Reconstructive surgery, Need help..

Hi everyone,

I have been on these forums for a while but just finally registered on the board.

I am going to be getting some re constructive surgery done on my face soon.

I had a few questions and need some advice before I go ahead with the procedure.

I don't have a social security number and they need one on the patient form. What should I do or tell the doctor or how should I go about explaining my legal situation to the doctor and/or staff?

Is it even possible for me to get surgery under these circumstances? I have worked hard and saved up enough so I am going to be able to pay for it out of my pocket.

Is there any cautionary steps I should take before hand?

I am getting this done within the next two months so any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks

I can't tell you about surgeries, but I know for a fact that regular doctors don't care at all about your legal status. Furthermore, they can't report you due to doctor-patient confidentiality.

Assuming that surgeons operate the same was as other doctors, you don't need to explain your status at all. As long as you pay the amount that they bill you, there should be no problems.

Learned something new, Thanks for your reply.

Another question I have is that a lot of facial surgeons do their surgeries in regular public hospitals, is that a concern on my side?

Anyone else have any word of advice? I am going in for a consult next week.

When filling up the patient form should I leave the Social security space blank? I know for a fact that if I do that whoever reviews the form is going to ask me for it. What should I tell them?

I am kind of nervous going in to this. Again any help will be much appreciated.

Yes, leave it blank. If they ask, tell them the truth. You don't have a social security number and that's it. Doctors are not ICE and have no reason to question you.

Good luck on your surgery.

like stated before just leave it blank..
i personally had had multiple surgeries, with no problems. i just had one recently and the surgeon were pretty cool at longest you're paying, there should be no problem. if they really need a number use your tax number i done it before.

There are a lot of rich european tourists that come to USA just to have cosmetic surgeries. I doubt any of them have social security. You can even tell him you are a tourist or something.

I don't think they would really care for your status. I mean, as long as they're getting paid it shouldn't make a difference to them. as one of the posters said doctors are not ICE silly.