How successful is a cleft lip operation? What is the minimum procedural cost?!
Question:
How successful is a cleft lip operation? What is the minimum procedural cost?
Answers:
It depends on the person and the cleft surgeon. Many kids need at least one revision as they grow. Some surgeons use different devices (Latham, NAM, taping), which can help reduce the need for revisions, but some kids don't use the devices and don't need revisions.
Are you talking about for an adult whose lip has been repaired, but needs a revision or for a kid? Cosmetic surgery is often quite successful for adults.
As for cost, when our son had his intitial repair, the doctor we in network. The surgery was successful, but he needed a revision last year. At that time, the same surgeon was no longer on our plan, but we chose to use him anyway. His fee was $5300. The hospital and anesthesia costs were covered, but they would have probably totaled another $10,000 or so.
The other poster had good advice - check with Shriner's. They have a website that has an application you can fill out to get started. Easter Seals will often help with expenses too.
I recommend going to www.cleftadvocate.org and check out the resources for your state. Depending on whether you are referring to an adult or a child, there are different programs and resources to help out. Our son has coverage through our insurance and also Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (Ohio). He is almost 6 and so far (other than the out of network doc) we have had very few expenses.
Please feel free to contact me if you need more information.