Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Arizona

Frequently Asked Questions about Cosmetic Surgery

What is cosmetic surgery?

Cosmetic surgery may provide the opportunity for you to feel better about how you look. It is different from reconstructive surgery, which may be performed to correct a deformity caused by illness or trauma. Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery together are called plastic surgery. Examples of cosmetic surgical procedures are those done to correct prominent ears, a large nose, baggy eyelids, facial wrinkles or breasts that are small and/or sagging. The Mayo Clinic Cosmetic Surgery Center provides a multidisciplinary clinic with well-trained surgeons dedicated to providing you with the best cosmetic surgery available.

Who is a candidate for cosmetic surgery?

A good candidate for cosmetic surgery is one who understands the procedure, is realistic about expectations of the surgery and is motivated primarily to please oneself. A less likely candidate is one who does not really understand the procedure, has unrealistic expectations or is motivated to please someone else.

At the initial consultation, you should explain your concerns and what you would like to have done. Your situation will be evaluated and you will be advised as to what can be accomplished. You should have some understanding about what will be done so that you can appreciate the magnitude of the procedure.

You also should be aware of the risks and potential complications associated with the procedure. Since cosmetic surgery is elective in nature, you should be well-informed and certain that it is what you want. You should carefully weigh the "benefits" that you will receive from the surgery and the "cost" of the procedure which includes risks, inconvenience, discomfort and expense. Should you have doubts about proceeding with the surgery, you should seek and have a full explanation of the procedure and defer surgery until your doubts are resolved.

Where is the surgery performed?

Cosmetic surgical procedures are usually performed in our certified and licensed ambulatory surgery unit. All operating rooms and recovery rooms are staffed with registered nurses and other skilled personnel devoted to your care. A well-equipped and well-staffed recovery room is provided in conjunction with the operating rooms. Equipment for emergency care is also available as well as personnel trained to handle emergencies should they arise.

After surgery, depending upon the procedure, you may either return home or go to a postsurgical facility for observation. Your surgeon or one of his/her staff will discuss this with you prior to your surgery. Some procedures may require hospitalization, which typically involves a short stay at the Mayo Clinic Hospital.

Who does the surgery?

Your surgery will be performed by the Mayo Clinic cosmetic surgeon of your choice. You will have the opportunity to meet the surgeon at a special consultation to discuss your procedure and ask questions. There may be a surgical resident, medical student, registered nurse or physician assistant working with your surgeon as part of the team that will provide you with personalized medical care.

The surgeon in charge of your care has been carefully selected to be a member of the Mayo Clinic staff. He/she has completed four years of medical school, followed by many years of surgical training.

What are the risks?

Certain risks are inherent in any operation and although complications seldom occur, the risk of complications should be considered in your decision to have surgery.

Complications are undesirable occurrences associated with surgery that occasionally happen. You should be aware of these potential risks. The risks vary with each procedure and will be discussed in this booklet. Examples of potential complications are bleeding, infection, wound separation and loss of skin.

Bleeding can occur after any operation. Small amounts of blood will be absorbed by the body; larger amounts may require surgical removal. This may require a return trip to the operating room. Aspirin or drugs containing aspirin delay clotting and thus can promote bleeding. They should be avoided for 14 days prior to surgery. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen may also cause bleeding and should likewise be avoided. Tylenol does not cause bleeding problems and may be taken prior to surgery. Congenital bleeding tendencies are rare, but if you have such a problem, you should advise your surgeon. Hypertension is another condition which may cause a bleeding problem. During surgery, some blood will be deposited in the tissues and cause a discoloration (bruise). This discoloration will usually fade in about three weeks.

Infection can occur during any surgery. In most cases, this is a minor aggravation but may delay healing or result in wound separation and a wide scar. In some cases, it may contribute to a more serious problem of skin loss.

Skin loss is a condition that occurs when tissue does not have adequate circulation and it dies. This is usually due to a combination of circumstances which may include tension on the skin, infection, swelling and the effect of nicotine. Smoking should be avoided for two weeks prior to and one week following the procedure.

