What to Buy Fall 2007: A New Face

WOW…I can see a new reality show coming…people who need a financial make-over because of their mania for plastic surgery or cosmetic procedures has bankrupted them.  Another instance of predatory lending practices taking advantage of people who haven’t heard the phrase “Buyer/Borrower Beware!”

I work in the HMO business and I have noticed lots of docs having “side businesses” doing cosmetic procedures.  This bipasses health insurance reimbursement issues for them since these medical services are not medically necessary and therefore cash only.  It is a real profit margin plus for them.

I see it all the time.
I work in a surgical clinic and we have seen at least 2 women who went to go get tummy tucks in Mexico and came back with major infections. We’ve seen women with large breast implants come in because of a suspected cancerous mass. And believe me, a breast check with those implants in is a lot more difficult and painful than for those without.  I’ve also seen women come in who’ve developed capsular contractions, and have to have not one, but several operations to take them out and rebuild the chest wall.

Ok. it’s their choice. But alot of these women don’t have a pot to …well, you know. They have really cheap HMO insurance, or many aren’t insured at all. Some have expired PPO insurance, or they have PPO but can’t afford to meet the deductible.

Which leads me to say, there isn’t anything sexier than paying your bills and having money in the bank!