Monthly Archives: November 2020

Does Insurance cover Labiaplasty?

As we age, gain weight, or have children, everyone’s body changes. Unfortunately, it usually isn’t in the ways we want it to! This toll on the body may manifest in many ways, such as sagging skin around the midsection, breasts that hang lower than they used to, or stubborn fat deposits that just won’t budge. Although it isn’t talked about as much, many women are also dissatisfied with the changes that take place in their genital region. In particular, many women are bothered by elongated or enlarged labia that cause uncomfortable irritation against clothing, while exercising, or during intercourse. Some women also feel embarrassed by these changes and find themselves avoiding tight clothing or intimacy, or simply feeling less confident and dissatisfied with their appearance. Whatever the reason, Dr. Traci Temmen understands that this is a sensitive topic for all women and is happy to offer a surgical solution for those seeking relief from painful irritation and renewed confidence in their body. One such option is labiaplasty, a surgical procedure that reduces the size of enlarged labia. This post will briefly discuss this procedure as well as answer one question many patients have regarding this procedure, which is if it will be covered by their insurance.

Labiaplasty is performed as an out-patient procedure at Temmen Plastic Surgery, a boutique surgical center in South Tampa that prioritizes patient privacy and comfort. This procedure typically takes about one hour to complete, but varies depending on each patient’s individual anatomy. During this procedure, the patient receives local anesthesia and may be offered anti-anxiety medication depending on how she feels, but remains awake and breathing on her own. During the procedure, Dr. Temmen carefully removes the excess tissue from the labia and closes the tissue with the incision oriented away from the vaginal opening to ensure optimal patient comfort. Patients are usually very happy that they are able to go home shortly after their surgery, and return to work the next day, resume light exercise in three weeks, and sexual activity in six weeks.

For women considering this procedure, one of the first questions on their mind is if it will be covered by their insurance. Unfortunately, the short answer to this is that in most cases, labiaplasty will not be covered by insurance. Typically, insurance will cover procedures that are deemed medically necessary, such as fixing a broken leg after a car accident. However, it will not cover procedures that it classifies as “cosmetic”, or for aesthetic purposes. Some plastic surgeries such as labiaplasty may have elements of both. For example, breast reduction is often performed to alleviate back and neck pain in addition to reducing the size of the breasts to improve their appearance. Careful documentation of the chronic pain in these cases may result in insurance companies being willing to cover a breast reduction. Unfortunately, although many women pursue labiaplasty not just for aesthetic reasons but also due to painful irritation that negatively impacts their quality of life, insurance companies will still typically not cover the procedure. Although it is unlikely that it will be covered, patients are still encouraged to request reimbursement from their insurance company. Fortunately, labiaplasties are not as expensive as many other plastic surgeries, starting at approximately $3,200 with local anesthesia. Many women also take advantage of the convenient payment options available that allow payment with check, credit card, or CareCredit, a special credit card that that offers low monthly payments for cosmetic surgery procedures. Overall, most women are very happy with their decision to undergo labiaplasty and find that the price tag is worth the significant improvements in their quality of life.

For women who are significantly impacted by labia that are enlarged and causing pain and embarrassment, there is no need to suffer in silence! Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen is highly trained and experienced in performing labiaplasty to help women live comfortable, pain-free, and confident lives. To view examples of surgical results, please navigate to the Gallery tab of this website. (Note that due to the sensitive nature of these images, more may be viewed during an in-person consultation than those displayed here.) If you are interested in learning more about if you may be a candidate for this life-changing procedure, please call 813-771-6393 to book your one-on-one consultation with Traci Temmen, MD today!

What Kind of Liposuction is Best?

For many people, no matter how many miles they run or calories they cut, some stubborn fat deposits always remain. In particular, many women struggle to eliminate problem areas like “love handles” and “bra bulge” despite their best efforts. Fortunately, there is a safe and effective option for getting rid of these unsightly fat deposits once and for all – liposuction! In recent history, liposuction has steadily gained popularity by giving plastic surgeons the power to melt away fat to sculpt a slimmer, smoother physique. As liposuction has continued to grow, many different varieties have arisen for patients and surgeons to choose from. This post will give a brief overview of liposuction as well as answer a common question posed to board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen, which is, “What kind of liposuction is best?”

Liposuction was first invented in the 1970s, and since then has become the most common cosmetic surgery in America. Dr. Traci Temmen frequently performs liposuction for her patients both on its own and in conjunction with other procedures such as tummy tuck or Brazilian butt lift. When performed alone, liposuction may be used to eliminate problem areas of fat as well as sculpt an attractive hourglass figure. When performed with other procedures, liposuction can work synergistically to further enhance results. For example, a tummy tuck is a procedure that surgically removes fat from the abdomen to flatten the stomach. When combined with the power of liposuction, this procedure not only flattens the abdomen but also creates a natural looking, curvy waistline that has been tailored to match the patient’s anatomy and aesthetic goals. In the case of a Brazilian butt lift, liposuction is performed on the stomach, back and sides to harvest fat that will then be injected into the buttocks. This accomplishes two goals at once by bringing in the waistline and eliminating love handles while also adding extra volume and fullness to the butt.

