What can be done for my daughter's face?

[Anonymous]

Or go back to the ER

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly you're all getting your panties in a twist. The most likely scenario is these abrasions are superficial and do NOT require plastic surgery.

Hospital doctors are experienced enough in this to know the difference. A bunch of amateurs on the internet who haven't examined her, do not.

Nobody is that!

Everyone is saying to get a plastic surgery consult to avoid unnecessary ugly scaring to this child’s FACE! Some examples of what a surgeon could do: Use tiny stitches that get changed frequently to avoid scarring. Use surgical tape in areas where it would work better. Use specific ointments to reduce scarring. Give her a specific timeline for facial movements to avoid: like DO NoT smile/frown/raise eyebrows for at least two weeks. Etc.

The plastic surgeon consult is not about surgery, it is about applying the knowledge of how the skin heals so that the girl is not permanently scarred from this accident.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I am reluctant to post a doctor recommendation without my having firsthand knowledge of the person, but I just googled "washington d.c. low income plastic surgeon" and the first hit that popped up is a D.C. area a plastic surgeon who does pro bono humanitarian work so it is possible if you call her office they may have some wallet-friendly advice/suggestions for you.

Austin Weston in Reston is pretty high end and they routinely do humanitarian trips out of the country, so I suspect if you call them they would do something here as well. The team of physicians is top notch and very nice. It can't hurt to call them, I'm sure they would at the very least do a telephone/telemedicine consult with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another person here surprised that they didn’t call in a plastic surgeon at the hospital. I was in a similar situation. They wouldn’t do anything until a plastic surgeon came to be the one to do the stitches etc. Gave me a whole new respect for the profession because I had never thought of them doing that kind of work.

The plastic surgeon that did my (vanity) work is also a DDS and a maxilo-facial surgeon who does traumatic injury repairs. He's very good. Many make their money on cosmetics and do great work on people with facial deformities from accidents or birth. He's a great surgeon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last week she was in a bad car accident involving a tree. A lot of glass cut her face, and the ER used medical glue, not stiches. She is healing, and I promised her if she doesn't heal I will get her a consult with a plastic surgeon, but so far here is what we are doing:

- more medical glue for the cut at the corner where her lips meet (it falls off)
- she knows to stay out of the sun and not cover up the cuts with makeup until they've healed
- she has Bio Oil for when the cut is closed and scarring

Is there anything else I can get her? A coworker just told me teens are into The Ordinary but I don't know what any of those potions do exactly.

OP, I don’t get this. You keep responding to people telling you to get her a consult NOW that you can’t afford it. What’s going to change later when she has the scarring that’s hard to fix??? This is penny wise pound foolish.

I don’t have the money now.

The driver’s insurance should be paying for this. Your reluctance to follow normal procedures and have the boyfriend‘a insurance pay might result in permanent facial scarring for your daughter. You need to do your job as mom here and make a plastic surgeon consult happen while making insurance claims.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last week she was in a bad car accident involving a tree. A lot of glass cut her face, and the ER used medical glue, not stiches. She is healing, and I promised her if she doesn't heal I will get her a consult with a plastic surgeon, but so far here is what we are doing:

- more medical glue for the cut at the corner where her lips meet (it falls off)
- she knows to stay out of the sun and not cover up the cuts with makeup until they've healed
- she has Bio Oil for when the cut is closed and scarring

Is there anything else I can get her? A coworker just told me teens are into The Ordinary but I don't know what any of those potions do exactly.

Insurance should cover medical no matter who was at fault. Plastic Surgekn Pronto.

[Anonymous]

Mom, please take her to plastic surgeon ASAP. personal story--fell 2 years ago, really went to ED for ABX due to being on immunosuppresants as had bad bleeding on knees, had cut above eyebrow--not really that bad at all but the face bleeds a lot/ So while in ED PA goes--oh I can use some glue above your eyebrow so you dont bleed and being DUMB I said OK, well...what was not apparent then and was a month later--eyebrow 2-3 mm higher on that side, ugly hole like scar above my eyebrow and my whole forehead is asymmetrical because of this $%#@ PA...had I of just gone home I would have a normal face today.
At this point I am waiting to to get my ducks in a row and see a plastic surgeon for reconstructive surgery

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this was a car crash, who was responsible? Was there a police report? If there's insurance, it's possible that your daughter's medical costs would be paid.

