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Frequently Asked Questions Use the drop down menu below to navigate between our FAQ sections. General When will I learn about the cost of surgery? It is understandable that you would like to have information about the cost of surgery as soon as possible. Dr. Johnson must first complete a thorough evaluation before your individualized surgical plan can be developed. Following this evaluation, the fees required for your surgery will be discussed with you. While most insurance plans will not pay for aesthetic procedures, they frequently will cover surgery performed to repair or improve function. Dr. Johnson and his business staff will discuss the costs and payment options of your procedure with you at the time of consultation, and can answer any questions you have at that time. Will insurance cover my surgery? In many more cases than realized, insurance will cover (in whole or in part) many of the procedures performed by Dr. Johnson. Procedures such as eyelid surgery, nasal surgery, breast reduction surgery, abdominal surgery, and others often qualify as covered procedures under many insurance policies. Contact Dr. Johnson's office at 395-8100 to see if he is a provider for your insurance company. Dr. Johnson's business office will work diligently to help you secure coverage from your carrier for qualified procedures. How should I prepare for surgery? Aspirin and certain anti-inflammatory drugs can cause increased bleeding, so you should avoid taking these medications for a period of time before surgery. Dr. Johnson and his staff will advise you and will provide additional pre-operative instructions. If your hair is very short, you may want to let it grow enough to cover your incisions while they heal. If you are overweight and you have a realistic desire to lose more than 15 pounds, you should discuss this with Dr. Johnson. If your surgery will be performed on an outpatient basis, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home and to stay with you at least the first night following surgery. What will the day of surgery be like? Your procedure may be performed at one of the three local hospitals, the freestanding Rockford Ambulatory Surgical Center, or at our state-of-the-art, office-based surgical suite. Dr. Johnson wants you to be as comfortable as possible during your procedure, so medications will be given to you prior to surgery. Also, during your pre-surgical consultation with Dr. Johnson, you'll decide which anesthesia option is best for you (intravenous sedation or general anesthesia). During surgery, your heart rate, blood pressure, pulse, and the amount of oxygen saturation will be closely monitored for your safety. After Dr. Johnson has completed your surgery, you will be taken into a recovery area where you will continue to be closely monitored. The surgical area may be covered in a bandage to reduce swelling. For a few limited procedures, such as a "tummy tuck," a small tube may be inserted beneath the skin to drain away fluids that may otherwise accumulate, but you will not feel this tube at all. Surprisingly enough, most patients experience very little discomfort during their procedure. Typically, patients can go home a few hours after surgery. In some cases, a patient may need to stay overnight in the hospital. 
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