Plastic Surgery FAQs Bismarck


Does Dr. Honeycutt do the one-hour “Thread Lift” facelift?

She has not used the proprietary barbed sutures that characterize the Thread Lift; instead she performs a midface lift with hidden scars using a different technique. She has seen before and after results at one year following the Thread Lift at an Aesthetic Society research luncheon. The surgeon used 8 threads per side. The initial early results of the Thread Lift showed swelling after the surgery, and this made the person look younger. But when the swelling went away, there was no change from pre op.

There are probably very few patients who will notice a dramatic improvement. If you are considering the “Thread Lift” ask to see before and after pictures at one year, and ask how many threads will be used. If something sounds too good to be true, ask a lot of questions.

What can I do to permanently get rid of the frown lines on my forehead?

A forehead lift corrects drooping eyebrows, softens creases across the forehead and improves the worried, sad or angry expression that can result from frown lines. Instead of the usual ear-to-ear incision, the endoscopic approach is to make small “puncture-type” incisions just at the hairline. The procedure involves use of an endoscope, which is a pencil-like camera device connected to a television monitor. This procedure restores a more youthful, refreshed look to the area above the eyes. Dr. Honeycutt can perform this less invasive endoscopic procedure in her in-office procedure room at Advanced Surgical Arts Center.

I’ve heard that being Board Certified is an important qualification to consider when choosing a plastic surgeon. How often does a surgeon have to be recertified?

Board certification means that the individual has graduated from an accredited medical school, has completed a plastic surgery residency, has been a practicing plastic surgeon for two years and has passed both oral and written exams.

Board certified surgeons are required to take a recertification examination every ten years and present evidence of participation in educational activities relevant to the maintenance of qualifications in the surgical specialty. Dr. Honeycutt is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, and she recently received notification of recertification in General Surgery by the American Board of Surgery after completing their recertification examination.

Now that summer is coming to an end, must I still use sunscreen?

Sunscreen is a MUST and should be used throughout the year, as UVA/UVB rays can cause skin damage at all times. When purchasing sunscreen you should look for ingredients which include titanium dioxide or zinc oxide because they block the UVA/UVB rays from absorbing into the skin. Many products use transparent forms of these ingredients so they are not visible.

At ASAC we carry a variety of sunscreens from SPF 20 to SPF 60. Some of these sunscreens are specifically designed to be sweat and water resistant. Call our office at 701-530-8450 or 888-430-3223, or stop in to see the sunscreen options we have available.

Top Procedures in the USA

  • Breast Augmentation with 296,203 procedures performed.
  • Nose Reshaping with 252,261 procedures performed.
  • Blepharoplasty (cosmetic eyelid surgery) with 208,764 procedures performed.
  • Liposuction with 203,106 procedures performed
  • Abdominoplasty with 116,352 procedures performed.

Statistics courtesy of AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY (ASAPS).

What can I do for my upper lip which is thinning and has wrinkles above it? I’ve never even been a smoker!

Thinning and wrinkling of the upper lip is a common sign of aging that women in their 30′s and 40′s begin noticing. Sun exposure and smoking can hasten the onset and severity of these wrinkles. You might consider Botox Cosmetic and collagen in combination use in this area. Botox Cosmetic use in the upper lip is an “off label” use, but might increase longevity of the collagen-plumping effect.

I’ve heard when choosing a surgeon and facility for a cosmetic procedure it’s important for that operating facility to be accredited. Are there ongoing requirements for a facility to maintain its accreditation?

Yes, facilities must prove they have maintained accreditation standards and have met any new accreditation requirements imposed since their last accreditation date. The facility staff is also required to have specific medical training and show proof of ongoing educational activities and certifications.

Advanced Surgical Arts Center has been accredited by the American Association for the Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF) since 2003. An annual reaccreditation process is required, and the facility is physically inspected by AAAASF reviewers at least every 3 years. The guidelines and standards for accreditation change each year to ensure the facility maintains up-to-date practices and safety procedures, and the facility must show proof of meeting those requirements. For more information on the AAAASF and their requirements for an accredited facility refer to the “Facility” tab on the ASAC website toolbar.

What are these brown spots I’m getting on my hands & face?

