Can I get a Dr's note to get out of work if I get a Body Lift?

Question

I am wanting to do a body lift in October, but I may have a business meeting to go to that I do not want to go to. If i have the surgery and cannot fly yet after (to east coast), would it be possible to get a dr note from the surgeon? Would it say plastic surgery? I was going to say that I had surgery and cannot travel but don’t want them to know it was elective.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding whether you can get a doctor's note to get out of work if you get a body lift. Suppose your surgeon deems it reasonable. He may write a message saying you may not be able to work. When I wrote these notes for indicated patients, my letterhead had my name and address. It has no mention of plastic surgery or surgery. However, I do not know what your plastic surgeon would put on their letterhead. Therefore, the letter's writing depends on your plastic surgeon and their willingness to write a note and on what the paper on the memo describes. 
I specialize in reconstructive plastic surgery after weight loss. Please contact my office if you have more questions regarding the lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy. Since the body lift is an extensive procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the lower body lift. Do your research. Ensure they have completed at least 100 circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after photos and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state.
Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. ("Verified" Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Tommaso Addona, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.
You should be able to acquire a note stating it is medically unsafe to fly after your procedure. Although the type of procedure you are having does not need to be disclosed to your employer, your doctor cannot change the fact that they are a plastic surgeon.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Glorious7157,
you should be able to get a Dr's note from the surgeon. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Christopher Pannucci, MD, MS · Answer

Hi Glorious,
I am always willing to provide a doctors note that discusses restrictions to my patients. But I have to be honest about who I am and my credentials...while you can request that the note not specifically discuss the nature of your surgery, your note would definitely come from a plastic surgeon's office. This may create more questions than you would prefer to answer.
Would be good to discuss with your surgeon in advance.
Hope this helps.
Best,Christopher Pannucci MD MSBoard Certified Plastic SurgeonPlastic Surgery NorthwestSpokane, Washington

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

If you need a note from your surgeon stating you should not fly relating to your surgical recovery (provided of course that this is the case), then your surgeon should be able to provide that to you.  The note will obviously have the name of your surgeon on it.  The type of surgery you had does not need to be disclosed.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

Yes, you may get a doctor's note to provide to your employer while you recover. In compliance with HIPAA, information regarding your procedure is never disclosed. Although elective surgery comprises a good portion of cases, plastic surgery also includes reconstructive and medically necessary procedures and thus, your employer will not know if your procedure is elective or required. A body lift is a transformative comprehensive procedure targeted at removing excess skin and fat. Optimal results are achieved when an upper and body lift is combined with fat grafting and body contouring with high definition VASER liposuction. As an official VASER trainer, I am routinely referred unhappy patients whose skin and fat ratios were not properly assessed and thus it is critical that your surgeon be skilled and experienced in addressing these two components. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a specialist can help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing.

Respectfully,
Arian Mowlavi MD,FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Respectfully,
Arian Mowlavi MD,FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Can I get a Dr's note to get out of work if I get a Body Lift?

Answers (6)

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