Concealing: This is the process to masquerade all the incision lines and the bruises which are left back as a result of plastic surgery.

For concealing, special dense and opaque foundation make up is used that is somewhat different from the normal foundation and is termed as concealers. These are effective in covering incision lines along with bruises and scars of all types either on the body or the face. It can also help balance the discoloration on the skin that may be the result of an eyelid surgery or a face lift.

It is suggested that patients should always choose a concealer that is waterproof and dense but at the same time creamy enough to be applied well on the skin. In case a patient manages to find a concealer that is similar to his or her particular skin tone then they might not be required to use any foundation over the concealer.

While applying concealer remember not to apply it on the thin, subtle skin around the eyes. There’s a chance that the thick creamy substance will settle in the creases. It is better to apply some normal flowing foundation or color corrector in this region.

Color Correcting: This is a process that helps in counterbalancing the skin color in parts of the skin that has turned red or yellow. Color correcting is done using a particular stuff called color correctors that help in masking the yellowish shade due to a bruise. It also heals the redness that results from dermabrasion or chemical peeling.  These are a little less dense than the concealers but feature equal stability and fineness. A color corrector is generally applied under a foundation.

Color correctors are obtainable in tints;

Ö    The lavender corrector balances all the yellow tones
Ö    The green corrector helps cover the redness of the skin

Contouring: This is an interesting method using which one can mask the swellings thereby creating a chimera of highlights and shadows. You can apply contouring anywhere on the face but then the most common use of contouring follows after application of face implants or a nose surgery. What contouring basically does is creates dimensions using shadow and light in a unique way forcing the darker areas to retreat and the lighter areas to emerge.  Contouring requires two basic products,

Ö    A highlighter: This has to be two shades lighter than your regular foundation
Ö    A contour shadow: This has to be two shades darker than the regular foundation

The very basic element of effective contouring is concerned about the art of blending. Your aim is to produce the illusion of angles without any of the makeup stripes showing. Contouring is a very delicate art and needs a lot of practice to be perfect. With a practiced hand you can very easily create a narrower nose or elevated cheekbones or even reduce a puffy chin.

How to remove Camouflage Cosmetics?

Camouflage Cosmetics are by nature dense and more adherent than the common day to day make up that you generally use. So it is necessary for you to remove the camouflage makeup each and every night without fail. You may use a cleansing cream to remove the makeup.  Next, apply some soft alcohol-free toner with a cotton ball to remove the remnants of the cleanser. Finally apply a little moisturizer depending on your typical skin type.

All those people who undergo sessions of Plastic Surgery remain keen to return to the main stream of a normal working life.  They want to start with the day to day social activities as soon as possible. But then when can they actually do that basically depends on two distinctive elements.

Ö    Firstly, how are you looking?
Ö    Secondly, how are you feeling?

As far as the medical issues are concerned the doctor will let you know once you are ready to recommence a normal life. But then how you accept and feel about your revamped look is a sole factor that you have to decide upon.

Some of the very common side effects of plastic surgery that are evident in almost all patients are,

Ö    Swelling
Ö    Bruising
Ö    Visible incision marks

It is quite common for these leftover marks to take days or weeks or even months before they completely heal. But this doesn’t mean that for all this period you have to be in exile and just sit locked up at home. There exist a lot of handy and effective makeup techniques as well as products that can help you camouflage the momentary side effects of plastic surgery. These are effective in both men and women and even the teens. This way it becomes a lot easier for patients of plastic surgery to face the world around more confidently and comfortably.

In this article here we intend to discuss about the various types of products accessible in the market. We will also tell you how you can make use of these in the best possible way. The tips that we suggest may take a little time for you to get used to but then each one of these will prove to be really helpful when dealing with the post surgery effects. These will also help you manage the permanent effects left back by a cosmetic surgery.

When do you begin?

Your surgeon is the best person to answer this question. He or she will be able to tell you the right time when you can start with camouflage make up and cosmetics. Often people are allowed to start using these just within a day or two from the surgery to cover the bruises and the swellings. But then if the case is that of incision lines then the patient will have to wait until the stitches are removed and the slit is closed entirely.  For nose surgeries, concealing make up can be applied once the cast is removed. In case there is a dermabrasion or chemical peel due to the cast it is good to wait until it is totally gone.

What do you use?

As far as cosmetic camouflaging is concerned the best thing to do is use the makeup products that are suggested by your plastic surgeon. Or else the commercial camouflaging make up products available in departmental stores can also be used. And not to forget you can always use the make up products that you previously have been using.

But then make it a point to use fresh and new cosmetics which will have new applicators and choose stuff that are hypoallergenic and do not have fragrance.

Ö    The first and foremost procedure in this list is that of Botox. A full scale Botox treatment costs a total of $1,125,220,232. The Surgeon’s fee for this procedure is comparatively reasonable, it is $376.

