Archive for the ‘Blepharoplasty’ Category

Dr. George Commons: A Video Presentation

Posted in Adbominoplasty, Ankle Liposuction, arm fat correction, Arm Liposuction, Awake Surgery, Axillary Hyperhydrosis, Backrolls, Bad Doctors, Belly Button Repair, Blepharoplasty, Body Procedures, Botox, Breast Implants, Breast Procedures, Breast Reduction, Calf Liposuction, Cheap cornes cutrting facilities, Commons in Print, Dermabrasion, Dorsal Back Hump, Ears, Face Procedures, Fat Transplantation, Hip Liposuction, Insurance, Insurance Coverage for Plastic Surgery, Juvederm, Knee Liposuction, Liposculpture, Liposuction, Local Twilight Anesthesia, Male Liposuction, Natrelle Implants for Breast, neck liposuction, Nose, Palo Alto Area Patient Profiles, Patient Safety, Pubic Liposuction, Septoplasty, stem cell transplantation = fat, Thigh Liposuction, Tummy Tuck, Umbilicus Reconstruction, Weight Control on March 13th, 2012

Eyelid Surgery Palo Alto

Rejuvenating the eyelids can make a person look years younger and more rested! At our Palo Alto area practice, eyelid surgery or a blepharoplasty consists of loose skin of the upper and lower eyelids being removed along with fatty tissue, leaving no visible scars.

Dr. Commons hides the incision in the natural crease of the upper eyelid or on the lash line of the lower eyelid. With approximately one to two weeks of downtime, this in-office procedure can provide natural and lasting results!

Posted in Blepharoplasty, Face Procedures, Plastic Surgery on December 13th, 2011

Refuting the Common Believes About Insurance and Plastic Surgery in Palo Alto

A common myth that keeps patients from moving forward with scheduling a consultation for cosmetic procedures is the belief that their insurance company will not cover the costs of an elective surgery.

This is often not true. A variety of procedures are frequently covered by insurance plans. Here is a partial list.

• Rhinoplasty can be covered in order to correct breathing problems or correct the results of a trauma, such as a broken nose.  Septoplasty which corrects deviated septums or airway obstruction.
• Breast reduction in cases where back problems and pain is a problem.
• Removal of capsulated breast implants.
• Congenitally prominent ears
• Tummy tucks that correct abdominal hernias, which occur in women after childbearing and some men. Abdominal hernias can make exercise difficult.
• Surgery related to a problem caused by skin cancer.
• Blepharoplasty in cases where heavy eyelids obstruct vision. Visual obstruction caused by brow ptsosis also can qualify a case for insurance coverage.
• Facial paralysis correction
• Male gynecomastia correction. We recently had a case in which insurance covered 100% of the procedure.
• Lower eyelid ectropion. This is a correction of eyelids that pull away from the eye, causing dryness and pain.
• Breast asymmetry or congenital asymmetry/absence of a breast.
• Breast reconstruction following a mastectomy.
• Familial Lipomatosis surgery.
• Corrective surgery for burns, injuries, or cancer.

Patients and doctors must fulfill all requirements set forth by the insurance company. These  requirements sometimes include prior authorization or a second opinion.  From time to time special tests such as x-rays to show septal deviation in a nose or a visual field test to show obstruction by eyelids or brows.

Photo documentation may also be requested. Reports from other doctors, such as a family doctor, may help when filing for insurance coverage. Records of prior treatment (e.g. back pain for a breast reduction procedure) helps justify insurance coverage.

If your lipomas are painful, this should be documented.   Any side effects of the condition you are correcting needs documentation if possible. We must meet the requirements of the insurance company.

It is essential to take the steps in order to get approval. Although it requires the investment of a little time, the efforts are arguably worthwhile as the results may yield exceptional coverage for much of your procedure.

Be sure to bring your insurance information when you come in for your consultation if you are interested in coverage. We will assist you in any way we can throughout the process of filing properly. Don’t let hang-ups and what you’ve heard hold you back from taking the first step to a better you.

Please contact Dr. George Commons at the Palo Alto California Plastic Surgery Center to schedule your consultation today!

Posted in Blepharoplasty, Breast Reduction, Insurance, Tummy Tuck on November 18th, 2011