As you can see, there are numerous applications of liposuction. Likewise, there are many different types that are often advertised, including everything from tickle to high def to ultrasound or laser assisted. These varieties differ in what is injected into the body to facilitate fat removal, as well as the method of preparing the fat to be suctioned (i.e. with IV solution vs ultrasound waves vs laser beam.) Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen utilizes a technique called tumescent liposuction in her practice. In this method, a large volume of fluid is first injected into the areas where fat will be removed. This fluid consists of a salt solution that includes local anesthetic (lidocaine) and a drug that constricts blood vessels (epinephrine). The lidocaine helps to reduce pain, the epinephrine lessens bleeding and bruising, and the salt solution helps break up the fat and separate it from the underlying tissues for easier removal. Liposuction is then performed to gently suction out the solution along with the accompanying fat. Once the fat has been removed, Dr. Temmen takes care to equally redistribute the thin layer of fat that remains in order to ensure a smooth, natural-looking result. This methodology is the top choice of many plastic surgeons as it is a safe, reliable, and consistently produces a natural looking and attractive result. Dr. Temmen’s patients are consistently impressed with their slim and sculpted physiques after liposuction, and are amazed at the tiny size of their surgical scars which become nearly invisible with time.

Liposuction is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures in America for a reason – It can dramatically affect the appearance of the body while perserving patient safety and comfort and minimizing scars and down time. Dr. Temmen is highly skilled and experienced in performing this procedure, and consistently achieves stunning results with her meticulous surgical technique and commitment to perfection. To view real life examples of patient transformations, please navigate to the Gallery tab of this website and see the amazing results for yourself! To learn more about if you may be interested in this transformative procedure, call 813-771-6393 to book your one-on-one consultation with Traci Temmen, MD today.

Different Opinions from Different Plastic Surgeons

When considering plastic surgery to improve the function and/or appearance of an area of the body, there is “no one size fits all” option. In fact, precisely which surgical options may be the best fit for a particular patient is a complex equation that takes into account many variables including the patient’s age, body habitus, current appearance, desired appearance, lifestyle, and many more. Due to the high level of complexity, it is not uncommon for a patient to receive different opinions as to what is the best course of action from different plastic surgeons. This can be distressing for patients, as they may feel torn between multiple choices and unsure which one is the best one for them. In this post, I will discuss this common dilemma and offer some guidance for how to navigate this to find the right option for you.

The field of plastic surgery is unique in that one of its core characteristics is the ability to be precisely tailored to the individual. In fact, it is a common misconception that the word “plastic” in the context of plastic surgery means synthetic – It actually means to mold or shape. The best plastic surgeons have perfected the artistry of their craft, and are able to tailor their procedure to match the individual patient’s anatomy and goals. This space for customization gives patients more options when working with their surgeon to design a surgical plan that is personalized for them. However, the flip side of this this freedom is that patients may receive many differing opinions from different plastic surgeons. One common example of this is in breast enhancement, one of the most popular areas of plastic surgery. There are many different options for improving the appearance of the breasts, such as through a breast lift, breast augmentation, or combination of both. Within the option of a breast lift, there are more choices such as the surgical approach and where the scar will be placed. Within breast augmentation, there are even more options including the many different varieties of implants such as saline versus silicone, and the different sizes and shapes available. Thus, it’s easy to see how a patient interested in breast enhancement might receive multiple different recommendations from different plastic surgeons. This does not necessarily mean that any of them are wrong or bad, just that the patient has several options to explore.

So, in these situations how should you decide what to do? I wish I could say there was a way for you to just enter all of your information into a magic formula and find the perfect solution. Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer and the best approach boils down to two things: Doing your research and trusting your gut. For the research component of this, first and foremost it is essential to only consider recommendations from plastic surgeons who have been certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. This ensures that your surgeon has passed all of their tests and completed the necessary rigorous training to become a plastic surgeon. Next, go on their websites and view pictures of real patients in their Photo Gallery, paying special attention to patients whose “before” pictures looked similar to you and whose “after” pictures are similar to the results you are looking for. This will give you an idea of the quality of their work, as well as what procedures produced the results you desire for other patients. It is also a great idea to read real patient reviews to get an idea of if most patients are happy with their results, or if you see a recurring problem or red flag. (And of course, make sure to read more than the couple of glowing reviews that are featured on the front page of their website!)

At this point, you should have narrowed your pool to only include the opinions of board-certified plastic surgeons who are experienced, safe, and consistently produce excellent results, and you should also have some ideas about what options you think are best suited for you based off of your research. If at this point you still have a few different options you are considering, now it is time to trust your gut! Take time to carefully consider your choices, and don’t rush into making a decision you are not ready for. It is better to take your time going through the options than to quickly make a decision that you will later regret – after all, this is surgery! Furthermore, you should never feel rushed or pressured into a decision by a plastic surgeon. If this happens, take it as a sign that you may need to find someone else. A good surgeon understands that surgery of any kind is a big decision, and will support you in considering all of your options until you feel ready to make your choice. At the end of the day, you are the one who knows your body best!

Receiving different recommendations from different doctors can be frustrating, but it also creates opportunity for patients to get involved in their care and learn about the options available to them. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen encourages patients to do their research, look at Before and After photos of real patients in the Gallery of this website, and read patient reviews. She welcomes questions and concerns, and takes the time to address each one thoroughly during her one-on-one consultations with patients. Patients are consistently impressed with her gentle demeanor and meticulous surgical skill, and admire the way she makes them feel at ease from their first initial consultation. To see for yourself why so many patients choose board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Traci Temmen, book your individual consultation by calling 813-771-6393, today!