So step one may be to see an attorney. This is the kind of case a personal injury lawyer might be willing to take on a contingency--translation, you only have to pay the attorney if there is a settlement or verdict.

Nobody was responsible - her boyfriend was driving at night, when it was misty out, the road was slippery and he lost control going around a turn and they slammed into a tree. There's nobody to sue. If anyone was responsible it was her boyfriend, but it was an accident. Nobody was drinking or high, he wasn't on his phone, they were both wearing seatbelts. He's just an inexperienced driver.

Translation - he was driving too fast. Maybe because of inexperience, maybe overconfidence, maybe to show off for your daughter. Doesn't matter.

His insurance (especially if it was his car) is responsible for your daughters medical costs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please take her to a plastic surgeon now. I am surprised the ER didn't call one in.

This. You should have asked for a plastic surgeon consult while you were in the ER. You need to take her now, it will be easier to smooth things out now than after scars have formed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last week she was in a bad car accident involving a tree. A lot of glass cut her face, and the ER used medical glue, not stiches. She is healing, and I promised her if she doesn't heal I will get her a consult with a plastic surgeon, but so far here is what we are doing:

- more medical glue for the cut at the corner where her lips meet (it falls off)
- she knows to stay out of the sun and not cover up the cuts with makeup until they've healed
- she has Bio Oil for when the cut is closed and scarring

Is there anything else I can get her? A coworker just told me teens are into The Ordinary but I don't know what any of those potions do exactly.

OP, I don’t get this. You keep responding to people telling you to get her a consult NOW that you can’t afford it. What’s going to change later when she has the scarring that’s hard to fix??? This is penny wise pound foolish.

I don’t have the money now.

Tell the plastic surgeon this and they will set up a payment plan for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://childrensnational.org/visit/find-a-provider/michael-boyajian

He only operates on children and his work is exceptional. The nurse told he us often corrects the work of other plastic surgeons.

This. We're fully insured and able to pay, but he's our choice. Very experienced (probably 40 years or so) and Childrens can work with Medicaid. Make an appointment ASAP. If he's not available, ask for Dr. Oh.

[Anonymous]

I was in an accident when I was 16 - got a face full of glass. I did have a plastic surgeon sew up the big cuts but the smaller ones were taped. That was a long time ago - but you can’t even tell that it ever happened unless you look very closely. The only advice I’ll give that hasn’t been given is to stay out of the sun for a full year otherwise the new skin will keep the tan color. Next summer use complete block on the scars. I’m so glad she’s ok and I’m so sorry this is so hard for you. It shouldn’t be.

[Anonymous]

Medicaid should pay for a plastic surgeon if it is medically necessary -- and most likely she has a managed care plan (because Medicaid mostly contracts with managed care plans these days). She may or may not need a referral from her primary care doc, but you can find that out from the plan, and you can look up who is in network on the plan website. If you can't get an appointment with an in-network plastic surgeon, that might be the point to look for someone who would see her for a negotiated fee.

Good luck and I hope she is doing better.

[Anonymous]

Someone that works in this space - not a thing that can be done until the wounds heal. Especially if they were that small, it'll be fine. Once fully healed,, get silicon scar patches. She needs to wear it 24/7 and it'll smother the scars. If there is any hyperpigmentation she can later get lasers to remove either, but yes also wear sunscreen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Medicaid should pay for a plastic surgeon if it is medically necessary -- and most likely she has a managed care plan (because Medicaid mostly contracts with managed care plans these days). She may or may not need a referral from her primary care doc, but you can find that out from the plan, and you can look up who is in network on the plan website. If you can't get an appointment with an in-network plastic surgeon, that might be the point to look for someone who would see her for a negotiated fee.

Good luck and I hope she is doing better.

It is not medically necessary - scars are cosmetic.

Only reconstructive is medically necessary aka the time a plastic surgeon I know put a guy's face back on. He fell over the handle bars of a bike and his face literally came off.