Posted on Jun 18, 2014
I am curious about what the RP Community thinks about Service Members getting Plastic/Cosmetic Surgery (Males & Females)?
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Some people have done it for medical purposes, others just for esthetic. Do you know someone? Have you done it? Is this could be a reason for Discharge? How this could affect your physical training? What about in combat zone?
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Surgery Professionalism
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I believe that SM should be able to do with there body as they please as long as they are not making themselves look unprofessional (whatever you deem that to be). A tummy tuck, lipo, breast augmentation, chin chizzle, ect. Many of these things are to help individuals with self confidence, and a self confident person is typically a happier person.
As far as down time is concerned and recovery, make sure the person is taking the time out of their own leave, have them get a profile immediately after the procedure so they know what not to do to prevent injury and infection. We botch plenty of surgeries in the military now so complications is something I'm not to worried about. JMO.
As far as down time is concerned and recovery, make sure the person is taking the time out of their own leave, have them get a profile immediately after the procedure so they know what not to do to prevent injury and infection. We botch plenty of surgeries in the military now so complications is something I'm not to worried about. JMO.
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LTC Paul Labrador
First off, we don't "botch" surgeries any more than our civilian counterparts. Complications related to surgeries are not "botches", but just that: complications. Those are risks for ALL surgeries.
Second, when we raised our right hands, we pretty much agreed that personal wants no longer took priority over mission readiness. Many of these surgeries have unforseen complications that may affect mission readiness. If the SM wants something that is purely cosmetic, they can wait until they come off of AD where their personal actions and needs no longer affect mission readiness.
Second, when we raised our right hands, we pretty much agreed that personal wants no longer took priority over mission readiness. Many of these surgeries have unforseen complications that may affect mission readiness. If the SM wants something that is purely cosmetic, they can wait until they come off of AD where their personal actions and needs no longer affect mission readiness.
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SPC Christopher Smith
Botch and complication: playing with semantics. Most people understood what message I was delivering. Plenty of people hurt themselves and are not mission capable in the name of physical fitness should they wait until they get out to loose weight, or develop the strength they want as well? Life is full of risk how you die depends on which risk didn't payoff.
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LTC Paul Labrador
Not sementics. A "botch" indicates negligence. Complications do not necessarily indicate negligence. Definitions matter. Particlularly if the person being investigated or accused is YOU.
There is a reason for line of duty designations for injuiries. Yes accidents happen. That is why we do them. However, when it is found that you took unneccessary risks or were found to be negligent in your actions, well guess what, your injury or condition does not get covered by the Army. Remember, as a SM your actions do not affect you alone.
There is a reason for line of duty designations for injuiries. Yes accidents happen. That is why we do them. However, when it is found that you took unneccessary risks or were found to be negligent in your actions, well guess what, your injury or condition does not get covered by the Army. Remember, as a SM your actions do not affect you alone.
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SPC Christopher Smith
I will remember that the next time I take a PT test, 60 in each event so I mitigate my chances of getting hurt from straining myself. I don't want to "botch" my chances to live a healthy life should I tear my ACL and there are complications during the surgery.
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Suspended Profile
The plastics guys performed near miracles putting faces etc back together in Vietnam. I believe they have even better techniques and materials now. There is a lot to be said about looking your best and feeling good about yourself. They did an outstanding job on me for a bad and deeply disfiguring field injury.
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The Air Force currently allows some cosmetic surgery. The way the AF works it (and I would suspect that the Army and Navy follow similar protocol?) is that 1. cost is out of pocket unless it can be medically justified for Tricare to cover (in most cases, cosmetic is not justified medically so is not a covered benefit). 2. Procedure and recovery is done on PERSONAL LEAVE. Con-Leave is NOT authorized. 3. Prior to having procedure, you are to get letters of authorization from your chain of command, as the recovery time may impact PT or deployability...leadership needs to know before you go under the knife.
In some locations, you may also have cosmetic surgery in a military MTF. I know some people have received care for plastic surgery, they are charged for some of the supplies used, but not full cost. This is a method used to retain some surgeons by allowing them to keep up with their skills....if not allowed to do some of these surgeries, they leave the military.
In some locations, you may also have cosmetic surgery in a military MTF. I know some people have received care for plastic surgery, they are charged for some of the supplies used, but not full cost. This is a method used to retain some surgeons by allowing them to keep up with their skills....if not allowed to do some of these surgeries, they leave the military.
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LTC Paul Labrador
Yup, this is pretty much the Army's policy and procedure too. The biggest issue aside from cost is the approval from CoC. We had an issue in Korea of soldiers going onto the economy for plastic surgery and paying out of pocket without anyone knowing (Korea, in case folks don't know is the cosmetic surgery capital of the world). However, we were seeing a rash of post surgical complications that the Korean doctors were not going to treat. It got so prevelant that USFK put a ban on plastic surgery while stationed on pen. If you needed it for a legitimate medical reason (ie to repair combat injury) you were sent back to Tripler.
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
That checks with what I have seen. I know a few people that have had elective surgery done and they always had to get a letter from the MDG/CC approving it.
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