Ö    Next is the Cellulite Treatment which costs a total of $5,637,979 along with the physician’s fee of $127.

Ö    A Chemical Peel treatment will need you to pay a total of $661,947,461. The Surgeon’s fee this time is $607.

Ö    If you want to undergo a total laser hair removal, it will cost you a total of $245,659,160. The additional surgeon’s fee incurred would be $428.

Ö    For a Laser Skin resurfacing treatment the Surgeon charges $2,117 whereas the total costs are $348,186,480.

Ö    Treating leg veins with laser costs $35,754,663 and the doctor will be taking an additional $346.

Ö    The Microdermabrasion treatment costs $148,486,223 with a doctor’s charge of $173.

Ö    Sclerotherapy is another minimally invasive cosmetic procedure for which a Surgeon charges an average fee of    $322 while the total costs are $175,457,156.

Costs of Soft Tissue Fillers Treatments

Ö    For a Calcium hydroxylapatite (RadiesseTM which was earlier known as RadianceTM) the doctor takes $901 and the total procedure costs $51,024,531.

Ö    For Collagen the doctor will be taking $368 whereas the entire process will cost $192,089,153.

Ö    Fat treatments cost $69,118,202 in addition to the further charge of $1,226 that the doctor takes.

Ö    Hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Hylaform, Hylaform Plus) will cost you a total of $248,692,983. Furthermore you will have to pay the doctor an additional $539.

As far as market study and research goes, in the year 2004 a total of $8,403,557,322 was spent alone on Cosmetic treatments and Plastic surgeries by the Nation.

The fees that are mentioned in the above list may vary according to particular regions of the country and the specific requirements of the patients as well.

Here is a brief account of the entire costs and the individual Surgeon fees that a Cosmetic Procedure may incur in general. The data produced in this statistical account is integrated on the basis of the extensive research carried out on a national basis.

Ö    The Breast Augmentation (Augmentation mammaplasty) procedure incurs a total expenditure of $890,610,293 along with an Average Surgeon fee of $3,373.

Ö    The Breast implant removals (for the augmentation patients) procedure incurs a total expenditure of $77,844,888 and an Average Surgeon fee of $2,211.

Ö    The Breast lift (Mastopexy) procedure incurs a total expenditure of $281,842,990 and an Average Surgeon fee of $3,718.

Ö    Breast reduction in men (Gynecomastia) involves a total expenditure of $39,263,956 with a standard physician fee of $2,812.

Ö    For Buttock lift you will need to pay an average fee of $3,630 to the surgeon and spend a total amount of $12,690,480 for the treatment.

Ö    For a Cheek implant (Malar augmentation) you will have to pay the surgeon $1,854 and thereon spend an additional $17,275,572 for the entire treatment.

Ö    The Chin augmentation (Mentoplasty) procedure incurs a total expenditure of $23,917,647. The Surgeon that you consult will be taking an independent fee of $1,512 as well.

Ö    Dermabrasion will cost you a total of $46,792,304 and the Surgeon or Physician will take an $866 extra.

Ö    Ear surgery (Otoplasty) costs $60,623,327. The average surgeon fee involved in this particular treatment is $2,339.

Ö    Eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty) is another costly treatment that requires you to pay a total of $588,701,682 while the surgeon will take a further $2,523.

Ö    For Facelift (Rhytidectomy) the total cost will be $551,020,059 and the Surgeon’s Average fee is $4,822.

Ö    For the Forehead lift Surgeon will charge you a fee of $2,400 while the entire treatment will cost $131,968,403.
Ö    For a Lip augmentation (other than materials that can be injected) you will need to pay an average fee of $1,199 to the surgeon. The total investment required for the treatment is $32,049,270.

Ö    For Liposuction the surgeon or the physician will be charging $2,223 whereas the total procedure will cost $722,232,693.

Ö    A Lower body lift costs $57,349,550 with the surgeon taking a further $6,425 for his efforts.

Ö    Nose reshaping (Rhinoplasty) is by far one of the most costly treatments costing a total of $1,017,728,749 with a further $3,332 for the surgeon.

Ö    Thigh lift will cost you $31,330,411. But then the extra charge for the doctor is applicable here as well which is $3,857.

Ö    For Tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty) treatment the total incurred costs is $482,120,595 with an extra doctor’s fee of $4,505.

Ö    For an Upper Arm Lift the total medical costs are $30,920,230. The further doctor’s fee is $3,106.

Appeals for recovering your money:

·    You need to write an application letter to the insurance company if it denies covering the expenses for your recovery surgery or agrees to pay a very small amount for it. You ask your appeal to be reviewed by a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

·    The patient must seek complete explanation from the claims officer as to why his surgery is not being covered by the respective insurance company. The patient is required to pin together the denial notice and a copy of your surgeon’s previously-authorized letter to again offer the report of your surgeon’s fee, the valid billing codes and an ASPS Position Paper related to your course of action. Position papers are obtainable from your plastic surgeon.

