Do ENTs perform surgery?
Yes. Our medical training teaches us to treat the medical and surgical aspects of diseases of the ears, nose, throat, and head and neck. The full name of our specialty is Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery.
Will insurance cover my surgery if it is elective?
Elective surgery only refers to the timing of your surgery. If it is not an emergency, it is being done electively. It has nothing to do with whether or not the surgery is medically necessary. If your surgery is being done for a medically necessary reason, it will probably be covered by insurance. You should check with your insurance carrier to see if you have benefits. Cosmetic surgery (which is also done on an elective basis) will likely not be covered by your insurance, because it is not a medical necessity.
How much will the surgery cost?
That will depend on your insurance coverage. First, you need to determine if the operation is covered by insurance. If it is, then you must determine whether the surgery will be applied to your deductible or not. If you have already met your deductible, there may still be a portion you are responsible for. Our business office can assist you with these issues. In addition to the surgeon’s fee, there will also be fees from the anesthesiologist, the surgical facility, and possibly from laboratory/pathology. These fees are completely independent of Suburban Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates, Ltd.
Do you use a laser to take tonsils out?
There are many ways to remove tonsils. The cutting device used by your surgeon may be a knife, electrocautery, laser, or a radiofrequency hand piece (called the Coblator). While all methods are acceptable, studies have shown that the Coblator causes less post-operative pain, leading to a faster recovery. The Coblator hand piece is constantly irrigating the throat while it cuts, and therefore it operates at a lower temperature. For this reason, many surgeons at Suburban Ear, Nose, and Throat Associates use the Coblator. More information can be obtained by viewing the Coblator website.
Will I have an ugly scar/do I need a plastic surgeon to close my incision?
While all incisions in the skin will leave a scar, there are techniques to create the most favorable results. The Ear, Nose, and Throat training is dedicated to teaching physicians the most advanced techniques in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. After completing his/her training, your physician has ample experience in soft tissue surgery, which includes cosmetic wound closure.