Cost of Cosmetic Surgery

If you want to improve some aspect of your appearance through cosmetic surgery, it is helpful to have some idea of how much the procedure will cost and the payment options available to you before surgery is performed. This gives you time to financially prepare and, if necessary, find the best health care financing plan for your budget.

Knowing your financial obligations upfront not only allows you to make a more informed decision, but it is much better then being surprised by the amount after the procedure has been performed. During the consultation with your plastic surgeon, in addition to discussing your treatment plan and the associated benefits and risks of the procedure, make sure you ask about all the costs involved and how much you can expect to pay.

Although it will only be an estimated cost of treatment based on averages, it will give you a general guide as what to expect. The actual amount you end up paying will not be known until recovery is complete, as any quoted price will not take into account any unforeseen complications or necessary revisions.

The full cost of any cosmetic procedure can vary significantly, between patients, surgeons, and geographical regions. The surgeon’s fee will vary based on: skill, experience, and demand; time and effort needed for surgery; as well as location.

It usually costs more for cosmetic surgery in a big city, such as Pakistan, than in a more rural area. A patient’s overall condition and extent of surgery will affect the cost of cosmetic surgery as well. Expenses to Consider The total amount you end up paying for cosmetic surgery depends on many factors.

The primary expenses to consider are:Plastic surgeon’s fee Hospital or surgery center fees Anesthesiologist’s fee Type of cosmetic procedure Extent of surgery Implants (breast augmentation) Post-surgical compression garments Medications Laboratory tests and x-rays Patient’s overall condition Revisions and follow-up procedures Surgeon Fees for Surgical Cosmetic Procedures The fee paid to the plastic surgeon, which usually accounts for 60% to 80% of the total cost, is one of the main factors involved in determining the overall cost of cosmetic surgery.

When choosing a plastic surgeon, however, the choice should not be based on cost but on expertise and credentials. Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon, which indicates the completion of specialty training in plastic surgery. Although you will usually pay more for a plastic surgeon who is experienced, reputable, and board-certified, you also reduce the risk of surgical complications and increase the rate of having a successful outcome.

The average cost of surgeon fees (not the total cost of cosmetic surgery) for some of the more popular surgical cosmetic procedures in the United States, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery:Arm Lift (Brachioplasty) $3,663Breast Augmentation (Saline implants) $3,544Breast Augmentation (Silicone gel implants) $3,813Breast Lift (Mastopexy) $4,258Breast Reduction (women) $5,429Buttock Augmentation $4,788Buttock Lift $4,664Cheek Implants $2,788Chin Augmentation $2,142Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) $3,063Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) $2,882Face Lift (Rhytidectomy) $6,532Forehead Lift $3,255Hair Transplantation $4,265Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia) $3,409Lip Augmentation (non-injectable) $1,726Liposuction (Lipoplasty:Suction-assisted) $2,868Liposuction (Lipoplasty:Ultrasound-assisted) $2,936Lower Body Lift $7,708Nose Reshaping (Rhinoplasty) $4,277Thigh Lift (Thighplasty) $4,589Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty) $5,263Surgeon Fees for Non-Surgical Cosmetic ProceduresThe average cost of surgeon fees (not the total cost of cosmetic treatment) for non-surgical cosmetic procedures in the United States, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery:Botox Injection $417Chemical Peel $870Laser Hair Removal $373Laser Skin Resurfacing (ablative) $2,341Laser Skin Resurfacing (non-ablative) $845Laser Treatment of Leg Veins $362Microdermabrasion $162Sclerotherapy $329Soft Tissue Fillers: Autologous fat $1,450Calcium Hydroxylapatite (Radiance) $856Collagen, Bovine (includes Zyderm/Zyplast) $397Collagen, Human (Alloderm/Cymetra, Autologen, CosmoDerm, CosmoPlast, Dermalogen, Facian, Isolagen) $490Hyaluronic Acid (Hylaform, Juvederm, Perlane/Restylane) $532Poly-L-Lactic Acid (Sculptra) $1,040Cosmetic Surgery by Age GroupSource: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (2007)Surgeon Credentials and Medical AccreditationCosmetic surgery is not worth jeopardizing your safety in order to cut costs.

Make sure you check a surgeon’s credentials and the medical accreditation of the hospital or medical facility before proceeding with cosmetic surgery. It is important to choose a plastic surgeon that is board-certified in plastic surgery and is experienced in the type of procedure you want performed.

Any medical doctor can perform surgery, but a board-certification indicates that the doctor has completed specialty training in a particular field of medicine. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon may cost more, but it also increases the overall level of safety and success.

It is also important for the surgery to be performed in an accredited hospital or surgery center. Accreditation is awarded to medical facilities that provide sufficient levels of patient care and safety.

A non-accredited medical facility may cost less, but it is usually due to unacceptable patient care or lack of medical resources which reduces patient safety. Health Insurance Coverage for Cosmetic Surgery Cosmetic surgery is not usually covered by health insurance.

Depending on the situation, however, if the surgery is necessary for medical reasons it may be covered by your health insurance. Such situations might include breast reconstruction or a tummy tuck in certain circumstances. If the procedure is being performed for medical reasons, the surgeon should be willing to submit this information to the insurance company for pre-approval.

Cosmetic Surgery Patient Financing Options Healthcare financing can help make cosmetic surgery more affordable for patients who do not have cash on hand or health insurance to cover the expenses. By taking out a loan, the payment amount is broken down into smaller monthly payments over a period of time which makes it more affordable for most people.

If you are interested in knowing more about healthcare financing, two companies that you can search for online are Capital One Healthcare Finance and Care Credit. You may also ask your plastic surgeon about financing options, as they often have arrangements with companies that specialize in loans for cosmetic surgery.