Template for a Letter Regarding Cosmetic Surgery Tax ("BoTax")

The Aesthetic Society and all of organized Plastic Surgery present a united front to fight the unfair Cosmetic Surgery Tax!

The Society leadership strongly disagrees with this discriminatory tax and is very concerned with the role of the surgeon as tax collector. Additionally, we see potentially devastating consequences to patient safety, as some may choose to have surgery abroad, seeing physicians who may not have comparable training certification or surgical site standards up to those of ABMS Board-certified Plastic Surgeons.

The following is the template for a letter that patients can use to express their opinion and dissent toward the proposed cosmetic surgery tax:

You can find your elected representative by clicking here: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Dear Senator ______,

HEALTHCARE PLAN IN THE SENATE WILL UNFAIRLY DISCRIMATE AGAINST US!

I am writing you today about an issue that affects everyone who utilizes plastic surgery services for anything from Botox to Tummy Tucks.

The healthcare bill approved by the US Senate this weekend, Page 2045 Sec. 9017, Excise Tax on Elective Cosmetic Medical Procedures included in the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

This dense legalese translates to a tax on all cosmetic procedures as partial payment for the healthcare overhaul our current administration is attempting to implement.

The problem is that we would be paying this tax, the FIRST time this country has levied a tax on patients for medical procedures. This Bill is objectionable in many ways, including:

· This is a discriminatory tax. According to the Aesthetic Society Annual Statistics, 91% of all cosmetic procedures are requested by women

· This will not have considerable consequences on the wealthiest patients but, as usual, affects the middle class. We working women, soccer moms, and scores of others who carefully save and budget to improve our appearance and self esteem will be penalized for doing so.

· Procedures such as breast reduction that have been cited in the literature for improving self esteem and quality of life would be taxed as well.

· Our doctor as tax collector: This provision places physicians in the role of tax collector and holds physicians liable should an individual fail or refuse to pay the tax. That is not the relationship we want with our medical provider!

Please, do not allow this portion of the tax bill to pass!

Sincerely,

______________________

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Research pays off when choosing a breast implant surgeon

When you are considering breast augmentation, be sure to research both the procedure and your surgeon extensively.

Learn as much as you can about the procedure using online sources (visit reputable websites such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) or the ASAPS website) that do not feature only one surgeon, and that provide data on national statistics and safety issues.

Visit a surgeon who is experienced with breast augmentation, and is Board-Certified by either the American Board of Medical Specialties or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (these are the only two Boards recognized by the American Societies for Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery).

Write your questions down for your surgeon, and ask to see before-and-after photographs of typical (not just the best) patient results. Ask to speak to patients who have had the procedure before.

Do your homework! Ensure you have found a good fit with the surgeon in terms of personality, office environment, and aesthetic goals for the procedure.

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BREAST REDUCTION - What to Expect?

A breast reduction is a wonderful procedure and is one of the MOST satisfying operations a Plastic Surgeon offers!



What is a breast reduction?

• Breast reduction is also called "bilateral reduction mammaplasty" (BRM)

• A breast reduction will relieve symptoms from excessive breast size and weight (hypermastia)

• Following breast reduction, breasts are more proportional to the rest of the body, and clothes fit better
  
  

• Breast reduction has tremendous psychological benefits!

What are the symptoms of hypermastia?

• Breast pain

• Back pain

• Shoulder pain

• Shoulder grooving from bra straps

• Rashes beneath breasts (intertrigo)

• Poor posture

• Inability to do sports or physical activities

• Self-consciousness about breast size

• Inability to fit into clothing

How is a breast reduction done?

• Breast reduction surgery takes around 3 hours and is done in the hospital under general anesthesia (GA). An overnight stay is usually recommended.
• During surgery, excess breast tissue, some skin and fat are removed. The nipple and areola are often reduced in size and are moved to a higher, more aesthetic position on the breast.
• A good blood supply, nerve supply and ductal supply is maintained to the nipple so that it retains as much sensation as possible and to encourage the ability to breast feed in the future.
• All stitches (sutures) are dissolving.
  
  

Who is a good candidate for a breast reduction?

• Women who have breasts that are very large in proportion to the body frame

• Heavy, pendulous breasts with nipples and areolas that point downward (breast “ptosis”)

• One breast much larger than the other
  
  

• Symptoms of hypermastia

• Dissatisfaction or self-consciousness about breast size

What is the recovery like after breast reduction?

• After surgery, avoid lifting more than around 5 pounds for 2-3 weeks. You can expect some swelling and bruising that will gradually resolve.
• You will likely have IMMEDIATE relief of your symptoms of hypermastia! Most women feel immediately lighter and often exclaim, "Why did I wait so long?!"
• You will have a temporary decrease in sensation that will take months to years to recover. You may not regain full sensation, depending on the amount of tissue removed and the original size ad shape of your breasts.
• The incisions will initially be bumpy and raised, and flatten within 6 weeks. After this, they form scars that take up to a year or more to "mature".
  
  

What are some of the potential risks of breast reduction surgery?

• Sensation change

• Scars
  
  

• Breast asymmetry
  
  

• Ability to breast feed

Things to remember about breast reduction:

1. Breast reduction will make your breasts smaller, lifted and firmer.
2. Reduction of breast size often enables greater enjoyment in playing sports and engaging in physical activity.
3. This procedure often makes a dramatic change in appearance. It can take some time to adjust to your new body image. Be patient and allow your body to heal for up to one year until you accept the results as 'final'.
   
   

For additional information, please visit:

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) website
• American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) website
• Women's Plastic Surgery website

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