The brown spots are the effects of the sun on the skin. The longer you are exposed to the UVA (aging) rays that penetrate deep into the skin’s dermis (second layer of skin) the more the connective tissue in the skin will break down. The visible signs in the resulting skin changes include brown spots, wrinkles and possible skin cancers. UVA rays remain constant throughout the year, including the winter months. UVA rays are so powerful they can penetrate through glass, including car and office windows. To reduce the incidence of brown spots and wrinkling it is recommended you wear a sunblock with UVA/UVB blockers. Sunscreens containing microfine transparent zinc oxide and titanium will prevent the UVA rays from penetrating into the skin. Zinc oxide provides more protection than titanium.

For a complimentary skin consultation contact Advanced Surgical Arts Center at (701) 530-8450 or (888) 430-3223.

Does diet influence our skin?

Yes, diet does influence skin. Recent studies have shown that some individuals’ skin may be improved when they change their diets by limiting refined sugars and dairy products. Eating the following skin friendly foods may improve your skin’s appearance:

  • Tuna and salmon, which help maintain moisture in your skin
  • Dark leafy greens, broccoli and citrus fruits (sources of vitamin C) which help with collagen production
  • Nuts, which help with skin elasticity because they are loaded with vitamin B6

Avoid touching your face, especially if you have just eaten foods with an oil content. This may cause a breakout. Drink plenty of water to flush the toxins from your body.

Is there a fee for consultation?

The cosmetic consultation fee is $100.00.

If surgery is scheduled within 3 months of the initial consultation, the $100.00 is deducted from the cost of the procedure.

How do I choose a plastic surgeon?

Choosing a plastic surgeon is a very personal decision. To ensure that your surgeon is experienced and qualified, make sure that he or she is member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Don’t be afraid to ask questions like, “How long have you been in practice? Approximately how many times have you performed the procedure I’m considering?” Your surgeon should also participate in continuing education and be well-versed in the most recent treatment innovations.

It’s also important that you feel comfortable with your surgeon. A successful outcome depends not only on surgical skill, but on developing doctor-patient rapport in an atmosphere of trust and support. You should be able to establish a professional relationship with open communication that results in a clear understanding of your expectations, your options and mutual agreement on what course of treatment will be best for you.

Consider the physician’s staff and the facility as well – everyone from the receptionist and clerical staff to the nurses and medical technicians should be working together to make you feel at ease, answer all your questions, and provide not just medical care but caring, in a nurturing and supportive environment.

And finally, ask around. Family and friends who have had similar procedures performed can make recommendations based on their experiences, and doctors, nurses and others in the medical field can also make recommendations based on both professional reputation and first-hand knowledge. You need to feel comfortable with your choice of a surgeon before you can feel comfortable with any decisions regarding surgical procedures you have in mind.

Does insurance ever pay for cosmetic surgery?

Insurance does not cover the costs of elective cosmetic surgery. In today’s environment, almost all surgery must be pre-certified (pre-approved) by the company insuring the patient.
Dr. D’Arcy Honeycutt of Advanced Surgical Arts Center was a featured presenter.

Dr. D’Arcy Honeycutt of Advanced Surgical Arts Center has been a featured presenter at the Annual Hawaii Plastic Surgery Conference conducted by Health Mentor Alliance, Inc. Dr. Honeycutts presentation focused on marketing to women, meeting the needs of your patients, and the art of communicating effectively with patients.
Are gift certificates available for purchase?

We can customize gift certificates for a specific dollar amount, to be used as the recipient desires. Many customized gift certificates are used for payment of a cosmetic consult or cosmetic procedure.

If you want to avoid mall madness and shop from the comfort of your home or office, give us a call at (701)530-8450 or (888)430-3223.

I participate in a FLEX plan. Are the expenses for cosmetic surgery procedures eligible for Flexible Spending Account reimbursement?

Cosmetic procedures and elective cosmetic surgery to improve or enhance appearance are not eligible for FLEX reimbursement. Cosmetic dental procedures such as veneers or bleaching of the teeth are also generally ineligible expenses.

Cosmetic reconstructive procedures necessary to improve a deformity arising from, or directly related to, a congenital abnormality, a personal injury resulting from an accident or trauma, or a disfiguring disease (such as a mastectomy due to breast cancer) may be eligible expenses. The FLEX participant should check with their Flexible Benefits Plan administrator prior to surgery to verify eligible reimbursable expenses.

What is the Patient’s Bill of Rights?

