In January 2008, I had a rhinoplasty operation. I paid my $1500 deductible and paid an extra $3000 for the cosmetic part. Since I paid my deductible for the year of $1500 , everything I do is basically free for the year.
I had a deviated septum corrected plus a bit of a nose size reduction. My nose looks a lot nicer but I am still not totally satisfied. My septum is now straight but the only problem is that I still can't breath normally from both nose holes at the same time. I decided I wanted my doctor to do a revision to fix it a bit cosmetically since my nose tip still hangs a bit and I still have a bit of a bump on my nose, so I would like for him to bring it down a bit from the top bone, and bring my nose tip up a bit .
He has agreed to do the cosmetic revision at no additional cost and at the same time fix my breathing so I can breath smoothly from both holes at the same time. I have a lot of confidence in my surgeon. I just want him to do minor changes to my nose cosmetically and fix the breathing. Now, since I have already paid my deductible of $1500 for the year 2008 , if I do the surgery in December 2008, I won't have to pay the $1500 deductible, it will be free and it will be 11 months after my original first surgery took place. If I do the revision exactly 12 months later then the surgery will take place in January 2009, then I will need to pay the new $1500 deductible for the new year.
My surgeon recommended I wait 12 months. I asked him if I can do the surgery in December 2008 which is 11 months after my first surgery, but he said he does not recommend it and I should wait until January 2009 which will be 12 months later after my first surgery took place.
Should I wait 11 months or wait 12 months? Will it be safe to do the surgery 11 months later or will I be asking for trouble?
The traditional textbook answer is 12 months. However, the amount of further healing from 11 to 12 months time will be negligible overall. There are no contraindications to performing a revision in that time frame as long as you have an open and honest discussion with your surgeon about the goals and expectations. Gently ask to have he/she reconsider based on the financial issues.
