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

1. Verify Lebanese Order of Physicians registration in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery.
2. Confirm hospital privileges at an accredited institution.
3. Ask about complication rates and revision policy in writing.
4. Review at least 10 before-and-after photos of the specific procedure you are considering.
5. 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.