Free sergury for the military and their spouses

[mommytotwo]

On the news, they just said that here in the United States, that those in the military and their spouses are able to get free surgury-(nose jobs, breast implants, lyposuction, and face lifts), free. The ones who will pay for this are the tax payers, what do you think of this? Have you experienced this before or know of someone who did?

 

[LScot]

Gosh, I'm hoping that is not true.

 

[KathyTX]

Here's an article from the NewYorker that news report may have been based on:

http://www.newyorker.com/talk/content/?040726ta_talk_schaler

 

[Auggietina]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5487712/?GT1=4244

It is true

 

[onecoolmama]

Yup, although I thought there was another thread about this before.

My friend has a defined stomach, but after her second child, she has a lot of loose skin. So, she is having that skin removed.

 

[mommytotwo]

It was on our local news, and it's the first time I heard of it, so was wondering about it. I know that we have alot of members here on the DIS that have their spouses in the military or family and friends, so thought that maybe someone could tell us about their experiences.
The local hospital here also said that they did 4500 surguries for the military last year.

 

[PrincessaC]

As the spouse of a military member I have never heard of such a thing. We do get free medical care but it was my understanding that cosmetic surgery/procedures were not included. Although we do have to pay for dental.

This is my first time hearing this. My husband has been in the military for 11 years now. No one ever told us.

 

[mommytotwo]

I wonder if it is different for each state

 

[onecoolmama]

I dont think so. I think it is one free cosmetic proceedure. I dont know the exact rules..but I know that my friend had told us about this about 18 months ago.

 

[Chris2597]

There is an explanation for this....Most military hospitals are training facilities....and although you wont need a face lift or a nose job on the battle field....a soldier may need plastic surgery from battle wounds.....Tummy tucks and the like seem like a luxury....but in reality it is done only because it gives the surgeon opportunities for training in putting everything back in order...also military dependents may need breast reconstruction after breast cancer, nose jobs after an accident or injury...... Believe me...if there wasnt a good reason for it....in todays budget conscience military.....it wouldnt be done.

 

[mommytotwo]

Thank you for the explaination Chris2597.

Does this mean that a military spouse who just decides he or she needs something done can't get it?

 

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by Chris2597
There is an explanation for this....Most military hospitals are training facilities....and although you wont need a face lift or a nose job on the battle field....a soldier may need plastic surgery from battle wounds.....Tummy tucks and the like seem like a luxury....but in reality it is done only because it gives the surgeon opportunities for training in putting everything back in order...also military dependents may need breast reconstruction after breast cancer, nose jobs after an accident or injury...... Believe me...if there wasnt a good reason for it....in todays budget conscience military.....it wouldnt be done.

That's pretty much it. The surgeons in the military get paid whether they operate or not (they are salaried) so the surgeries they are doing in most cases are to keep their skills up to date. Depending on the base you are at you can get this kind of work done. Since the downsizing the military in the 90s though there are very few military hospitals where they actually do this kind of surgery. The Army has the most which is probably why the reporter did her article on them.

 

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by mommytotwo
Thank you for the explaination Chris2597.

Does this mean that a military spouse who just decides he or she needs something done can't get it?

A military spouse can not normally get cosmetic surgery done without a medical reason (such as reconstruction after breast removal).

 

[mommytotwo]

Thanks ToriLammy.

 

[Otto's Doll]

I read about this in our local paper this past week. DH has been in the military over 20 years, and neither of us knew a thing about this.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Don't flame me for this, but looking back on my experiences with military doctors -- they're the last ones I would want performing plastic surgery on me!!!

 

[mommytotwo]

Why so calypso*a*go-go? Did you read something negative about them?

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Nothing I read -- just my experience being treated by them as a child, and an adult. I'm sure things have probably improved over the years.

 

[miste76]

As much as I would like to have a few things done for free, I would never let a military doctor cut on me again. I had ankle surgery back in the summer of '99 and they made it worse. I had always heard the jokes about military medicine... but now I have my own story. Don't let a military doctor cut on you.

 

[powellrj]

Thanks for all the information. I knew there had to be more to the story then they were reporting on the news. After seeing how the military works, I knew they wouldn't just give free plastic surgery as a perk.