From an article in the The New Yorker regarding free plastic surgery to members of the armed forces:
“Anyone wearing a uniform is eligible,” Dr. Bob Lyons, the chief of plastic surgery at Brooke Army Medical Center, said recently, in his office in San Antonio. It is true: personnel in all four branches of the military and members of their immediate families can get face-lifts, nose jobs, breast enlargements, liposuction, or any other kind of elective cosmetic alteration, at taxpayer expense.
[…]
A Defense Department spokeswoman confirmed the existence of the plastic-surgery benefit. According to the Army, between 2000 and 2003 its doctors performed four hundred and ninety-six breast enlargements and a thousand three hundred and sixty-one liposuction surgeries on soldiers and their dependents.
[…]
Mario Moncada […] said that he knows several female soldiers who have received free breast enlargements: “We’re out there risking our lives. We deserve benefits like that.”
[…]
The Army’s rationale is that, as a spokeswoman said, “the surgeons have to have someone to practice on.” “The benefit of offering elective cosmetic surgery to soldiers is more for the surgeon than for the patient,” Lyons said.
[…]
There has been talk lately among soldiers that this benefit is indeed being used as a recruiting tool, but there is no mention of it in any of the recruiting literature. “The Army does not offer elective cosmetic surgery to entice anyone,” Dr. Lyons said. “I would be disappointed with the maturity of the young women in this country if they’re joining the service with the thought of getting breast augmentations.”
I’m okay with it as a learning tool, but it seems a little excessive to me.
Brad Froehle 
I think plastic surgery is a great idea! What about former patients whom had surgeries through military hospitals (Lyster Army Hospital)in the past ( i.e appendectomy)in which the outcome was unsatisfactory. In lamens terms, “it was a horrible job!” I am a disabled veteran rated at 30% (u.s. Army). Can I opt for surgery free of charge also? Please respond and call me back at (317) 334-0014 home or (317) 289-7240 anytime #
where can i get more information?
I WOULD ALSO LIKE SOME INFO… PLEASE
hello, where can i get more information about the free plastic surgery. i want to know, if it is just for active duty or also for spouses?! do i need to forfill any requirements?
thank you
I contacted a TRICARE rep and was sent the following:
The Military Plastic Surgeon can preform these procedure. They need to stay competent in their practice to pass their exams and help the wounded troops who may need these procedures. If you reside in SATX and are assigned to BAMC or Wilford Hall as your PCM, you will need to get a referral to the Plastic Clinic for any procedures.
Richard – TRICARE
—
so apparently you have to reside in San Antonion and one of those hospitals must be listed as your PCM. Honey, time to change the dreamsheet!! LOL
Thanks Jenn for the response. I hope this helps all of you who were looking for information sooner.
I am really looking for information on this for my wife for breast augmentation and my ship can’t give me any of the information I need to do this please help…
I would like to know all the information on how to go about getting the plastic surgery. I would love to have a tummy tuck and a nose job. Thank you
Is San Antonio the only location offering free plastic surgery? I was told by tri care it is not covered at all. If anyone has different info please let me know!
An interesting related site:
“http://www.bulletsnotboobs.com/”:http://www.bulletsnotboobs.com/
Your sponsor doesnt have to live in the area where you receive treatment as long as you get your PCP to authorize you to have the procedure done you can get it… Change your PCP to San Antonio, then make an appointment with the PCP and ask for a referral for plastic surgery, you just have to make the request to change your PCP before the 20th of the current month.. and i guess have a lot of leave time on the books lolol.. Good luck, I plan to get some stuff done this year myself.
hello, where can i get more information about tummy tuck and where can i get that surgery in virginia.
i am on title 10 orders the Rear detachment officer, can i get a breast augmentation through a private plastic surgeon or how do i get a military DR to perform this? i am in Utah.
please send me some info. on the plastic surgery for military and there spouses…..
my husband is in the army national guard am I allowed to recieve surgery? andif so how do i get information.
hello, i would like to get some info on how i can get free plastic surgery, breast implants. my husband and i are at camp pendleton california.
Hello. My name is Katreen Hardt, I’m a freelance writer, and I’m currently working on a story for British Glamour magazine about free cosmetic surgery in the military.
I’m trying to find young women (20s/30s) who’ve had military paid breast augmentation/lipo/nose jobs/face lifts, and so forth, who will go on record as well as have their photos taken for the magazine.
Should you know of anyone who fits the above description, I’d appreciate it if you could put them in touch with me.
Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards,
Katreen Hardt
Email: katreenh@hotmail.com
I am a reporter working on a story about the plastic/reconstructive surgeries in the military. If you live or are stationed in the San Antonio area and have had a procedure, would you please contact me. Thanks
Barry Davis
I’m living in Japan right now and would like to know how to get the procedure done. My PCP said she will right the referral just need to know where to send it. Is there someone over here that can do it? Would like some more info. Thanks, April
How do you get Tricare to follow their own rules? My wife had Stomach Bypass Surgery and was reccomended for Plastic Surgery but had to wait at least 1 yr. I moved bases and now that the time is now for her surgery Tricare Prime Remote South says that it is not offered. Is this Article a lie and false reporting or isn’t Tricare educating its employee’s on their own policy?
