Reconstructive vs. Cosmetic Plastic Surgery: What's Covered in Lebanon
Plastic surgery is a single specialty with two arms: reconstructive, which restores form and function after disease, trauma or congenital differences, and cosmetic, which improves appearance of normal anatomy. The distinction matters financially.
Reconstructive — usually covered
- Breast reconstruction after mastectomy for cancer.
- Burn scar revision and contracture release.
- Cleft lip and palate repair.
- Hand surgery after trauma.
- Skin cancer excision with flap or graft.
- Post-bariatric body contouring (often partial coverage).
NSSF, MoPH, private insurance and the army cooperative all cover reconstructive procedures with medical justification. Prior authorization in writing is essential — get it before scheduling.
Cosmetic — out of pocket
Rhinoplasty for aesthetic reasons, breast augmentation, facelift, liposuction, blepharoplasty without functional impairment — all paid by the patient. Lebanese plastic-surgery pricing is competitive regionally; that has attracted medical tourists from the Gulf and the diaspora.
Choosing the surgeon
- Verify Lebanese Order of Physicians registration in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery.
- Confirm hospital privileges at an accredited institution.
- Ask about complication rates and revision policy in writing.
- Review at least 10 before-and-after photos of the specific procedure you are considering.
- Avoid "guaranteed result" promises — biology does not guarantee.
Second opinions
For major reconstructive surgery, a second opinion from a different hospital is reasonable and usually welcomed by the first surgeon. For complex breast reconstruction, multidisciplinary tumour-board decisions are now standard at academic centres in Beirut.