Plastic Surgery in Indianapolis, Indiana
People can become uncomfortable with how they look as they get older. Some are unable to achieve the shape that they desire with a proper diet and regular exercise and others could be disfigured because of a birth defect or injury. Plastic surgery can help people who struggle with these types of issues obtain a new outlook on life. Located in Carmel and Greenwood, Hamilton Facial Plastic Surgery, led by double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Mark M. Hamilton, MD, FACS, offers plastic surgery procedures for men and women who live in and around Indianapolis, Indiana.
What Is Plastic Surgery?
Plastic surgery encompasses a group of procedures that are designed to reshape certain parts of your body, increase your self-esteem or improve your appearance. These procedures require patients to have healthy psychological attitudes and realistic expectations for the results and limitations of the procedures.
Why Choose Plastic Surgery?
The decision to undergo plastic surgery isn’t one that should be made lightly. Your reasons for wanting plastic surgery are different from that of anyone else’s, which is why you should weigh the benefits and negatives before you make the decision. Some of the reasons for undergoing plastic surgery include:
- To firm and reshape trouble areas that do not respond to diet and exercise.
- To improve your appearance.
- To restore your appearance following an accident.
Types of Plastic Surgery
At Hamilton Facial Plastic Surgery, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Mark M. Hamilton, MD, FACS, offers the following types of plastic surgery:
- Blepharoplasty
- Brow Lift
- Cheek Augmentation
- Chin Implant
- Facial Liposuction
- Facelift
- Mini Facelift
- Laser Resurfacing
- Lip Augmentation
- Neck Lift
- Otoplasty
- Rhinoplasty
- Revision Rhinoplasty
What Is the Difference Between Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery?
The purpose of cosmetic surgery is to reshape the normal structures of your body to enhance your self-esteem and appearance. Since the procedures used are considered electives, health insurance companies do not usually cover the cost.
The purpose of reconstructive surgery is to correct abnormal structures of your body that are the result of congenital or developmental defects, diseases, infections, trauma or tumors. The procedures are generally meant to improve the function of the abnormal structures, but they could be performed to achieve a relatively normal appearance. Most health insurance providers pay for reconstructive surgery, but the levels of coverage and specific procedures allowed vary greatly between policies.
There are several gray areas in plastic surgery coverage that could require special consideration by the insurance provider. Depending on the patient’s situation, the gray areas could involve cosmetic or reconstructive surgical procedures. Eyelid surgery, for instance, is a procedure that many plastic surgeons perform to improve the appearance of the face. However, your insurance company may cover it if your eyelids are severely drooping and obscuring your vision.
How Should I Prepare for Plastic Surgery?
The following are steps that you can take to remain healthy before, during and after your procedure:
- Maintain good nutrition by eating well during the weeks before your surgery. High alcohol intake, crash dieting, and overeating can significantly impact your well-being and overall health. Maintaining a balanced, healthy diet is crucial. You can also ask Dr. Hamilton if you should begin taking supplements.
- Practice good fitness habits, but do not engage in aggressive or new exercises. This is a vital factor in your well-being and overall health as well. You should walk for one mile or more a day and you can improve your strength in the weeks after surgery by stretching and doing low-weight strength training.
- Strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle during the weeks before your surgery. If you have a virus, cold or other illness, your surgery may need to be rescheduled. Ensure that you address any illness right away and call Hamilton Facial Plastic Surgery if you experience any changes in your health or come down with a serious illness.
- Refrain from smoking because it can significantly impair the natural ability of your body to heal. You cannot smoke, use a nicotine patch or use any other related products in the four weeks before the procedure. During this time, also avoid being too close to or in a closed room with someone who is smoking or who smokes.
Will Health Insurance Cover My Surgery?
Health insurers do not typically cover cosmetic plastic surgery because such procedures are categorized as electives, which means that they are not medically necessary. Although the details of your insurance coverage may be substantially different than another patient’s coverage, most health insurance covers reconstructive surgery. Some providers fully cover certain procedures, but others might pay for just a portion.
Remember that there are numerous gray areas in the plastic surgery field that sometimes require insurance providers to consider covering the cost. This might be the case if you have drooping eyelids that are impairing your vision and require eyelid surgery. Your insurer will consider whether the procedure is for purely aesthetic reasons or to relieve your symptoms.
If your health insurance only covers part of your procedure or does not cover any of it, you have several payment options when you choose Hamilton Facial Plastic Surgery. You can pay by cash, check or major credit card.
Mark M. Hamilton, MD, FACS, is recognized as one of the “top physicians” in America for facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon, specializing solely in cosmetic facial procedures, Dr. Hamilton provides his Indianapolis patients with exceptional skills and results that last. For more information on plastic surgery or to schedule a private consultation at Dr. Hamilton’s Carmel or Greenwood office, please contact us.