Dr. Remus Repta, Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon of Scottsdale, answers the questions that you, the public, have submitted. Dr. Repta and Arizona Foothills Magazine are excited to help bridge the void between the curious public and the expert for safe, informative, and real answers.
If you want your plastic surgery questions answered next, contact us at askthesurgeon@azfoothills.com.
Q.) What effect can plastic surgery have on my self-image after surgery?
A.) That’s a great question. Long ago during my training years I used to think that it was better if patients had a good self-image about the area they were thinking of getting plastic surgery prior to actually have the procedure. My thought process was that plastic surgery does not improve self image it just helps improve the physical aspect. However, over the last eight years in practice I have learned otherwise. I have met plenty of patients that were strong, confident, and had good overall self-image and self esteem but did not feel great about a certain area of their face, breasts, or body. Overall, they did not have a good self-image of that part of themselves. What I have found is that plastic surgery, when discussed properly and planned properly, can effectively treat areas that are a source of self discomfort or poor self image. This is perhaps the hardest part of plastic surgery to teach and to perfect. It’s a balance between the nuances of understanding a patient, of communicating what can and cannot be accomplished, and the process of getting the patient to communicate not just about a certain area that bothers them, but also how that area plays a role in their life.
Q.) Will my surgery be covered by insurance?
A.) Certain plastic surgery procedures may be covered by your insurance. Each insurance plan is different, so where one plan may cover a procedure another may in fact not. In general, insurance plans will cover certain reconstructive procedures such as:
-Breast Reduction
-Ventral Hernia
-Umbilical Hernia
-Panniculectomy
-Deviated Septum
-Scars
-Tumor Removal
-A few various others
It’s best to seek out a board certified plastic surgeon and have him/her take a look at you and then submit a letter to the insurance company to verify if it will be covered.
Q.) What’s the youngest age that anyone should ever get plastic surgery?
A.) Another great question. Different procedures will have different ideal ages that plastic surgery can or should be performed. For example:
-Ear Shaping, 6-7 years of age
-Cleft lip/Palate, 1-2 years of age
-Rhinoplasty, perhaps 16-18
-Breast Reduction, 15+ years of age
-Breast Augmentation, 18 years of age
Any time the patient is less than 18 years old, parental or guardian approval must be obtained. In general, plastic surgery should be performed at the ideal age and time for each patient depending on the individual circumstances. This is a process of fine tuning with the patient, the environment, and the parents.
All the best
For more information on Dr. Repta at AAA Plastic Surgery, click here.
For more information on Dr. Repta’s tummy tuck and body contouring procedures, click here.
To ‘Ask the Surgeon’ yourself, email askthesurgeon@azfoothills.com (all inquiries will remain confidential). The top questions will be featured in each month’s “Q&A Ask The Plastic Surgeon” featured blog.