Why is this offered to only active military? Some spouse’s of retired military would like this too.
I am a military spouse and would like to get information about plastic surgery. Where do I even begin with this? I would like to know about cost, locations, and outcomes. I appreciate any help.
I am a military spouse and I am in need of a tummy tuck. I have 4 children.I have a weak back due to weak ab muscles. I have read that I could also have my tubes tied at the same time as a tummy tuck. How do I get more info? Thanks
Hello. Correct me if I am wrong, I just want to get this right. I just go to my PCP and say I want big boobs and she just has to say ok and I can get them?! I am active duty in the St. Louis, MO area and was wondering if there were any docs in the area that preformed these procedures. I would really appreciate it. Thanks.
Hello, I am a military dependent and am wondering what type of free cosmetic surgery is available for us. I live on Shaw AFB, SC, but wouldn’t mind taking a trip to texas for such as experience. Please contact me with more information.
Please forward this e-mail to the scheduling desk for dependants. My husband is retired Air Force. In 1973 at Fort Bliss, Texas, I opted for and received silicone breast implants. I have my medical records concerning this surgery. My current mammogram has indicated that there is the appearance of leaking from my right implant. Both implants are encapsulated so I am not in a panic at this time. My health overall is excellent, however, I do need to have the current implants replaced.
My TRICARE confirmation number VDYA08406075. Through my employment at UT School of Law I also have Blue Cross & Blue Shield (UT Select) health insurance. It has been estimated that even though I have two insurance providers, the charge to handle this situation locally would be approximately $8,000.
If this situation is best handled by making an appointment and coming in for a review, please let me know where to call.
Best regards, Peggy Brundage
Who does my wife need to see and how do we go about initating getting her a breast augmentation? Hard to find any info on this. Do we do it through Tricare or some other way? Thanks for any info you give.
I have just finished breast feeding my 2nd child and my boobs are dreadful! I would like to find out more information on the free breast augmentation through the military. My husband is active duty Amry and is currently in Iraq. Thank you. My email is abidecaro123@yahoo.com
can the spouses of retired military get surgery as well or just current?? please let me know who to call
thanks!
My wife and I are trying to figure this out, too. We are stationed at Ft. Benning, GA and have looked into it. Does anyone know of any eligible plastic surgeons in the Columbus, GA area?
i want information about breast implants.
I live in the Camp Pendleton, CA area and was wondering if there is a better way to find out more? I would like to pursue with getting cosmetic surgery, my husband is my sponser. Has anyone had any luck with some solid information on this? Thanks. Please let me know!
I am in the military and would like to get more information as far as what I need to do in order to get a breast enlargement.
I am in the Illinois National Guard. I just came back from overseas and wanted to have a little more info on this subject. Where is the closest installation that perfoms plastic surgery to chicago?
I also need more info of the free plastic surgery. I have chronic neck and shoulder pain and know with a breast lift, it should take some strain off these points. I’d like to try this type of surgery before they start cutting into my shoulder.
I need more info for this free lipo surgery, I injury my knee while deployed and it is hard to lose weight. Please help
could you please give me information on whether or not there are surgeons here in savannah, ga that offer these services.
HOW AND WHO DO YOU TALK WITH TO FIND OUT ABOUT BREAST IMPLANTS.
I am the wife of an overseas soldier. I have had to children, and my breasts, and stomach are horrid. I have wanted a breast reduction for about 3 years now, and i’d like to have a tummy tuck done as well. How can I get info on this matter?
I’m currently in the process of getting my consultation approved. You don’t have to live or be stationed in San Antonio, you would need to be near a military facility and have your primary care manager submit a referral for plastic surgery (including your height, weight, and whether you are a smoker)into the system. After that, either the plastic surgeon or the medical management office will decide whether you qualify. Tricare will only pay if it is medically necessary!!! Be sure to have your doctor read you the referral they submit to ensure that it sounds medically correct. If tricare won’t pay for it, you can still pay to have it done at the military facility at a much much cheaper rate than with a civilian. Email me if you have any questions at angalawilson@yahoo.com. Oh, active duty does get procedures done at no cost, dependents must pay for elective procedures.
My husband is active duty and we are stationed at Fort Drum NY and i would like to know if i am able to get free plastic surgury and if so, how do i go about it?
Hello,
I am interested in a breast augmentation. How do I go about doing this? What are the steps? We are stationed at Eglin AFB.
Angala is correct (see #40 above). I am currently in San Antonio and have already had my consult with the surgeon and the procedures approved. My husband is active duty Navy, and as a dependant that is asking for plastic surgery procedures (breast augmentation, liposuction and a scar revision)that are not medically necessary, I am able to get it done at a reduced cost from what it would be out in town.
My husband came home the other day and said that the military is offering free surgery. Everywhere I have gone doesnt give me much information. We are currently staitoned in New York. How do I get info?
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