Who have you told? Who will you tell? What will you say if people ask?

I have wanted to get this done for a long time. For the past year or so, I've been lurking here, reading your stories, and learning everything I can about the procedure. Thank you for that!

Recently I had a consult, scheduled my surgery date, and put down a deposit. When I spoke with a scheduler in the office, I asked about preop blood work. I was pleasantly surprised when she said I didn't need any, as I don't have any major medical problems, heart issues, etc.

Then I got a letter shortly afterward detailing my required preop blood work! I had assumed that I would have to do it, and was still a little irked that the scheduler obviously didn't know what she was talking about. HOWEVER, what really is upsetting me is that the letter implied that I would need to get the blood work done through my primary care doctor. What?! I called and was told that I couldn't get the blood work done at the plastic surgery site, even though the office is part of a major hospital network. I would HAVE to get it done with my primary care doctor. I see a major problem with this. I have an HMO and I seriously doubt that they will pay for blood work for an elective, cosmetic procedure.

The (different) office worker I spoke with said that I could just ask for the routine tests, and presumably not tell them it was needed for plastic surgery. Unfortunately, I told her, I had full blood work done a couple of months ago, so I can't imagine they would do it again so soon. Of course, the plastic surgeon can't use those results as they "have to be within 30 days of the surgery". UGH!

I find it quite strange that I cannot get the blood work done at the plastic surgeon's office/hospital. When I protested further with the office worker, she told me that if my HMO won't cover it, I would have to pay for it out of pocket somewhere! This really angered me. For the amount that I am paying, I am quite aggravated that the cost of blood work that THEY are requiring isn't part of the total package, which DOES include all follow up appointments for a year, yet doesn't include their required preop work?

This is not sitting well with me at all. I wanted to ask if this is the norm in the plastic surgery world or if this is something unusual with my plastic surgeon. Were you required to have blood work done prior to your rhinoplasty? If so, was that done at your plastic surgery site as part of your total cost? Did you have to try to get your insurance company to do it? Were they willing? Or did you have to pay an outside lab to do it?

I had been so excited to finally get the balling rolling on my surgery, and now am feeling stuck. : (