Do you get one free cosmetic surgery in the military?

Answer 1

Tricare will pay for cosmetic surgery if it is medically necessary. However, some of the MTFs(military treatment facilities) offer plastic surgeries at the base. There is usually a very long waiting list but that is one thing that you can have done. They do cosmetic surgeries such as breast lifts and even implants.
The military hospitals that do offer them usually do the procedures as a teaching mechanism.

Contact Tricare

And to Roberts 1102, you are incorrect. They do cover LASIK now. It is offered freely at my base (but there is a waiting list)...and I know for a fact it is offered at others.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

The military does perform cosmetic surgery. Usually, they will do rotations at civilian hospitals to practice, but at military hospitals they will fit in soldiers and dependents on a space available basis to do cosmetic surgery.

Many people think this is wasteful, but the surgeons need to keep their skills sharp. The same skills that go into face lifts and breast enhancements are used to correct disfiguring scars and missing muscle from combat wounds.

To directly address your question, you can get as many free cosmetic surgeries as you like -- but you will wait a long time for a free operating room.

Answer 4

Yes and no.

The military does do some cosmetic surgery's so the plastic surgons can keep in practice.

The top two military performed plastic surgerys are:

1. Face lifts ( mainly to officers )
2. breast enlargments

But you are not entitled to them.

IE: If they say they are to busy, etc, you have no right to have any cosmetic procedure done.

And now, with the war going on, the procedures have dropped to zero for voluntary cosmetic purposes.

Answer 5

Yes, I have had cosmetic surgery, that was paid for by the Army. My Company First Sergeant has also had breast implants. The Army will allow one cosmetic surgery and it is not hard a get.

Answer 6

Sometimes. It is decided case by case, but it's more uncommon now that we're at war.

Surgeons were authorized to do cosmetic surgery on approved cases, because they needed to keep their skills sharp. Now that we're at war (and there are soldiers who actually NEED the surgery), the surgeons are busy reconstructing the faces and bodies of the soldiers who have been wounded.

Answer 7

Depends on the procedure and how the referring doctor writes it up -- I qualified for a tummy tuck paid for by Tricare and performed at the Naval Hospital in Norfolk -- I decided not to have the procedure done though

Answer 8

Only by getting your name on the list, after immediate military personnel are taken care of.

See, Docs need to keep their skills honed when not working on soldiers. So they do do some 'pro bono' work on civilians to keep up with various skills. Just need to check with your post.

Answer 9

I have a cousin that convinced the Air Force that her small breast were causing her emotional and mental problems and they paid for her to have breast implants. Also my sister in law (who is in the Marines), after having her second child, had to have breat reduction sugury.

Answer 10

I would say only if it is for your medical health. Very unlikely the military is going to find a reason to spend their funding on making someone look better for no real reason. The military typically only does things for people if it is deemed necessary or beneficial to the service. So, if it is not necessary and does not help the military they will most likely not pay for it.