Average Cost of Plastic Surgery

There are a lot of factors that influence the final cost of a cosmetic procedure including the geographic location where the surgery is performed, the surgeon's level of expertise as well as the type of procedure to be performed and if any other procedures are performed at the same time. One aspect of cosmetic surgery that patients need to be aware of is the fact they will probably have to pay for the procedure out of pocket. Insurance normally doesn’t cover the cost of cosmetic surgery because it is considered to be an elective surgery and not a medically necessary procedure.

Average Prices of Major Cosmetic Procedures

Although the prices of cosmetic procedures vary depending on factors discussed in the next section, their final cost is still expected to fall within a general range. All cosmetic procedures have a national average. These average prices were issued by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in 2015. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery conducted extensive research on the subject and issued a comprehensive report listing several procedures and the costs patients can expect to pay for them:

Liposuction – The total cost of liposuction depends on the body parts and the amount of work done by the surgeon. The average cost of the surgery is around $3200-$4000.

Breast Augmentation – The average cost of breast augmentation runs between $3500 and $4000 and depends on the type of implant being placed.

Eyelid Surgery – The cost for eyelid surgery, also known as blepharoplasty, runs an average of $3000-$3700 but it could cost more if other surgeries such as a brow lift are performed in addition to the eyelid surgery.

Nose Surgery – Some of the costs of rhinoplasty might be covered by insurance if the procedure is considered medically necessary to help improve the ability of the patient to breathe. The typical cost of the procedure is around $5000-$10,000.

Facelift – A facelift is one of the most expensive cosmetic surgeries due to the extensive nature of the work that is performed. It costs an average of $7300-$10,000.

Laser treatment - Laser treatments are used for several cosmetic procedures including skin resurfacing, laser vein treatment and tattoo removal. Lasers can be ablative or non-ablative. The typical cost for laser procedures ranges from $300-$500 per treatment. For the best results, a series of 3-6 treatments that are spaced 4-6 weeks apart are needed.

Labiaplasty - Labiaplasty is a procedure that reduces the size of the labia minora. The procedure involves the use of a scalpel or a laser. The procedure can be done using two major techniques and they are the trim or wedge technique. The typical cost for a labiaplasty procedure ranges from $3000-$8000 depending on the treatment used and the amount of work performed.

Tummy Tuck - A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that utilizes a C-section type incision to remove excess tissue from the lower abdominal skin while tightening the muscle. This cosmetic surgery makes use of a shorter incision located just above the pubic region. The average cost ranges from $4500-$6000.

Scar removal - There are various procedures that can be used to remove scars. They include prescription creams, ointments, gels, fillers, dermabrasion, laser treatment and surgical removal treatments like skin grafts or excision. The typical cost for scar removal procedures ranges from $1500-$4000.

Factors in the Final Cost of Cosmetic Procedures

As mentioned earlier in this article, the final cost of a cosmetic procedure depends on many different factors including:

The fee charged by the physician to perform the surgery - This is one of the fundamental factors that play a role in the determination of the final cost of a cosmetic procedure. The surgeon's level of expertise and experience is important in determining the amount the surgeon will charge. The higher the level of expertise and experience, the higher the fee.
Anesthesia fees - For procedures that involve the use of an anesthetic agent, the cost of the anesthesia is factored into the final cost of the procedure.
Staff in the operating room assisting with the surgery - Procedures carried out by well-established clinics or practices are likely to be more expensive than those done by smaller practices. In bigger clinics, a lot of hands are involved in delivering the best services and these staffs don't work for free.
Facility fees - This is also a major factor that is considered when calculating the total amount a procedure will cost. Procedures that involve the use of heavy or high-end equipment are usually more expensive than those that don't require much equipment.
Surgical implant fees - For procedures that involve the use of implants, the cost for the actual implants are factored into the total cost of the procedure.
Hospital fees – There are fees for the patient if an overnight stay is required. When a patient stays overnight following a procedure, the final cost of the procedure is relatively higher compared to when the patient doesn't stay at the clinic.
Post-op medications - The cost for post-op medications are also considered when calculating the final cost of a cosmetic procedure. Post-op medications are a crucial part of any procedure as they help to prevent complications after the surgery.

Consult with a Board-Certified Doctor

Before making the final decision to have cosmetic surgery, patients should consult with a board-certified doctor to determine if they are a good candidate for the procedure. The doctor can also give patients an idea of how much the surgery will cost so patients can determine if they can afford the surgery.