Medical College of Wisconsin Plastic Surgery Patient Care

All cosmetic consultations are associated with a consultation fee, which includes the initial consultation, traditional photographs, digital photographs, a computer-assisted imaging to demonstrate pre- and potential postoperative appearance, and a 30-45 minute patient education consultation with our Plastic Surgery nurse.

The cost of your operation obviously varies with the procedure to be done and your specific needs. Most cosmetic operations have costs that include three components (1) surgeon's fee, which may be between $2,000 and $5,000 (depending upon the operation), (2) cost of anesthesia, which again will vary, though if the procedure is done under local, without the need for a general anesthetic, there would be no anesthesia fee and (3) the use of the operating room. Most cosmetic surgery is done as an outpatient and would be same day surgery, not requiring hospitalization. Some operations, such as "tummy tuck" or facelift, do require an overnight admission, which would result in a higher hospital cost. When you come for your consultation all of these costs will be discussed in some detail and a written estimate will be sent to you. A patient must have authorization for elective cosmetic surgery. It is not covered by insurance.

Depending upon your operation, it might be as little as three or four days, as in the case of eyelid surgery, or it might be two weeks, as in the case of a face and neck lift. With most surgeries you are out of bed and moving around your home the day after surgery; then it is simply a matter of following the instructions of the physician. Once you leave the hospital, regular phone calls are made to you by our Plastic Surgery nurse to monitor your progress.

With most cosmetic operations you will be off work between one and two weeks, depending upon the particular procedure performed. In some cases, there is some swelling, which will still allow you to return to work. If there is any bruising, most can be covered with special makeup, which will be provided for you.

It is important to remember that cosmetic surgery is a real operation that carries certain risks. At your consultation the nurse, as well as your physician, will discuss each of these risks in detail. We also have interactive computer programs and videos of the different procedures that are used in patient education which identify the risks associated with each of the operations.

All of the surgeries are performed at Froedtert Hospital. Most of them are done as an outpatient, which means you enter the hospital in the morning and leave in the afternoon. If necessary, you can be hospitalized following the surgery, but in the large majority of the cases it is not necessary. Certain operations, such as a tummy tuck or facelift, will require an overnight admission, which would incur an additional expense. All of this will be discussed with you, in detail, at your consultation.

Most cosmetic surgeries have very little pain associated with them. Obviously pain thresholds vary from patient to patient. You will be provided with appropriate oral medication, which should satisfy any need you may have in this area.

Many cosmetic surgery procedures can be done under local anesthesia, which includes mild sedation associated with injection of the anesthetic in the area to receive surgery. This is similar to that given by a dentist in his office. Some surgeries, such as a tummy tuck, will require that you be put to sleep. If you are put to sleep with a general anesthetic, that would incur an additional cost. This will be discussed with you at the time of your consultation. If you want to be put to sleep totally, even though a local anesthetic would suffice, this can also be provided. Obviously each person, and his or her individual needs, will be considered and discussed individually at your consultation.

For your convenience, we accept several forms of payment, including the following:

• Cash/Personal Checks
• Visa
• MasterCard
• American Express
• Discover

We participate in many managed care programs. These insurance contracts are frequently reviewed and changed; therefore, we may ask for a copy of your ID card at each visit. Prior to your visit, please contact your health plan to verify our participation in your plan and to determine whether a referral is required. Many plans require members to pay an office co-payment for each office visit. Payment of the co-payment will be expected at the time of your visit.

A fee of $122 is required for a cosmetic surgery consultation with one of our plastic surgeons. If you proceed with a cosmetic procedure, your paid consultation fee is credited toward the surgeon’s fee.

Our Insurance Coordinator will contact your provider to determine if pre-certification/prior authorization is needed. For cosmetic procedures, full payment is required within 14 days of your surgery date. For resident cosmetic cases, full payment is required before surgery is scheduled.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at (414) 955-1000.