·    Many patients find it useful to mail a duplicate of their application letter to the commissioner of the insurance company or to the corporations department if you are enclosed under a managed care plan like that of a health maintenance organization (HMO). This must comprise a brief cover letter elucidating the trouble you are facing and asking for support.

·    Do let the commissioner know, if the insurance company provides a positive response.

·    Do not adopt unethical means for recovering money. Any attempts of misinterpretation are extremely unethical.

·    Some of the surgeons accepts credit cards and provides the patients with financial programs; this helps the patients to go for monthly payments

The coordinated benefits plan enables the patient to enjoy full benefits. The patient in this case gets 100% medical coverage.

“CPT” codes or the Current Procedural Terminology formulated by the American Medical Association, are used by the surgeons for preparing the bills for the services performed.

“ICD” codes or the International Classification of Disease must link correctly with CPT codes for an insurance agent to think about payment. This code indicates the analysis of sickness, infection or shock – for which the care has been provided.

Tenderness and uneasiness are very common post operative symptoms. These are no doubt very disturbing and upsetting but at the same time you must think of the positive sides of the operation. It is the operation that has relieved you from the prolonged sickness that was bothering you all these days.

Though the doctors prescribe pain killers to deal with the post operative pains, it is better to avoid the pain killers as much as possible. These pain killers are not only responsible for constipation but may also cause abdominal pains. Mild stool softeners like Colace® or dietary supplements like consuming a high fiber diet or daikon (a root vegetable also called Japanese radish) are prescribed by the surgeons once the medications are over. Drinking of water is very important; it helps you to stay hydrated and maintains the normal PH balance of the body.

Feelings of depression

The patients are always advised to think positive after operations especially when adrenaline rush has stopped. You will feel good, when you remember that all your bandages and sutures will be removed. You will soon get back your good looks once the bandages are taken off. Feelings of depression during the heeling procedure are very natural and it fades away as you start recovering.

How do deal with your emotional changes?

You must set logical expectations for yourself. Even if you feel blue, your rational expectations will help you to cope with the situation better. You must understand that it is a normal phase that you are going through and it will subside with in a week or two. If you continue to feel depressed even after two weeks, you can have a talk with your doctor and sort out your problem easily.

Feelings of irritation, pain swellings, restlessness and anxieties, sleeplessness are very common.

Your face may look tired and dry, but this will persist for only few days till you are fully cured. The face may not be symmetrical, broken, swollen, or painful during the phase of recovery. You need not worry about the flaws in your skin when ever you face the mirror as these are only temporary flaws and will wither away with time.

Frustrations, anger and feelings of insecurity are very common, but with the support of your friends and family members you can easily overcome these emotions.

The patient must also contact the health insurance company and the human resource department to get full information about the benefits provided by the insurance policy.

What is a plastic surgery?

The word plastic has been derived from the Greek word “plastikos” which refers to the process of giving shape or form to a particular object. There are two ways in which a plastic surgery can be conducted:

Reconstructive surgery: this surgery is mainly performed to correct the deficiencies in the body caused due to some accidents, birth defects, shock, disease or infections.

Cosmetic surgeries are performed to reshape the abnormal body structures, and there by improve his over all appearance and self confidence.

Securities provided by the insurance companies:

Insurance policy involves a contract between the patient and the health insurance company. The contract of the policy specifies the amount that is to be covered by the company. Any amount that is not covered by the company requires the patient to pay them.

The reconstructive surgeries are mainly covered by the insurance companies, though the levels support provided by the policies varies from company to company. The cosmetic surgeries are not covered by the insurance companies generally. For it is not considered as an essential medical requirement.

However the patients must be aware of the fact that the plastic surgeries also involve many gray areas. For example, if a person is suffering from drooping eyelids which are impairing the patient’s vision, or needs to do a nose job for breathing troubles, these are generally covered by the insurance companies. In these cases the insurance companies require prior approval of extra certification before the surgery is performed.

Three types of cost sharing options:

After the insurance company has paid for the expenses, the money left to be paid falls under the responsibility of the patient. Instances of deductibles are $100, $250 or $500. In most of the cases, about 85% of the expenses are covered by the insurance companies

Another cost sharing method may be the flat-rate co payment procedure. In this scheme, the patient pays about $15 of an office visit charge or $3 for a prescription, and the insurance company pays the rest of the balance.

In the Percentage-based co payment method, the insurance company covers the expenses on the basis of the policy of the patient. For instance $10 of charge of $50, $12 charge of $60 and so on. There may be variations in this scheme.