  • Patients have the right to considerate and respectful care.
  • Patients have the right to know by name the physician responsible for coordinating their care. The patient also has the right to know the name of the person responsible for the procedures and/or treatment.
  • Patients have the right to refuse treatment to the extent permitted by law.
  • Patients have the right to every consideration of their privacy concerning their own medical care program. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment are confidential and are conducted discreetly. Those not directly involved in the patient’s care need the permission of the patient to be present.
  • Patients have the right to expect that all communications and records pertaining to their care will be treated as confidential.
  • Patients have the right to expect that within its capacity as an ambulatory surgery center, the center will make reasonable response to the request of a patient for service.
  • Patients have the right to obtain information as to the relationship of the center to other health care and educational institutions insofar as their care is concerned.
  • Patients have the right to be advised if the center proposes to engage in or perform human experimentation affecting their care or treatment. The patient has the right to refuse to participate in such research project.
  • Patients have the right to examine and receive an explanation of their bill regardless of source of payment. They also have the right to know fees for specific services.
  • Patients have the right to know what center rules and regulations apply to their conduct as a patient.
  • Patients have the right to know what provisions the center has for after hours and emergency care.

What are the Patient’s Responsibilities?

  • It is the patient’s responsibility to fully participate in decisions involving their own health care and to accept the consequences of their decisions if complications occur.
  • It is the responsibility of the patient to provide correct information on the patient registration form.
  • It is the responsibility of the patient to provide a complete health history, including allergies, use of tobacco products, surgical history, and current medication.
  • It is the responsibility of the patient to follow pre-operative instructions and to call with any questions or problems.
  • It is the responsibility of the patient to have a dependable adult driver/care giver with them when having a procedure that requires anesthesia or medications that could impair their ability to operate a vehicle.
  • It is the responsibility of the patient to have a dependable adult available to care for them a minimum of 24 hours following a procedure that requires anesthesia.
  • It is the responsibility of the patient to follow the physician’s post-operative instructions.

In the event a patient arrives at Advanced Surgical Arts Center to have a procedure done and the patient has not adhered to their responsibilities, Advanced Surgical Arts Center retains the right to reschedule the procedure. The patient will be informed of any alternative treatment plan and instructed on the importance of maintaining their responsibilities for their own well being.

What is a Privacy Policy?

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES – EFFECTIVE APRIL 14, 2003

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.

PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

If you have any questions about this notice, please contact Advanced Surgical Arts Center, 701-530-8450 or 888-430-3223.
WHO WILL FOLLOW THIS NOTICE

This notice describes the information privacy practices followed by our employees, staff and other office personnel. The practices described in this notice will also be followed by health care providers you consult with by telephone (when your regular health care provider from our office is not available) who provide “call coverage” for your health care provider.
YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION

This notice applies to the information and records we have about your health, health status, and the health care and services you receive at this office.

We are required by law to give you this notice. It will tell you about the ways in which we may use and disclose health information about you and describes your rights and our obligations regarding the use and disclosure of that information.

HOW WE MAY USE AND DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU

For Treatment
We may use health information about you to provide you with medical treatment or services. We may disclose health information about you to doctors, nurses, technicians, office staff or other personnel who are involved in taking care of you and your health.

For example, your doctor may be treating you for a heart condition and may need to know if you have other health problems that could complicate your treatment. The doctor may use your medical history to decide what treatment is best for you. The doctor may also tell another doctor about your condition so that doctor can help determine the most appropriate care for you.

Different personnel in our office may share information about you and disclose information to people who do not work in our office in order to coordinate your care, such as phoning in prescriptions to your pharmacy, scheduling lab work and ordering x rays. Family members and other health care providers may be part of your medical care outside this office and may require information about you that we have.

For Payment
We may use and disclose health information about you so that the treatment and services you receive at this office may be billed to and payment may be collected from you, an insurance company or a third party. For example, we may need to give your health plan information about a service you received here so your health plan will pay us or reimburse you for the service. We may also tell your health plan about a treatment you are going to receive to obtain prior approval, or to determine whether your plan will cover the treatment.

For Health Care Operations
We may use and disclose health information about you in order to run the office and make sure that you and our other patients receive quality care. For example, we may use your health information to evaluate the performance of our staff in caring for you. We may also use health information about all or many of our patients to help us decide what additional services we should offer, how we can become more efficient, or whether certain new treatments are effective.

Appointment Reminders
We may contact you as a reminder that you have an appointment for treatment or medical care at the office.

Treatment Alternatives
We may tell you about or recommend possible treatment options or alternatives that may be of interest to you.

Health Related Products and Services
We may tell you about health related products or services that may be of interest to you.