In addition to complications, there are certain side effects of these procedures which may be undesirable. The most common side effect is a scar. Anytime an incision is made in the skin, the body heals with the formation of scar tissue that acts as a bridge or a bond to hold the cut surfaces together. Although the manner in which scars heal depends somewhat on the surgical technique, a number of other factors affect the final result. These include such things as hereditary factors, the characteristics of an individual's skin, age, location on the body, amount of tension on the wound and whether an infection occurs.

After the original operation, it may be necessary for secondary surgery to correct minor imperfections to obtain the maximum result. The decision for any secondary surgery will be made jointly by you and your surgeon. If you have any questions about the results of your surgery, do not hesitate to discuss them with your surgeon.

What type of anesthesia will be used?

The choice of anesthesia will be discussed with you. The simplest type of anesthesia is accomplished by injecting an anesthetic solution into the operative area. This is commonly referred to as a "local." Another type of anesthesia is a "regional nerve block." This involves infiltrating an anesthetic around a nerve. Either of these two types of anesthesia may be combined with "intravenous sedation" for relaxation. A "general anesthetic" renders the patient unconscious and oblivious to all painful stimuli. Your surgeon will discuss the choice of anesthesia as it pertains to your particular procedure. If a general anesthetic will be used, an anesthesiologist from the Department of Anesthesiology will meet with you prior to the procedure. All patients undergoing general anesthesia are required to have a preoperative medical evaluation and some routine laboratory tests to assess their general medical condition.

If you are having surgery as an outpatient under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, you must make arrangements for a responsible adult (not a taxi) to take you home or to your hotel and for someone to be in attendance until the anesthetic has completely worn off. If you are going to stay at an extended care facility, transportation will be provided.

What are the costs of cosmetic surgery?

There is a charge for the initial consultation with the surgeon. This initial consultation is very important because it will help you determine if you are a candidate for cosmetic surgery and if it is something that you are interested in pursuing. More than one visit may be necessary before you feel comfortable with your decision. If you decide you would like to proceed with cosmetic surgery, procedural matters will be discussed with you by the doctor or one of his/her staff.

If surgery is elected, the consultation fee will be included in the surgeon's fee. A deposit is required in order to reserve a surgery date. A surgical quote is provided so that payment can be made prior to surgery. Payment in advance is required by Mayo Clinic for cosmetic surgery. Routine postoperative follow-up care by the surgeon is included in the surgical fee. If there are complications and additional medical care and tests are required, the patient will be responsible for the additional costs incurred.

Sometimes after cosmetic surgery, secondary or touch-up surgery is necessary. If this is done within one year of the original surgery, there will be no additional surgeon's fee. However, other fees such as anesthesia,operating room, medications or tests will be charged. Should the patient elect to have secondary surgery performed at another medical facility, the patient assumes all financial responsibility.

Mayo Clinic fees are based on the amount and type of services provided. Each patient is responsible for full payment for services rendered, regardless of the amount covered by any third parties. (For services covered by Medicare, Mayo Clinic adheres to current Medicare regulations.)

Mayo Clinic requires payment in advance for cosmetic surgery. This is a common practice throughout the country. Since this type of surgery is elective, you will have ample time to arrange your finances.

If complications of surgery require hospital care, consultation or tests, patients will be responsible for the additional costs incurred.

Is cosmetic surgery covered by medical insurance?

Cosmetic surgery is seldom covered by medical insurance. Some procedures in plastic surgery are "gray areas." That is, some insurance companies will pay the charges if they consider the procedure reconstructive and not cosmetic. Your surgeon will discuss this with you and advise you, but he or she cannot tell you what your insurance company will do. If you have any questions about coverage, you should ask your insurance company for a preoperative determination of coverage for the procedure you are contemplating. We will be happy to provide you with the information you need to send to your insurance company. Please allow adequate time for an answer, as it may take several weeks for the insurance company to respond.

Special financing can be obtained through an outside agency. If you are interested in financing, please ask our staff.