Sorry to disappear in the middle of the discussion, but I'm back now and I've gotten some answers about this terrible rampant boob job problem. Let's see if I remember everything we were talking about...
The first thing I think was debate on quality of Dr.s vs "learning" surgery. When I pointed out that they were all board certified doctors, I think I was answering mattlott's statement (if not him, then I don't remember who, sorry) that he didn't want a doctor learning how to do surgery on him. What I meant was that these doctors are all trained, and they are just maintaining currency like every other doctor out there. I wasn't saying that they were good doctors, just that they were not med school students, funeral home employees, or bio majors.
According to Dr. "Flo" Wagner of PACAF AES (summarized, not quoted):
Each year, 14-20 elective surguries are done through this program. Only active duty qualify, no dependents, guard, reservists or retirees. The process goes like this: paperwork to approve the surgery must originate from the subject's main health care provider (not the one doing the surgery), be approved by immediate supervisor, section supervisor, squadron/group/wing commanders, and also by that base's med group commander. This takes 6 months to a year. After it is approved, the subject is placed on a waiting list for the specific doctor/surgery to be accomplished. This wait is 2-4 years, depending on the dr and the surgery. The surgeries are only accomplished at 4 specific locations throughout the military, and when the subject's number comes up he or she must provide means to get to the location of the surgery. This means taking enough leave for pre and post-surgery recovery, as well as paying for travel to and from. If you are not able to take leave as necessary at the specific time, your name goes to the bottom of the list and you wait another 2-4 years.
So to answer about the logistics of setting the program up for civilian use, yes, of course it can be done. However, the insurance and policy adaptations that would need to be made are great. And the benefit of 20 extra surgeries a year in comparison to the amount of man-hours and policy-making that would be necessary to make it happen just doesn't cut it. I never said it was impossible, just that Horrido thinks all it takes is a phone call and a hand receipt, which is certainly not the case. It is a can of worms.
As for calling you out on not knowing the subject matter, Horrido, I never questioned your knowledge of military doctors' skill. That has almost nothing to do with this discussion. It was your knowledge of the financial processes of the military you aren't spun up on. That's why my description of my TDY focused on the money-matters of it. I'm not sure how you missed that, but it's a classic case of selective reading. Now, to answer your assertion that it gives doctors too much influence over people to get surgery they don't need, well, 6 months of hassling your commanders to sign the permission slip, 2-4 years of waiting for your slot to open, using up a big chunk of leave to get the surgery done and the cost of all the incidentals... If someone can talk you into that when you don't actually want or need it, go ahead and sign up. Darwin will be along to get you soon enough anyway.
A couple other interesting facts: This program is expected to cost the military approximately $100,000 per year, all told. In comparison, last year the military spent $1.3 million on another cosmetic medical procedure: braces. Except for some rare and extreme cases, braces are pretty much just for show. And yet the military very happily fixes all our teeth so that when we flash our Strapping Young Hero smiles we don't look like we just crawled out of deep West Virginia and found a pair of shoes. (just joshin' ya, anyone from WV! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>)
In closing, that's why I think you all are getting your panties in a wad over something not worth looking twice at. You are classic victims of media hype. Look at yourself in the mirror, say "I won't believe the hype!" 10 times (firmly, make yourself believe it!) and go forth.
And it's really good to be home. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> 5 countries in 3 weeks was too much!
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
