Using PTO for plastic surgery this holiday season? What to know about maximizing your time out of office

Inevitably, there are people who get time off for the holidays, and there are people who have held on to their PTO for dear life only to realize they lose it if they don't use it when the end of the year rolls around. If you aren't into decking the halls and are more into decking yourself out with a new look, now might be the right time to consider using your PTO for that plastic surgery procedure you've been considering so you have a generous amount of time to focus on your recovery.

The idea is more popular than you think. In fact, Kristy Hamilton, MD, calls it the "holiday rush." However, before you run, run, Rudolf out to a plastic surgeon's office, there are a few things to consider when it comes to using your time off for a plastic surgery procedure.

What to know about maximizing your time off for the holidays

Dr. Hamilton knows all about the holiday hubbub!

"Before and around Thanksgiving, Christmas and the holidays in general, patients like to book surgeries because many other industries slow down and they have time off," said Dr. Hamilton.

One of the benefits of using PTO at the end of the year is that patients can often stack their time off next to a holiday to get even more time away from work. This strategy makes it easier to ensure patients have plenty of time to heal and recover from their procedure.

"Many of our patients can manipulate the PTO to their advantage," said Jeffrey Roth, MD, FACS. For example, if you have surgery on a Friday, folks are normally off on Saturday and Sunday, now take five days PTO and are off again on Saturday and Sunday. So, now you have nine days off, but only took five days of PTO, or six if you count the day of surgery."

Simply put, taking PTO days next to weekends and holidays can help patients maximize their time off even more.

Another potential benefit to looking into plastic surgery at the end of the year isn't just about maximizing your time off. It can be about getting more bang for your buck. Many plastic surgery procedures are considered "elective" by insurance companies, meaning they won't cover the costs associated with the procedure, but some are not. Your insurance provider may cover medically necessary procedures, including breast reduction, blepharoplasty and rhinoplasty, in specific situations.

The end of the year can be an excellent time to seek out these medically necessary procedures because you can utilize the holidays and your PTO, and most people have already met their deductible for the year. Insurance helps pick up much of the tab. You may even be able to use funds from a health savings account or flexible spending account to cover other costs associated with your surgery or other qualified medical expenses.

Tips for end-of-the-year plastic surgery

An important tip that can help you maximize your time off during the holiday season is to plan ahead.

"The best advice I can give patients who are looking at the end of the year is to keep in mind that everyone else is thinking the same thing," said Dr. Hamilton. "Those dates in my practice are fully booked six months in advance for the same reason. It will be hard to grab those holiday surgery slots at the last minute!"

Not only do spots at the plastic surgeon's office fill up fast, but hospitals get busier at the end of the year, too, when people have hit their deductibles.

"Even for insurance cases, the end of the year is wildly popular because patients are more likely to have met their deductibles, so the hospitals are busy too doing elective surgery of all kinds," said Dr. Hamilton. "Ideally, they could plan for the holiday season next year and secure their surgery date in advance and then take time off then."

If you want a fresh look for the new year, carefully consider your options and plan accordingly. Talk to your plastic surgeon about your aesthetic goals and your timeline to return to work. Your surgeons can help guide you towards the procedures that make sense. It may be called the holiday rush for a good reason, but you never want to rush the recovery process.

"We stress that taking enough time off is important," said Dr. Roth. "We also see more folks working from home, so that is a good thing."

Make sure you have ample time to recuperate from surgery and the stress of the holidays. If your work offers flexible options, like working from home, take advantage of those opportunities and use your PTO and holiday time. With careful planning and help from a board-certified plastic surgeon who is an ASPS member, now may be the perfect time to trim your tree and trim your waistline. And if you find plastic surgeons are already booked up for the holiday rush, it's not too early to start planning for next year's holiday season!

To find a qualified plastic surgeon for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure, consult a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All ASPS members are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, have completed an accredited plastic surgery training program, practice in accredited facilities and follow strict standards of safety and ethics. Find an ASPS member in your area.