cosmetic surgery blog Archives - Page 5 of 7

What is the difference between outpatient and inpatient surgery?

There is one basic difference between outpatient and inpatient surgeries. Outpatient refers to any type of procedure that does not require an overnight stay in a medical facility while inpatient procedures require a patient to be hospitalized for at least one night in order to receive the necessary medical treatment for their surgery.

There are very few situations for which we would admit a cosmetic patient to the hospital. But one example would be for a weight loss patient who is undergoing multiple procedures on the same day such as a lower body lift combined with either breast surgery, arm lift or thigh lift. Multiple surgeries, such as these, performed on the same day can make for a very long surgery.

More commonly, reconstructive patients are admitted to the hospital as an inpatient. One example would be breast reconstruction. Dr. Tarola will further discuss all your options with you during your consultation.

Is plastic surgery painful?

One of the most common questions we get before someone undergoes a tn plastic surgery procedure is, “Is this going to hurt?” That is, of course, a completely natural thought for most people as none of us like to experience pain. Thankfully, the amount of discomfort experienced during and after surgery has been greatly reduced thanks to recent innovations in technology and cosmetic surgery techniques. However, just like with any other surgical procedure, some pain and/or discomfort is inevitable.

Making general statements as to the amount of pain you’re going to experience from a surgical procedure is difficult. Every person’s body is different and the amount of pain one person can take can vary significantly for another. Each person’s healing rate also varies; one person may heal in a week, another in a month.

We understand that any surgery can make someone a nervous wreck and are dedicated to maintaining your comfort level every step of the way. Our staff will discuss and address all of your concerns about your surgery during your consultation.

We take pain management very seriously at our surgical center. We do everything possible to help you understand the surgery and recovery process and what to expect both during and after your procedure. Several factors can influence your perception of pain and what you may experience such as:

The type of procedure being performed
Your previous experience(s) with pain
The use of anesthesia
Your gender (male patients tend to have a lower threshold for pain than females)

If you have any further questions or concerns about what to expect during a specific plastic surgery procedure, please contact us at Tarola Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation at 615- 624-8914.

Where is plastic surgery performed?

The ASPS mandates that its members perform surgery that is performed under general anesthesia be performed in an accredited facility. So, that is what I do. Some surgeons choose to not comply with those guidelines and do surgery under general anesthesia in their offices in a non-accredited operating room/facility. There are also non-plastic surgeons who perform plastic/cosmetic surgery in their own facilities that may or may not be accredited because no accredited facility will give them privileges to do those procedures given the fact that they were never formally trained to perform those procedures and are not board certified in plastic surgery.

Not only is our neighbor Middle Tennessee Medical Center accredited by the Joint Commission, but so is the surgery center downstairs from my office (Middle Tenn Ambulatory Surgery Center).

What is the difference between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery?

Cosmetic surgery is when nothing but the patient’s desire to improve their outward physical appearance necessitates their want for plastic surgery. Cosmetic plastic surgery is performed to change or enhance a healthy, normal, functioning part of the body.

Reconstructive surgery is when the surgery is performed to restore proper functionality to a body part or to achieve physical normality. Reconstructive surgery is intended to correct a physical abnormality caused by a birth defect, tumor or disease, infection, or physical trauma.

Does insurance cover plastic surgery procedures?

When a plastic surgery procedure is being performed for cosmetic reasons, insurance will not be involved. However, insurance may partially or fully cover a surgery when it is necessary for reconstructive purposes.

Some procedures which are often covered by insurance are:

Breast reconstructive – after a masectomy
Tummy tuck – for gastric bypass patients
Eyelid surgery – to correct vision problems

If you are considering a plastic surgery procedure, you should contact your insurance company to find out if your procedure will be covered first. If not, most surgeons will work out payment plans to allow you to get your procedure.

Call our office to set up a consultation at 615-624-8914. We’ll be happy to review all your options with you.