Please notify us if you do not wish to be contacted for appointment reminders, or if you do not wish to receive communications about treatment alternatives or health related products and services. If you advise us in writing (at the address listed at the top of this Notice) that you do not wish to receive such communications, we will not use or disclose your information for these purposes.

You may revoke your Consent at any time by giving us written notice. Your revocation will be effective when we receive it, but it will not apply to any uses and disclosures which occurred before that time.

If you do revoke your Consent, we will not be permitted to use or disclose information for purposes of treatment, payment or health care operations, and we may therefore choose to discontinue providing you with health care treatment and services.

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

We may use or disclose health information about you without your permission for the following purposes, subject to all applicable legal requirements and limitations:

To Avert a Serious Threat to Health or Safety
We may use and disclose health information about you when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of the public or another person.

Required By Law
We will disclose health information about you when required to do so by federal, state or local law.

Research
We may use and disclose health information about you for research projects that are subject to a special approval process. We will ask you for your permission if the researcher will have access to your name, address or other information that reveals who you are, or will be involved in your care at the office.

Organ and Tissue Donation
If you are an organ donor, we may release health information to organizations that handle organ procurement or organ, eye or tissue transplantation or to an organ donation bank, as necessary to facilitate such donation and transplantation.

Military, Veterans, National Security and Intelligence
If you are or were a member of the armed forces, or part of the national security or intelligence communities, we may be required by military command or other government authorities to release health information about you. We may also release information about foreign military personnel to the appropriate foreign military authority.

Workers’ Compensation
We may release health information about you for workers’ compensation or similar programs. These programs provide benefits for work related injuries or illness.

Public Health Risks
We may disclose health information about you for public health reasons in order to prevent or control disease, injury or disability; or report births, deaths, suspected abuse or neglect, non accidental physical injuries, reactions to medications or problems with products.

Health Oversight Activities
We may disclose health information to a health oversight agency for audits, investigations, inspections, or licensing purposes. These disclosures may be necessary for certain state and federal agencies to monitor the health care system, government programs, and compliance with civil rights laws.

Lawsuits and Disputes
If you are involved in a lawsuit or a dispute, we may disclose health information about you in response to a court or administrative order. Subject to all applicable legal requirements, we may also disclose health information about you in response to a subpoena.

Law Enforcement
We may release health information if asked to do so by a law enforcement official in response to a court order, subpoena, warrant, summons or similar process, subject to all applicable legal requirements.

Coroners, Medical Examiners and Funeral Directors
We may release health information to a coroner or medical examiner. This may be necessary, for example, to identify a deceased person or determine the cause of death.

Information Not Personally Identifiable
We may use or disclose health information about you in a way that does not personally identify you or reveal who you are.

Family and Friends
We may disclose health information about you to your family members or friends if we obtain your verbal agreement to do so or if we give you an opportunity to object to such a disclosure and you do not raise an objection. We may also disclose health information to your family or friends if we can infer from the circumstances, based on our professional judgment that you would not object. For example, we may assume you agree to our disclosure of your personal health information to your spouse when you bring your spouse with you into the exam room during treatment or while treatment is discussed.

In situations where you are not capable of giving consent (because you are not present or due to your incapacity or medical emergency), we may, using our professional judgment, determine that a disclosure to your family member or friend is in your best interest. In that situation, we will disclose only health information relevant to the person’s involvement in your care. For example, we may inform the person who accompanied you to the emergency room that you suffered a heart attack and provide updates on your progress and prognosis. We may also use our professional judgment and experience to make reasonable inferences that it is in your best interest to allow another person to act on your behalf to pick up, for example, filled prescriptions, medical supplies, or X rays.

OTHER USES AND DISCLOSURES OF HEALTH INFORMATION

We will not use or disclose your health information for any purpose other than those identified in the previous sections without your specific, written Authorization. We must obtain your Authorization separate from any Consent we may have obtained from you. If you give us Authorization to use or disclose health information about you, you may revoke that Authorization, in writing, at any time. If you revoke your Authorization, we will no longer use or disclose information about you for the reasons covered by your written Authorization, but we cannot take back any uses or disclosures already made with your permission.

