FAQs
Patient Frequently Asked Questions
Reconstructive Procedures
Cosmetic Procedures
Reconstructive Procedures
- What is Reconstructive Surgery?
- What is the difference between Cosmetic surgery and Reconstructive surgery?
- Who has Reconstructive Surgery?
- What are the risks of undergoing a Reconstructive procedure?
- How much will it cost?
- Will it be covered by medical insurance?
- How much time will I take to recover?
What is Reconstructive Surgery?
Reconstructive surgery is performed to reconstruct abnormal body structures. The cause of abnormal structures may be birth defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma or injury, infection, tumours, or disease. Though reconstructive surgery is usually done to improve function, it may also be done to approximate a normal appearance.
What is the difference between cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery?
Reconstructive surgery is surgery to improve function or minimize disfigurement that has occurred as a result of an accident, disease or birth defect. Aesthetic or cosmetic surgery is designed to improve a person's appearance by reshaping facial or bodily features.
| Cosmetic Surgery | Reconstructive Surgery |
|---|---|
| Performed to reshape normal structures | Performed to reconstruct abnormal body structures |
| Goal is to improve patient's appearance and self-esteem | Goal is to improve function and at times to approximate a normal appearance |
| Elective procedure | Essential procedure |
| Not usually covered by health insurance | Often covered by health insurance or ACC |
Who has Reconstructive Surgery?
Reconstructive surgery is helpful for those with abnormal structures of the body, caused by birth defects (eg. cleft-lip and palate deformities), hand deformities such as syndactyly (webbed fingers), or extra or absent fingers, developmental abnormalities (eg. large, sagging breasts due to genetic deformity or hormonal disease), trauma or injury, infection, tumours, or disease. It is generally performed to improve function, but may also be done to approximate a normal appearance. Burn wounds, lacerations, growths, and aging problems are considered acquired deformities. Sometimes a patient may need a procedure that is aesthetic in nature but is performed to restore function. For example a patient of paralysis may have an asymmetrical look and for correction needs a balancing facelift.
Reconstructive surgeries are usually covered by insurance. Remember to talk about it in detail with our staff and your insurance provider.
What are the risks of undergoing a Reconstructive procedure?
Being in the hands of a qualified, certified and well trained surgeon reduces the chances of anything going wrong to minimal. However, every surgery has risks- anaesthesia and surgery related problems, excessive bleeding, infection, healing to name a few. Chances of complication increase if you are a smoker; have connective-tissue disease, damaged skin from radiation therapy, impaired immune system, and poor nutrition. During consultations your surgeon will discuss with you all the risks and precautions. Ask all the questions you have in mind and don’t hesitate to come back again if you have more. While discussing your case, your surgeon will be guided by a set of rules known as the reconstructive ladder. The least-complex types of treatments-such as simple wound closure-form the lower part of the ladder. Any highly complex procedure-like micro-surgery to reattach severed limbs-would occupy one of the ladder's highest rungs. A plastic surgeon will almost always begin at the bottom of the reconstructive ladder in deciding how to approach a patient's treatment, favoring the most direct and least-complex way of achieving the desired result.
How much will it cost?
There is no set fee schedule. Surgical fees vary widely depending on the length and complexity of the procedure. Since reconstructive surgery may require a number of procedures done in stages it is best to frankly discuss costs and potential add-ons with your surgeon at the outset. Reconstructive surgery is usually covered by health insurance so do discuss it with your insurance carrier and clarify all doubts.
Will it be covered by medical insurance?
Reconstructive surgery is often covered by health insurance policies, or ACC. Check with your insurance carrier beforehand since coverage for specific procedures and levels of coverage may vary. Sometimes a patient may need a procedure that is aesthetic in nature, but is performed to restore function. For example eyelid surgery or blepharoplasty, is done usually for cosmetic reasons but it may be done for a patient whose eyelids are drooping and obstructing vision or a patient of paralysis may have an asymmetrical look and needs a balancing facelift for correction. Such cases require special consideration by insurance carrier. Check and cross check with your carrier to make sure that you are covered. You can work with your doctor to get pre-authorisation from the insurer for the procedure.
How much time will I take to recover?
Reconstructive and cosmetic surgery — like every other surgery — needs recovery time, healing and proper care. Recovery time varies with procedure. Your surgeon is best equipped to give you a fair idea.
Cosmetic Procedures
- What is Plastic Surgery?
- Will I need a referral from my GP?
- What should I expect during the first visit?
- How much will it cost?
- Will I have to be hospitalised?
- Will I need time off?
- What is BMI?
- What's the difference between being obese and being overweight?
What is plastic surgery?
Contrary to its name, plastic surgery does not involve the use of plastics during surgery. The word plastic is taken from a Greek word that simply means 'moulding' or 'giving form'.
Will I need a referral from my GP?
A referral from your GP is not neccessarily required. Members of ASPS and NZAPS are specialists and will need your medical history.
What should I expect during the first visit?
The best and only way to find out if plastic surgery is right for you, is to attend a consultation Dr Taylor will listen to your needs, and examine you and provide you with educated advice. Dr Taylor can tell you what you need to know about the procedure you are interested in, or recommend another to meet your needs and goals.
During your initial visit, Dr Taylor will explain the specific procedure you want, help you visualize the results and go over the risks. Although complications are rare, all surgeries, especially those that involve anaesthesia, carry some risks. Dr Taylor will outline these for you based on the specific procedure.
How much will it cost?
There is no set fee schedule. You know your budget. You should freely discuss costs and potential add ons with your surgeon at the outset and choose carefully.
Will I have to be hospitalised?
Cosmetic surgery can be performed in a private hospital or day procedure centre. Check with our staff for more information.
Will I need time off?
Cosmetic surgery like every other surgery needs recovery time, healing and proper care. Talk to your surgeon in detail and at length about all the issues. Recovery time varies with procedures. Find out more in the Recovery Guides.
What is BMI?
BMI stands for body-mass index. The BMI indicates your body fat percentage by measuring your height/weight ratio. It takes your weight in kilograms and divides it by the square of your height in meters.
What's the difference between being obese and being overweight?
Whether you are overweight or obese depends on your BMI or body fat percentage. Generally, a person between 25 - 30% body fat is considered overweight. Someone with a BMI greater than 30% is considered obese.