The patient must have a clear knowledge about these various schemes and must consult the agent in case of any confusion.

·    A recliner can help you to relax better. You can keep your upper body uplifted with the help of a recliner

·    Incase you feel like vomiting, you must always keep a container or bucket by your bed side

·    Keep a water bottle, torch handy by the side of the bed

·    If you need to get up at night, make sure that the lights are on

·    In many cases the patients feel cold after operations, so it is very important that you keep the blankets near your reach and use them when ever you feel like

·    Keep heating pads near you. These are very useful if you are suffering from pain or swelling after operation

·    Wear comfortable clothes that can be taken out easily. Wear clothes with preferably button in the front, you can also wear loose fitting pajamas which are very comfortable

·    Keep a bottle of moisturizer close to your reach, incase you feel chapped and dry

·    Keep tissue papers if you need to wipe running nose

·    Cut your nails and remove all traces of nail polish from your toes

·    Shampoo your hair before the surgery

·    Keep your phone near your bed side so that you don’t have to move out of your bed every time it rings

·    Last thing, which is very important, is that you should rest well, relax and free yourself from all sorts of anxieties. Talk to your doctor or your spouse if you get any disturbing thoughts

Shopping before your operation:

Pharmaceutical medicines:

___ Pain killers’ __________________________________

___ Antibiotic medicines __________________________________

___ Medicines for preventing inflammations ____________________________

___ Medicines for regulating normal blood pressure levels if necessary

___ Pills

___maintaining a time chart for taking the medicines

___ Dressing tools, gauze, ointment with antibiotic properties

___if you are taking birth control pills, you should abstain from taking them before and after an operation

___ Antibacterial soap

___ Hot water bottles or heating pads for soothing back aches

Oral consumption of vitamin C if specified by the doctor

___ Thermometer for measuring temperature

___stool softeners of the mild variant (like Colace)

___ Tissues boxes

___ Oral arnica consumption of arnica

___ Stretchable bandage if specified by the doctor

___ OTC muscle relaxants if suggested by your physician

___ Moisturizer for your hand

Shopping from the grocery Store:

___ frozen berries or peas (if necessary)

___ Crackers, Wafers, can be stocked incase you feel hungry

___ packed mineral water, electrolyte or energy drinks to prevent dehydration

___ Dinners that are frozen

___ Jellies and pudding

___ Seasonal Fruits

___ Cookies

Other items that should be kept handy:

___ Comfortable soft pillows

___ whistle, walkie-talkie or an intercom system

___ film/disposable or digital camera

___ books, journal, magazines, video games, music systems, cd

___ Ink pens

___ Bucket or container with a cover for vomiting

___ Remote, phones with fresh batteries

___ Comfortable clothes

___ Slippers

___ Hand mirror

___ Flashlight or nightlight incase you need to get up at night

Care tips for the patient:

Bruises, inflammations, or tenderness are very common post operation symptoms. You can talk to your doctor if you are worried about any thing. The doctor will prescribe you the proper medicines and necessary supplements. Doctors may advice you to take plenty of fruits, veggies to recover faster. If you feel that you are slipping into post operative depressions, do not hesitate to consult the doctor.

Tips for preparing for your operation:

·    There are some medicines which should be avoided prior to the operation. The doctors advice their patients to abstain from certain medicines before and after the surgery

·    Aspirin should not be consumed before and after the surgery. Aspirin slow down the process of blood clotting and raise complications during the time of operation. For reducing fever and pain Tylenol is a better substitute

·    The doctors may advice their patients to under go a test for complete blood count, this test helps to count your red and white blood cells

·    Homeopathic and herbal medicines can be taken under doctor’s prescription. Arnica Montana, Bromelain or vitamin A, K can be consumed. These supplements have excellent properties that help to cure inflammations and injuries

·    Doctors may advice their patients to under go a complete blood count test for testing the red and white blood cells

·    It is very important that you refrain from smoking, chewing tobacco and drinking. The non smokers have better healing abilities than the smokers

·    The doctors may advice their patients to use anti bacterial soap for reasons of hygiene

·    The area which has been operated need to be dressed up regularly

·    The doctors may advice the patients to apply ice compression on any swelled area

·    You must also use disposable gloves while dressing up the affected area

Tips for keeping your home clean:

·    Keep your house scrupulously clean

·    Cook food every day or get them cooked. Do not eat stale or left over foods

·    Keep your trash bins clean

·    Chalk out your whole days activities so that you are not overburdened with your work

·    Store all your medicines and dressing ingredients before hand

·    Keep your medicines in proper accessible areas and keep the pills and syrups in separate racks

·    Ideal mind is a devils work shop. Never sit ideal, keep yourself pre occupied with books and latest magazines. Enjoy video games

·    Keep your bed and pillows cozy so that you don’t feel uncomfortable in the lying in the bed