Comparing apples to oranges? Price shopping for plastic surgery proves tricky.

Comparing apples to oranges? Price shopping for plastic surgery proves tricky.

As you may be noticing, cosmetic plastic surgery is truly not just for the rich and famous anymore – and with today’s financing options it becomes easy to see how just about anyone can afford a facelift, Botox, laser peels, breast implants, and any other procedure surgery available.

However, when price shopping, make sure you understand that a low price may equate to substandard service, poor quality materials or other corners being cut. A lower price may also simply mean you aren’t comparing apples to apples.

Surgeons concerned with quality, safety, and minimizing your risk will likely perform surgery in a surgical environment… not in an exam room with less than sterile surroundings. The cost of surgery will vary based on your needs and the complexity of your desired procedure. The cost is also comprised of different elements, including:

• Surgeon’s Fee – which will vary based upon the complexity of your case and the length of time your case will take.
• Facility Fees – whether your surgeon prefers a hospital surgical suite or a free-standing, outpatient surgical center, the surgical staff expects to be paid for their work and the facility for its space – which may cost $600-900 per hour.
• Anesthesia Fees – when a licensed professional is contracted to administer anesthesia, just like the facility staff, he or she expects to be paid – which may be $200-350 per hour.
• Material Fees – though all procedures require a certain amount of suturing materials, medications, dressings and other standard materials, some procedures require “extras” like implants, cosmetic fillers, and non-standard materials that may be billed separately.

Your surgeon may ask you to pay each of these individually or combined but be aware that somebody will be asking you for the money they have earned. It’s only logical… and it’s only fair… but some practices may not tell you about these other fees and you’re sure to get a surprise either on the day of surgery or shortly after when you get a bill by mail.

Is there really such a thing as SCARLESS cosmetic surgery? Is Scar-LESS an acceptable option?

Is there really such a thing as SCARLESS cosmetic surgery? Is Scar-LESS an acceptable option?

In recent years, many of us have accepted that an eyelift or facelift could be the right procedure for our aging faces… but with so many readily available options has it become acceptable to have tell-tale cosmetic surgery scars?

If I were among the millions of Americans who want to look years younger without publicly advertising their little beauty secrets to the world, one of my first concerns would be having highly visible scars in front of my ears or along the lower eyelash line.

My next concern would probably be the price difference between a well-hidden, skillfully placed incision and the ½ inch slash some surgeons make in front of the ear. Understandably there is a significant trade off.

While I can’t claim to perform “scarless” surgery, I can assure you that incisions I place inside of the ear, mouth or eyelid, and within the hairline will be far more attractive in comparison to more standard techniques. Even your hairdresser will have difficulty figuring out your secret!

If you weren’t concerned about your appearance you wouldn’t be considering cosmetic enhancement… so why do I see so many unsightly scars from botched surgeries performed elsewhere? And, why do I find myself asking why seemingly intelligent people make such poor decisions? Do your homework – PLEASE!