What can be done for my daughter's face?

[Anonymous]

I was in a similar accident as a senior in high school. I second the recommendation to see a plastic surgeon.
I had a bad cut and was stitched up by a plastic surgeon and had to use corticosteroids and silicone gel after the wound healed. I couldn't leave the stitches in more than a couple of days because of the secondary scars from the sutures themselves, so they took alternate sutures off and made me use surgical tape closures for a couple of weeks afterwards.
This was at a time when we didn't have access to all this stuff on the Internet! I am now in my early 40s and the scar is still invisible for the most part except when my eyes crinkle up when I laugh or smile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please take her to a plastic surgeon now. I am surprised the ER didn't call one in.

I think they didn't call a plastic surgeon because she didn't need stitches and she has Medicare so I doubt they would pay for one.

OP is this you? If so, just call Medicare. (Medicaid?) to ask if they’ll cover a plastic surgeon. But surely they’ll cover a consultation with a dermatologist. The dermatologist can determine whether a plastic surgeon is needed.

I'm sure plastic surgeon would accept $200 or $300 cash for a consultation for scar prevention for a child in emergency situation.

It'll probably take me until the end of the month to gather that much extra money. That's why I only want to go to a plastic surgeon as a last resort. If it'll heal on its own, that's best.

[Anonymous]

OP, I am reluctant to post a doctor recommendation without my having firsthand knowledge of the person, but I just googled "washington d.c. low income plastic surgeon" and the first hit that popped up is a D.C. area a plastic surgeon who does pro bono humanitarian work so it is possible if you call her office they may have some wallet-friendly advice/suggestions for you.

[Anonymous]

Also reluctant to say, but when my kid had plastic surgery on his face the surgeon recommended silicon patches (at CVS, etc, called ScarAway or similar) and sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen when outside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last week she was in a bad car accident involving a tree. A lot of glass cut her face, and the ER used medical glue, not stiches. She is healing, and I promised her if she doesn't heal I will get her a consult with a plastic surgeon, but so far here is what we are doing:

- more medical glue for the cut at the corner where her lips meet (it falls off)
- she knows to stay out of the sun and not cover up the cuts with makeup until they've healed
- she has Bio Oil for when the cut is closed and scarring

Is there anything else I can get her? A coworker just told me teens are into The Ordinary but I don't know what any of those potions do exactly.

Plastic surgeon now. We used Mark Domansk in Fairfax and he was good.

There is something he can prescribe to help with the scarring that is better than Bio Oil, but there may still be scarring. Keeping out of the sun in crucial. My poor kiddo wore a bandaid on her forehead for months.

The good news is that she's young and the scar will fade. I have a scar above my lip that I got in 4th grade. It is not noticeable to people now unless I point it out.

I would also likely take her to a dermatologist after she is healed to see if there's anything that can be done to lessen any scarring.

Last, not to freak you out, but my cousin was in a bad car wreck as a young woman - glass everywhere. Pieces of glass embedded in her skin and worked their way out over a matter of months. It was freaky.

[Anonymous]

https://childrensnational.org/visit/find-a-provider/michael-boyajian

He only operates on children and his work is exceptional. The nurse told he us often corrects the work of other plastic surgeons.

[Anonymous]

If this was a car crash, who was responsible? Was there a police report? If there's insurance, it's possible that your daughter's medical costs would be paid.

So step one may be to see an attorney. This is the kind of case a personal injury lawyer might be willing to take on a contingency--translation, you only have to pay the attorney if there is a settlement or verdict.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please take her to a plastic surgeon now. I am surprised the ER didn't call one in.

THIS

[Anonymous]

Get on the phone and start calling every plastic surgeon in the area. Someone will see your daughter pro Bono, or with some sort of compassionate arrangement. Call everyone from private practice to university hospitals. If you are in the dc area, call children’s, Georgetown, GW, drive to Hopkins if you have to. Don’t worry about the money now. This isn’t a self-pay hip replacement. It won’t be astronomical. But the window to prevent permanent damage is closing and you need a professional, not tips on the Internet. Worst case scenario, you pay out of pocket and work out a payment plan or put it on whatever credit cards you can. But you have to start calling, and be candid about what you need and what you can pay. Someone will help you, I promise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please take her to a plastic surgeon now. I am surprised the ER didn't call one in.

I think they didn't call a plastic surgeon because she didn't need stitches and she has Medicare so I doubt they would pay for one.

OP is this you? If so, just call Medicare. (Medicaid?) to ask if they’ll cover a plastic surgeon. But surely they’ll cover a consultation with a dermatologist. The dermatologist can determine whether a plastic surgeon is needed.

I'm sure plastic surgeon would accept $200 or $300 cash for a consultation for scar prevention for a child in emergency situation.

It'll probably take me until the end of the month to gather that much extra money. That's why I only want to go to a plastic surgeon as a last resort. If it'll heal on its own, that's best.

Can you use a credit card? Sell old gold jewelry for cash at one of those money and gold exchange places? They pay by the gram or ounce.

[Anonymous]

It's best to prevent scar from forming.

[Anonymous]

Aloe Vera Gel is good for healing scars - I used it on large cuts and smaller abrasions to heal scars after coming off a motorcycle. It is 100% natural - you can find it at pharmacies or on amazon. There are lots of choices and it's not expensive.

But I do agree you should consult with a plastics specialist.

Hang in there, I know it's scary when your child has been in an accident. It sounds like she is doing well.

[Anonymous]

I would see a plastic surgeon ASAP and not wait for poor healing. It should be $200-$300, but it’s worth it. Go in person if possible.

Wounds heal best moist. Put vaseline on it as it heals and cover with bandages, even if that means a lot of them. Once it heals, start using silicone sheets. Rejuveness are the best because they’re really thin , but they’re ex-expensive. They also have them at the drugstore.

Ask a plastic surgeon to confirm this though and add anything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If this was a car crash, who was responsible? Was there a police report? If there's insurance, it's possible that your daughter's medical costs would be paid.

So step one may be to see an attorney. This is the kind of case a personal injury lawyer might be willing to take on a contingency--translation, you only have to pay the attorney if there is a settlement or verdict.

Nobody was responsible - her boyfriend was driving at night, when it was misty out, the road was slippery and he lost control going around a turn and they slammed into a tree. There's nobody to sue. If anyone was responsible it was her boyfriend, but it was an accident. Nobody was drinking or high, he wasn't on his phone, they were both wearing seatbelts. He's just an inexperienced driver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this was a car crash, who was responsible? Was there a police report? If there's insurance, it's possible that your daughter's medical costs would be paid.

So step one may be to see an attorney. This is the kind of case a personal injury lawyer might be willing to take on a contingency--translation, you only have to pay the attorney if there is a settlement or verdict.

Nobody was responsible - her boyfriend was driving at night, when it was misty out, the road was slippery and he lost control going around a turn and they slammed into a tree. There's nobody to sue. If anyone was responsible it was her boyfriend, but it was an accident. Nobody was drinking or high, he wasn't on his phone, they were both wearing seatbelts. He's just an inexperienced driver.

He’s still responsible, because he’s the driver. You should still make his insurance pay.