Does military offer free cosmetic surgery?

Question

I'm a spouse of a military and i heard that we are entitled of having 2 free cosmetic or reconstructive surgeries is this true? I want to have a tummy tuck and breast implants...

Answer 1

No way! That's not true.
I do know you are able to get reduced cost plastic surgery at Ft Sam Houston, TX. That is where they train military doctors. I don't think I would want "trainees" operating on ANY part of me though.

Answer 2

OK, here is the real truth... the military (the Air Force anyway) will give you free cosmetic surgery. However, I don't know if spouses/dependants qualify for this or if it is only for active duty. That is something you will have to look into.

Any and all procedures are available but there are a few catches...
1) There must be a surgeon available to do your procedure (basically, any military doctor who is licensed to practice cosmetic surgery HAS to do a certain number of procedures in order to keep his certification; therefore the military offers them to members who want/need them... those who need them have priority over those who don't. Other than that, there are no limitations as to what kind of procedure you have done).
2) You have to get on a waiting list. Last I heard at Lackland AFB, the waiting list for breast augmentation was over a year long.
3) You MAY have to pay something... for example, you have to put up the cash for the implants. It's like paying for parts but the labor is free.
4) You have to trust that they will do a good job because there is no such thing as malpractice with military surgeons...

Again, not sure about dependants though. Good luck!! :)

Answer 3

The military will provide some procedures for free depending on the installation. I've talked to people who've gotten boob and nose jobs (they had to pay for the implants) and I've heard about people getting liposuction and hair removal. They cannot do the procedure strictly for cosmetic reasons, there has to be some kind of underlying condition even if it is just low self esteem. You can make a doctors appointment and ask about the possibility of recieving a certain procedure. And before everyone says - why is the government wasting the tax payers money to pay for soldiers to get boob jobs? It's because reconstructive surgeons need to practice their skills to be prepared when a soldier gets maimed in a car bombing.

Answer 4

My husband has heard that too, he is also in the military but I think there are limitations. You'd need to talk to a doctor at a MTF. From what I understand the docs do this to train and keep up their skills so that they can treat wounded soldiers/sailors in the time of battle or other serious injury/disfigurment. Also call tricare. I'm done having children and want a tummy tuck to repair what my c-section did to me.

Answer 5

There is a huge difference between cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Cosmetic is for vanity, tummy tuck, face lift, breast implants. Reconstructive is to fix damage from severe accident that causes disfigurement. The military will cover reconstructive if it is deemed necessary for the betterment of the person receiving it. Cosmetic surgery generally isn't paid by the military unless it is medical necessity, breast reduction. I hope this helps answer the question.

Answer 6

No, neither the military nor the majority of other private insurance companies will cover these type of cosmetic or reconstructive surgeries as they are not deemed as "necessities". Military insurance will only cover these type of surgery if they are related to repairing damage resulting from some type of injury.

Answer 7

generally speaking, no. very few treatment facilites offer elective surgery options to dependants, and only the actual procedure would be free, you would have to pay for the implants and the costs associated with your stay. additionally, there is a huge waiting list because it is strictly on a Space A basis to keep the surgeons in practice. Actove duty and reconstructive due to combat have precedence.

Answer 8

Lackland AFB does offer those services, it is just as lexus stated in her posting, there is a waiting list, there is cost, and spouses are eligible. you would really just have to talk to your doctor for more info, then be prepared to wait till you are contacted(kinda like gettin on the list for base housing lol.) and if your arent near a base that offers it then you will have to cover your travel costs yourself, and may just be better off going somewhere else. good luck, and ignore these folks who sneer at such an honest question that many of us are interested in. (not to mention the hubby would love for me to get on the list...but im just a big ole chicken)

Answer 9

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Answer 10

No, dear. You heard wrong. The military doesn't even offer cosmetic surgery to military members unless there was an accident ON DUTY that caused a physical disfigurement. And even then, the soldier REALLY has to fight to get it done because the military medical system sucks.