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Does it cost more for a person with HIV to get plastic surgery?

Q:

Does it cost more for a person with HIV to get plastic surgery versus a patient without HIV.  The surgeon told me that it would cost me $7,000 more than someone whom is HIV negative.  He told me that I would need to have special care.  Are there other precautions that need to be taken to insure the health and safety of someone that is HIV positive?

A:

What kind of procedure are you talking about?

The bottom line is if you're healthy, it shouldn't cost you more unless there are specific precautions that will have to be taken to do your procedure.  But I cannot imagine what would cost $7,000 over what others would pay for the same procedure. 

I suggest you find another surgeon and get another opinion.

Curtis S. F. Wong, M.D. - View Other Answers by this Doctor
Red Bluff, CA
Practice Website

A:

A person with HIV needs to be in good health and all blood work and other lab tests need to be in good order.  The treating physician needs to be involved and has to clear the patient for surgery.  You need the viral load to be minimal.  Once all history, physical examinations, and lab work is completed, and then all clearances are obtained, only then will you be ready for surgery.  The surgery cost is the same as any other person.  You need to tell your surgeon who in turn needs to tell the anesthesia and surgical teams that you are HIV positive.  This will assure that they will be extra careful in handling needles and sharps during the surgery (because of potential needle sticks, cuts with surgical instruments, etc.).  Your surgical team is slightly at risk.

Samir F. Shureih, M.D. - View Other Answers by this Doctor
Baltimore, MD
Practice Website

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