m not satisfied with the outcome of my procedure?
This can vary tremendously depending on the circumstance. For example, it can depend on whether the surgery was covered by insurance or completely cosmetic with money out-of-pocket. It also depends on why the patient is dissatisfied. With cosmetic procedures, surgeons will often not charge for any revisions necessary to repair or correct a complication. However, the patient may incur additional facility or anesthesia fees. These issues are dealt with on a case by case basis but we usually try to accommodate our patients to the best of our ability.
16-Year Comparison of Surgical Procedures from 1997-2012
In the past 16 years, there was a 360% increase in the number of tummy tucks performed in the United States. From 1997 – 2012, there was more than a 540% increase in the number of breast lift procedures.
1997 in blue
2012 in red
- Breast Augmentation – 101,176 – 330,631
- Lipoplasty (liposuction) – 176,863 – 313,011
- Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) – 34,002 – 156,508
- Blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery) – 159,232 – 153,171
- Rhinoplasty – 137,053 – 143,801
Statistics courtesy of American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
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