The Cost of Cosmetic Plastic Surgery

By Beth Longware Duff

If you're considering cosmetic surgery, cost should be one of the variables you're weighing in your pursuit of ageless beauty.

The costs of plastic surgery vary greatly, depending on the type of procedure and your geographic location. Generally, the costs involved are the surgeon's fee, anesthesia fee, operating room fee and implant fee (if applicable).

According to the newest figures available from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the national averages for plastic surgeon fees in 2009 were:

NOTE: These plastic surgeon fees from ASAPS are national averages and may differ significantly from the prevailing fees in your area. The figures represent physician/surgeon fees only and do not reflect additional fees for the surgical facility, anesthesia, medical tests, prescriptions, surgical garments or other miscellaneous surgery-related costs.

The Variables of Plastic Surgery Cost 

Plastic surgery costs vary based on the treated area or areas. For example, the average cost to have liposuction performed in one area of the body can be up to $4,000, in three areas between $6,000 and $8,000, and in five areas $8,000 to $11,000.

Similarly, the cost is higher for larger body areas. For example, the average cost for abdominal liposuction is $4,000 to $8,000, but liposuction of the outer thigh is about half as much.

Plastic surgery costs also vary depending on overhead costs. The overall average cost of cosmetic facelift surgery, for example, ranges from $6,000 to $15,000. Of that, the cost for anesthesia accounts for between $1,000 and $1,300, and the facility fee (or hospital fee) ranges from $500 to $2,000. The remaining cost is the surgeon's fee.

All fees are not applicable to all procedures, and there are some procedure-specific fees. Laser hair removal cost, as well as the cost for other laser skin procedures, typically does not include overhead fees for anesthesia or facilities because neither is required. But breast augmentation entails a separate fee for breast implants cost that is included in the overall procedure price.

Looking for information about costs for weight loss surgery? Review overview information for weight loss surgery cost or specific information about lap band surgery cost.

Key Questions to Ask About Plastic Surgery Costs

• What is included in the fee? Sometimes the initial quote is for just the surgeon's fee and does not include the anesthesia fee, operating room fee, or any applicable implant fee.
• Are payment or finance plans available?

Sources:
2009 American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Cosmetic Surgery National Data Bank Statistics

American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery website.

[page updated March 2010]