Be all the DD you can be in the Army . . . and Reserves

[BaliBabyDoc]

CNN

The New Yorker magazine reports in its July 26th edition that members of all four branches of the U.S. military can get face-lifts, breast enlargements, liposuction and nose jobs for free -- something the military says helps surgeons practice their skills.

Hmm, how often would a military surgeon need to do lipsuction? Even rhinoplasty seems like a stretch b/c reconstructive is not truly interchangeable with cosmetic.

If they need practice why not donate their time to do procedures on Medicare/Medicaid recipients and the uninsured? How about Operation Smile?

 

[3chordcharlie]

Hey don't knock it - if it's not for fake boobs, then what is America fighting to protect?

I'm sure this is actually much more reasonable than it sounds, or at least I hope it is.

 

[BDawg]

They have to practice to become / stay board certified.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

Originally posted by: BDawg
They have to practice to become / stay board certified.

True, but it doesn't make sense for the military to maintain such a specialty. It's nearly impossible to see a board certified child psychiatrist in the military . . . and don't tell me Army brats don't need psychiatrists. One of my colleagues spent 6 months in Afghanistan providing psychiatric care to troops. Obviously, they are dipping into the Reserves for these skills b/c for some odd reason they don't have enough active duty psychiatrists. Granted, I know the pay sux and deployments to Central Asia are unlikely to be strong recruiting tools.

There are a myriad of ways (many of which substantially benefit society) to hone reconstructive surgery skills and maintain certification.

Lipo and breast augmentation are a crock of poo. I wonder if they do tucks and calf implants as well?

 

[CaptnKirk]

Well Roger, we did have to amputate both of your legs,
but on the bright side, we gave you a really nice pair of tits.

 

[MAW1082]

If the surgeons are practicing their skills for free that is one thing, but if the US Military is paying them for their services then that is quite another story.

 

[Spencer278]

Originally posted by: BaliBabyDoc
CNN

The New Yorker magazine reports in its July 26th edition that members of all four branches of the U.S. military can get face-lifts, breast enlargements, liposuction and nose jobs for free -- something the military says helps surgeons practice their skills.

Hmm, how often would a military surgeon need to do lipsuction? Even rhinoplasty seems like a stretch b/c reconstructive is not truly interchangeable with cosmetic.

If they need practice why not donate their time to do procedures on Medicare/Medicaid recipients and the uninsured? How about Operation Smile?

I'm sure the army doesn't really care about a surgons ablilty to do cosmetic surgury. The doctors working for the army care because they will only be with the army for a few years before they go and set up there own pratice to really rake in the cash.

 

[burnedout]

Obviously, they are dipping into the Reserves for these skills b/c for some odd reason they don't have enough active duty psychiatrists.

"They", meaning DoD, has utilized reserve medical skills extensively for decades now. Reserve augmentation increased obviously because of OIF. Historically however, reserve doctors have filled vacant billets for active-duty physicians on leave.

Next, this represents an added "benefit" for troops and their families desiring such treatment. Critics bitch and scream about troops getting the proverbial shaft from "teh eval neo-cons". Here is another benefit, albeit limited to a select group, that was previously unavailable.

Furthermore, it's my understanding that in conjuction with Tri-Care, the HMO plan for DoD, not all of the treatment will be performed by military physicians. Family members, if enrolled in the plan, likely have the option of using civilian providers for boob enlargement.

 

[CanOWorms]

Maybe they need some experience in plastic surgery for when people survive explosions, fires, etc. It doesn't seem like they'd have much experience in it during peacetime.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

Originally posted by: MAW1082
If the surgeons are practicing their skills for free that is one thing, but if the US Military is paying them for their services then that is quite another story.

I have friends that served as dentists, psychiatrists, internist, and surgeons in the military. All but one is now working outside the military . . . he went to Annapolis so his service is something like 7 years after finishing residency. I have a feeling he's planning career.

If I had needed money for school (ugrad or med school), I probably would have considered their program. It's pretty generous considering you can leave school without any debt. But like I said everyone that's gone through these programs (that I know) leave immediately after fulfilling their commitment. Government pays your medmal, too but yeah the pay sux as well.

On a different note, liposuction and breast augmentation are not legitimate means of practicing general surgical skills. Now fixing cleft palates/lips, re-attaching limbs, and general surgery are appropriate forms of "practice". Since these MDs are already compensated by the military (US taxpayer) why not put them to work in underserved areas? I guarantee you they will get plenty of practice without wasting precious resources giving Lynndie England a set of high beams.