If we have HIV or substance abuse information about you, we cannot release that information without a special signed, written authorization (different than the Authorization and Consent mentioned above) from you. In order to disclose these types of records for purposes of treatment, payment or health care operations, we will have to have both your signed Consent and a special written Authorization that complies with the law governing HIV or substance abuse records.
YOUR RIGHTS REGARDING HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT YOU

You have the following rights regarding health information we maintain about you:

Right to Inspect and Copy You have the right to inspect and copy your health information, such as medical and billing records, that we use to make decisions about your care. You must submit a written request to Advanced Surgical Arts Center in order to inspect and/or copy your health information. If you request a copy of the information, we may charge a fee for the costs of copying, mailing or other associated supplies. We may deny your request to inspect and/or copy in certain limited circumstances. If you are denied access to your health information, you may ask that the denial be reviewed. If such a review is required by law, we will select a licensed health care professional to review your request and our denial. The person conducting the review will not be the person who denied your request, and we will comply with the outcome of the review.

Right to Amend If you believe health information we have about you is incorrect or incomplete, you may ask us to amend the information. You have the right to request an amendment as long as the information is kept by this office.

To request an amendment, complete and submit a Medical Record Amendment/Correction Form to Advanced Surgical Arts Center. We may deny your request for an amendment if it is not in writing or does not include a reason to support the request. In addition, we may deny your request if you ask us to amend information that:

  1. We did not create, unless the person or entity that created the information is no longer available to make the amendment.
  2. Is not part of the health information that we keep.
  3. You would not be permitted to inspect and copy.
  4. Is accurate and complete.

Right to an Accounting of Disclosures You have the right to request an “accounting of disclosures.” This is a list of the disclosures we made of medical information about you for purposes other than treatment, payment and health care operations. To obtain this list, you must submit your request in writing to Advanced Surgical Arts Center. It must state a time period, which may not be longer than six years and may not include dates before April 14, 2003. Your request should indicate in what form you want the list (for example, on paper, electronically). We may charge you for the costs of providing the list. We will notify you of the cost involved and you may choose to withdraw or modify your request at that time before any costs are incurred.

Right to Request Restrictions You have the right to request a restriction or limitation on the health information we use or disclose about you for treatment, payment or health care operations. You also have the right to request a limit on the health information we disclose about you to someone who is involved in your care or the payment for it, like a family member or friend. For example, you could ask that we not use or disclose information about a surgery you had.

We are Not Required to Agree to Your Request If we do agree, we will comply with your request unless the information is needed to provide you emergency treatment.

To request restrictions, you may complete and submit the Request For Restriction On Use/Disclosure Of Medical Information to Advanced Surgical Arts Center.

Right to Request Confidential Communications You have the right to request that we communicate with you about medical matters in a certain way or at a certain location. For example, you can ask that we only contact you at work or by mail.

To request confidential communications, you may complete and submit the Request For Restriction On Use/Disclosure Of Medical Information And/Or Confidential Communication to Advanced Surgical Arts Center. We will not ask you the reason for your request. We will accommodate all reasonable requests. Your request must specify how or where you wish to be contacted.

Right to a Paper Copy of This Notice You have the right to a paper copy of this notice. You may ask us to give you a copy of this notice at any time. Even if you have agreed to receive it electronically, you are still entitled to a paper copy. To obtain such a copy, contact Advanced Surgical Arts Center.

CHANGES TO THIS NOTICE

We reserve the right to change this notice, and to make the revised or changed notice effective for medical information we already have about you as well as any information we receive in the future. We will post a summary of the current notice in the office with its effective date in the top right hand corner. You are entitled to a copy of the notice currently in effect.

COMPLAINTS

If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with our office or with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. To file a complaint with our office please submit it in writing to the Practice Administrator or Dr. D’Arcy Honeycutt at Advanced Surgical Arts Center, 3913 Lockport Street, Bismarck, ND 58503. You will not be penalized for filing a complaint.

Start your journey today.


We believe that all of our patients — women and men — are on a similar journey; to look and feel their best, while living their healthiest and most youthful life. At Advanced Surgical Arts Center, Dr. D’Arcy Honeycutt and her team are standing by to learn more about your unique goals, aspirations and expectations. Contact us today to learn more, or to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Honeycutt.

Your journey begins here.


On behalf of Dr. Honeycutt and the entire staff at Advanced Surgical Arts Center, we thank you for visiting our website and considering our practice to facilitate your unique personal, emotional and aesthetic goals. Our highest priority is to maintain close relationships with our patients, and we consider it a privilege to be a part of their lives. We look forward to learning more about you, and to beginning a journey that will leave you looking and feeling healthy, happy and youthful.

Services & Procedures


Explore our range of services and procedures for both women and men below:

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