Cosmetic or Reconstructive Surgery - What is the difference?

Distinctions between Cosmetic surgical procedures and Reconstructive surgical procedures may appear clear, but occasionally these distinctions may be less obvious.

Cosmetic surgery is performed on normal tissue to improve the patient’s beauty. This optional enhancement is not considered medically necessary from a health perspective, but rather a way to alter a person’s appearance to boost their self-esteem.

Examples include body contouring with liposuction, breast augmentation, face lift, and minimally invasive injections of Botox® (one of the many muscle relaxants). Cosmetic procedures are usually not covered by insurance.

Reconstructive surgery is performed to repair wounds, remove a cancer or return function to an injured body part. Some examples include treatment of accidents victims, burn treatment, hand surgery and cleft lip/cleft pallet reconstruction. These procedures are usually covered by insurance policies.

Some procedures fall into a gray area. Breast reduction, for example - if the large size of a patient’s breasts prevents her from performing her activities of daily living, then reduction surgery would be considered reconstructive rather than cosmetic.

An upper eyelid blepharoplasty (excess eyelid skin removal) would typically be a cosmetic procedure. If the patient’s visual fields were compromised, then surgery is required to improve vision. The procedure, therefore, is medically necessary for functional purposes.

When the distinctions between Cosmetic and Reconstructive surgical procedures are less clear, the need to correct a functional impairment implies that the procedure is reconstructive. If the procedure elected by the patient is for the improvement of “looks”, this is indicative of a cosmetic procedure.

Matthew Greenwald.
The Ohio State University.

Physian Assistant Elective in Plastic Surgery

Contemporary Cosmetic Surgery, Beachwood, OH
Preceptor- Dr. Bryan J.Michelow

Dr. Michelow is an outstanding plastic surgeon with extensive medical training and knowledge, and his staff at Cotemporary. Cosmetic Surgery are extremely welcoming and accommodating. 

An elective rotation with Dr. Michelow has proven to be an invaluable experience, and I have been given the opportunity to participate in a variety of aspects of patient care including:
        -Performing H&Ps
        -Writing and recording physical exams and SOAP notes on their computer
          system
        -Gaining experience evaluating and treating various skin pathologies
        -Gaining experience evaluating and treating various hand injuries
        -Gaining extensive knowledge about various skin injections, including
          the use of neurotoxins and dermal fillers for cosmetic use
        -Participating in wound care, dressing changes, etc
        -Performing and assisting with skin excisions, I&Ds, punch biopsies
         and other small office procedures
        -First assisting in major cosmetic, reconstructive and hand surgeries

A rotation with Dr. Michelow has also given me various academic opportunities including:
        -Attending a clinical skills suturing lab to learn and practice various
         suture techniques
        -Accompanying Dr. Michelow to a variety of conferences and talks, including
         residency meetings at University Hospital, Tumor Board Review through
         Cleveland Clinic, and Risk Management dinners
        -Participating in clinically valuable research, allowing me to create a
          PowerPoint presentation about the safety and efficacy of neurotoxins and
         dermal fillers

Dr. Michelow is a wonderful and patient teacher. He is genuinely interested in providing students with the best possible clinical experience, and he makes the student a top priority in his practice. 

As a PA student at Contemporary Cosmetic Surgery, he gave me various opportunities to branch outside his office by assisting fellow plastic surgeons on interesting cases. He did not simply use me as an extra pair of hands in the office, but rather gave me the freedom to actively participate in patient care and stressed the importance of maximizing my clinical education. 

I highly recommend this elective rotation to any PA student interested in plastic surgery or wishing to gain more surgical training.  I will miss the entire office!

Sharon Santangelo, PA-S
Saint Francis University
Loretto, PA

Hand Therapy Workshop - 6.75 CEU's

10/5/2010

Euclid Hospital Administration,

Dr. Michelow presented to the staff, survey results from the Hand Therapy Workshop conducted at Euclid Hospital on 8/11/2010 .The results were very positive and suggest that the attendees were quite satisfied. The following is a brief summary of those results.

32 attendees, 28 returned surveys
Survey questions 12
Presenter variables 1,568
Total data points 6,832

96% felt the CEU’s offered were an important reason for attending the course.
96% said they would return if a course were offered here next year.
100% said they would recommend this course to a colleague.

Neuro rehab, shoulder rehab, tendon injuries, kinesiotaping were mentioned as topics attendees would be interested in learning more about.
Attendees were satisfied with the quality of the presentations.

We are currently discussing which topics would be most popular while still lending itself to the expertise of our staff, should we decide to offer another workshop. All involved in presenting this workshop agreed that while it was a difficult, time intensive endeavor it also proved to be a rewarding learning experience. We would also like to thank our administration for their support in presenting the Hand Therapy Workshop.

Thank you,

David Lea OTR/L, Coordinator Outpatient Therapies

Looking Good, to Benefit Others, is Looking A Whole Lot Better.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month !

Help Beat Breast Cancer

when you fill your fine lines and rid yourself of wrinkles.

You Save and We Donate

You save 10% and we will donate a matching 10%
to the
Diana Hyland Miracle Fund.
The Diana Hyland Miracle Fund furthers research
for advanced breast cancer - focusing on new theories,
trials and treatments aimed at managing the cancer and extending lives.

Support this worthy cause when you visit

Bryan J. Michelow, M.D

and experience the transformative results of
Injectible Neurotoxins - Dysport(R) or Botox(R)
and Dermal Fillers - Perlane(R), Juvederm(R), Evolence(R)
Additional rebates may be available from the manufacturer.
________________________

Call 216.595.6800

3733 Park East Drive, Suite 107
Beachwood, Ohio 44122

www.DrMichelow.com
________________________

In recognition of breast cancer awarness month !