WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR INITIAL CONSULTATION

This is your appointment to meet with the surgeon and establish rapport. You will complete a form regarding your prior medical history before the consultation. You may be asked to partially undress and put on a gown, so that the surgeon will be able to examine the area of concern, if covered by your clothing.

During the visit you will be given opportunity to discuss your present problem and goals. The surgeon will ask you about details and relevant information in your past history. He will perform an examination. Photographs may be taken for your medical record and also possibly submitted for insurance pre-authorization if required.

Once this important information has been gathered, the surgeon will explain the specifics of your condition and discuss the options available for treatment. He will also present the pros and cons of different options and the potential side effects and complications.

You will have opportunity to ask questions. We suggest you start a list of these as they come to mind; physical restrictions after surgery, recovery time, ability to care for yourself post-operatively, concerns regarding planned travel, events or vacations, etc.

If after the consultation you decide to move forward with your procedure, we will contact your insurance (if applicable) and start the process of obtaining your benefits. One of our surgery schedulers will contact you to coordinate a date.

If your procedure is of a cosmetic nature, you will be sent a quote regarding the fees. When you are ready to proceed, simply contact the surgery scheduler to coordinate a date.

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A COSMETIC PROCEDURE?

If you are considering cosmetic surgery, it is important that you carefully consider the answers to two questions. Why do I want surgery? What results do I expect from the surgery? Generally, the most satisfied patients are those that are content and well-adjusted, but are feeling self-conscious about a specific body part. If surgery would meet their expectations, and there is no hidden agenda to be addressed, this would be an ideal cosmetic candidate. You must express exactly to your surgeon what changes you expect to see. The patient must be a good listener to hear not only the benefits described by the surgeon, but the risks. If your “plate is full” with work commitments, family obligations or personal crisis, don’t overload yourself by attempting to squeeze in an elective procedure. No surgery is “simple” and it requires adequate recovery time, both emotionally and physically. Be prepared for the financial aspect of surgery, this should not add a burden to you or your family.

Patients who believe that cosmetic surgery will cause miraculous changes in relationships (personal or business) are not considered good candidates as these are unrealistic expectations. Those who obsess with a physical flaw, often one which no one else even notices, may tend to blame any other problems they have on that imperfection. Cosmetic surgery will not solve these problems or create a “perfect life”.

PLASTICS AND INSURANCE COVERAGE

A very important part of being an informed patient is understanding your insurance benefits. FIRST …Plastic surgery does not necessarily mean cosmetic surgery! Many carriers see “plastic surgery” and assume their insured is trying to have a cosmetic procedure performed at the insurance’s expense. Cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve appearance. Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body generally to improve function and restore a normal appearance. It is unethical and fraudulent for a practice to represent any cosmetic procedure as reconstructive. Most practices contact your insurance for approval before proceeding with a case that could ultimately be at your own expense. Your insurance coverage depends on the policy you have with them and your specific situation. Each company has their own guidelines concerning medical necessity and what they consider cosmetic in nature.

Patients are able to appeal the insurance’s decision to deny coverage for their proposed surgery, if they and the surgeon feel strongly that it is medically necessary. The process is explained in your policy or benefits booklet. If your surgery is approved, the surgeon’s office will usually be able to determine any portion you will be responsible to pay yourself. Taking the necessary steps before surgery eliminates most surprises. For questions regarding insurance and surgery call our office.

BROW LIFTS

Now more affordable and available than ever before, endoscopic procedures are an acceptable avenue for those seeking self-improvement. In some cases, insurance may help cover some of the expense of the endoscopic brow procedure if the brow and upper eyelids have “drooped” as far as to obstruct visual fields and surgical correction is necessary to correct the condition. This visual problem is often compounded by lax muscles of the brow and an increase in softened tissue and skin. In some cases the eyebrows are actually below the brow ridge. This extra weight pushes the eyelid skin downward, when there may not be an excess of actual eyelid tissue. In these cases a brow lift may be combined with the reconstructive eyelid surgery, or take the place of it. In any case, the visual fields must be affected to the point that surgical correction is the only answer for insurance to consider covering your claim.

Cosmetically, you can correct the frown lines that crease your forehead, creating a worried or angry expression by having a plastic surgeon perform a forehead or browlift . This same procedure can eliminate the sagging skin of the forehead and the heavy look of hooded upper eyelids. The grooves between the eyebrows and across the top of the nose are also reduced. The cranky or sad expression is replaced with a younger and more alert expression.

This surgery is often performed in conjunction with additional eyelid surgery or a facelift to enhance the new refreshed look. There are a variety of techniques the surgeon may use to achieve the improvements you are particularly seeking. This depends on factors such as the position of your eyebrows, hairline, muscle activity during certain facial expressions, scar forming tendencies and any previous brow or eyelid surgeries.

MEN AND COSMETIC SURGERY

The business world is competitive and being qualified sometimes isn’t enough. The candidate, supervisor or staff member must look qualified too. Promotion and respect in their careers are overwhelming reasons men desire to look more energetic.

Drooping eyelids, accentuated by a falling brow can create a tired and dragged out look. A weak chin does not project a powerful presence. A double chin or deep jowls create an impression of being older than you are. Love handles or a pot-belly can be interpreted as not being physically fit. The plastic surgeon will provide you with solutions to resolve these features that take away from an energetic and healthy appearance.

Men often neglect skin care, except for soap and water. There are medically researched products available to reduce fine lines, eliminate “age spots”, lighten dark areas under the eyes and improve the texture of the skin. These can be incorporated with surgical procedures to create a clear and smooth appearance. For brochures or more information contact us at Northern Colorado Plastic and Hand Surgery, 970-493-8800

STUDY FINDS MORE SKIN CANCER CASES DUE TO INDOOR TANNING BEDS THAN LUNG CANCER DUE TO SMOKING

JAMA Dermatology has released a study, “International Prevalence of Indoor Tanning — A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.”

Key study takeaways at-a-glance:

The number of skin cancer cases due to tanning is higher than the number of lung cancer cases due to smoking. In the US alone, 419,254 cases of skin cancer can be attributed to indoor tanning. Out of this number, 6,199 are melanoma cases.

The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Position:

The study results demonstrate that tanning bed use, particularly among young people, is an alarmingly widespread behavior. In the US, 35% of adults and 55% of college students have tanned, and the study found there are more than 419,000 new skin cancer cases attributable to indoor tanning each year. Worldwide, there are more skin cancer cases due to indoor tanning than there are lung cancer cases due to smoking.

These results are not surprising given what we know about indoor tanning behaviors and society’s flawed view that an artificially tanned look is beautiful. The Foundation continually works to change perceptions about tanning through its public education efforts, including its PSA campaign Go With Your Own Glow, which is designed to encourage women to embrace and protect their natural skin tones.

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that people of all ages, genders, and ethnic backgrounds avoid indoor tanning and take precautions in the sun by limiting outdoor time between 10 am and 4 pm, seeking the shade when outdoors, using a broad spectrum SPF 15+ sunscreen (SPF 30+ sunscreen for extended stays outdoors), and wearing protective clothing, including wide-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses.

This is the first summary of the international prevalence of indoor tanning exposure. 88 records (studies) were included in the meta-analysis, and the results include data from 406,696 participants. Analyses were performed separately for three geographic regions: the United States and Canada, Northern and Western Europe and Australia, as well as for these regions combined.

ARTICLE PROVIDED by http://www.skincancer.org for the complete article, visit http://www.skincancer.org/news/tanning/international