FAQs

“Plastic” was derived from the Greek word “plastikos,” meaning to mold or give form to. The specialty of plastic surgery encompasses two general categories:

• Reconstructive surgery is performed on abnormal structures of the body caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, trauma, infection, tumors or disease. It is generally performed to improve function, but also may be done to approximate a normal appearance. Reconstructive surgery is generally covered by most health insurance policies, although coverage for specific procedures and levels of coverage may vary greatly.
• Cosmetic surgery is performed to reshape normal structures of the body in order to improve the patient’s appearance and self-esteem. Cosmetic surgery is usually not covered by health insurance and is considered elective.
• There are a number of “gray areas” in coverage for plastic surgery that sometimes require special consideration by an insurance carrier. These areas usually involve surgical operations that may be reconstructive or cosmetic, depending on each patient’s situation.

All patients will be assured complete confidence regarding any surgical or office procedure (reconstructive or cosmetic). At no time will information be released to anyone other than the patient without proper consent from the patient. Patient confidentiality is of utmost importance at Green Bay Plastic Surgical Associates.

To be certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) every member must meet the following criteria:

• Graduation from an accredited medical school
• Five years of residency (usually three years of general surgery followed by two years of plastic surgery residency)
• Two years of post-residency practice
• Pass comprehensive oral and written exams
• Required to maintain skills with continuing education
• Held to high ethical standards

ASPS is the only plastic surgery board recognized by the American Medical Association and by the American Board of Medical Specialties. ASPS members are highly qualified to perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures. Other physicians may have board-certification, but it does not mean they are certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgery.

We encourage prospective patients to consult with a number of board-certified plastic surgeons. Contact your state’s medical board, the American Board of Plastic Surgery (215-587 9322), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (888-4-PLASTIC), or the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (888-272-7711) to ensure membership and proper specialty training in plastic surgery. Be absolutely sure your surgeon has privileges at a nearby hospital to perform the procedures you are interested in. Finally, make sure you have a strong comfort level with your physician.

Surgical dates and times are determined after the patient has been seen for the initial consultation. At the time of the consultation the surgeon will discuss with each patient individually what their procedure will entail, and then a time and date will be set up through the office surgery coordinator. The surgeons have specific surgical days throughout the week and they will make every effort to accommodate the patient’s needs.

When obtaining estimates it is important to compare the quality of care associated with the procedure. Your surgical fee quote will include the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, facility fee, supplies and postoperative care needed for your safety and comfort. During your consultation, Dr. Schmitt or Dr. Lee will help you determine which options are best for you.

Our board-certified plastic surgeons perform procedures at YOUR CHOICE of facility. We are on staff at:

• Green Bay Surgical Center, LTD – 704 S. Webster Ave., Green Bay, WI 54301
• Bellin Hospital – 744 S. Webster Ave., Green Bay, WI 54301
• St. Vincent Hospital – 835 South Van Buren Street, Green Bay, WI 54301
• St. Mary’s Hospital – 1726 Shawano Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304
• Aurora BayCare Medical Center – 2845 Greenbrier Road, Green Bay, WI 54308-8900

We accept payment by cash, bank or cashier’s check, debit card, VISA, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.

Yes, we accept VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

A cash discount is available on select cosmetic surgeries. Please discuss with our surgical coordinator.

We accept most insurance plans, including participating in the following. If you have a question, please contact your plan prior to your appointment to verify our participation in your network.

• Bellin/ThedaCare Physicians Partners
• Blue Cross/Blue Shield
• Health EOS
• Humana
• Medicare
• Medicare/HMO
• Multiplan/WPPN
• Network Health Plan
• Prevea (Arise) HMO and PPO
• United HealthCare
• Wisconsin Medical Assistance

This depends on the procedure and is determined on a case-by-case basis. Certain reconstructive surgery procedures have been performed on patients of all ages while certain procedures are recommended for more mature patients. Consult with your plastic surgeon to determine if you are a qualified candidate for the procedure you are considering.

Multiple procedures are done at the surgeon’s discretion. Having multiple procedures performed at the same time is less expensive than having them performed individually. The benefit of having multiple procedures done at one time is that you take advantage of the operating room, having already paid for anesthesia and hospital fees. Having procedures performed separately means you will need to pay for these expenses again. There is also increased risk of complications. For example, by having multiple procedures performed the patient risks having a prolonged exposure to general anesthesia. But, doing procedures together will mean only one recovery period. Consult with your surgeon if you are considering having multiple procedures.

During the procedure anesthesia ensures that you are comfortable and feel no pain. If general anesthesia is used, you will be asleep throughout the entire operation. After surgery, any pain or discomfort you may experience can usually be controlled through medication and will usually subside within a matter of days.

The time a patient resumes regular exercises varies based on the operation performed. All patients are encouraged to start a slow walking routine on the second postoperative day. Regular aerobic and more vigorous activities are not allowed during the first two weeks in order to decrease the risks of bleeding, swelling and bruising. Weight lifting and contact sports are allowed at one month in most cases.

Depending on their duties, many patients are pleasantly surprised at how soon they are able to return to work. Our surgeons know that time is precious and getting patients back to work and normal activities is their specialty. Your doctor will talk with you in detail during your consultation about your lifestyle and activities. If you have a job or lifestyle that demands a lot of physical activity, he will discuss the postoperative rest requirements with you.