Plastic Surgery Cost and Financing

Plastic surgery costs are often high, usually soaring to more than several thousand dollars. The cost of plastic surgery can be intimidating, especially if you're on a tight budget. Luckily, plastic surgery financing can make plastic surgery more affordable in many cases.

The Cost of Plastic Surgery Procedures

In 2006, plastic surgery physician fees in the United States totaled a staggering $11.36 trillion. This number doesn't count for anesthetist fees, operating room fees or hospitalization costs or materials. The number covers only surgeon fees.
 
When calculating the cost of plastic surgery procedures, you must account for every expense in order to get an accurate estimate.
 
Plastic Surgery Average Costs
Plastic surgery costs vary widely according to procedure:
  • breast augmentation: $6,000
  • breast lift: $5,200
  • eyelid surgery: $4,000
  • face lift: $8,500
  • lip enhancement: $2,000
  • liposuction: $3,500 per area
  • male breast reduction: $5,200
  • nose job (rhinoplasty): $4,500
  • tummy tuck (abdominoplasty): $6,400

Low-Cost Plastic Surgery

Some surgeons advertise low-cost plastic surgery. While low-cost plastic surgery may be tempting, prospective patients should be cautious.
 
Often, so-called low-cost plastic surgery quotes only the surgeons fees. A good surgeon should outline the total cost of plastic surgery, not just his fees.
 
Just like any other business, you get what you pay for. Low-cost plastic surgery could save you money, but the results may not be up to your standards. Is low-cost plastic surgery worth the risk of a botched face lift or surgical scarring?

Plastic Surgery Insurance

Medical coverage may include plastic surgery insurance to offset the cost of plastic surgery. However, do not make the mistake of assuming plastic surgery insurance covers cosmetic surgery.
 
Plastic surgery insurance will cover only the cost of plastic surgery for medically necessary reasons. A badly scarred accident victim would be able to claim plastic surgery insurance from his medical coverage. However, a person wanting breast augmentation or any plastic surgery for aesthetic reasons would not be able to make an insurance claim.
 
The line separating cosmetic and medically necessary plastic surgery is often unclear. If you do have plastic surgery insurance, check with your provider before scheduling or having surgery. If a medical reason can be claimed for the surgery, plastic surgery insurance may cover a portion of your expenses.

Plastic Surgery Financing

The cost of plastic surgery is generally high. If full payment was required all at once, in most cases, only the wealthy would be able to afford plastic surgery.
 
Fortunately for those of us who aren't wealthy, plastic surgery financing is available. Plastic surgery financing is usually offered by financial companies who specialize in plastic surgery loans.
 
Depending on credit ratings, plastic surgery financing loans have interest rates ranging from 5.99 percent to 27.99 percent. The lower rates are reserved for borrowers with excellent credit who have taken out previous loans with the plastic surgery financing company.
 
Plastic surgery financing may provide loans for the entire cost of plastic surgery or may provide some extra funds to add to the patient's existing savings. Either option is acceptable to plastic surgery financing companies.
 
Be aware that not all plastic surgeons accept payment through plastic surgery financing. During initial consultations, patients should explore the possibility of plastic surgery financing with specific surgeons.
 
Resources
 
American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (2007). Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Costs. Retrieved August 15, 2007, from the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Web site: www.cosmeticplasticsurgerystatistics.com/costs.html.
 
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (2007). 2006 Average Surgeon / Physician Fees: Cosmetic Procedures. Retrieved August 15, 2007, from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Web site: www.plasticsurgery.org/media/statistics/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID=23761.
 
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (2007). Insurance Coverage: A Patient's Guide. Retrieved August 15, 2007, from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Web site: www.plasticsurgery.org/patients_consumers/planning_surgery
/insurance_coverage.cfm.
 
Financing Plastic Surgery (n.d.). Frequent Questions about Plastic Surgery Financing. Retrieved August 16, 2007, from the Financing Plastic Surgery Web site: www.financing-plastic-surgery.com/financing-faq.cfm.