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A common worry that patients have when deciding whether or not to have plastic surgery is how much their procedure will cost. And this is important to consider as this is a “make-or-break” deciding factor for some.
But one of the most frustrating things for patients when they begin researching the cost of cosmetic surgery is that there is never one straightforward answer. That is because there are many different variables that make up the overall plastic surgery cost, including the different types of surgeries and treatments available.
Below is information to better help you understand what goes into your cost breakdown if you are planning to undergo any type of body contouring procedure (or combination of procedures).
What Goes Into the Cost of Plastic Surgery?
As nice and simple as it would be to have your plastic surgery options available to you on a menu, where each procedure and treatment has a set cost, that just isn’t the case.
While there are general guidelines that can be used to get a ballpark figure of what your body surgery cost will be, it is vital that you schedule a consultation with your plastic surgeon to find out what price you can expect for your procedure.
However, as you decide on your own plastic surgery journey, it is important to understand that the price of a plastic surgery procedure includes multiple different aspects of your surgery.
These include the following:
Anesthesia Options
Whether your plastic surgeon uses local anesthesia, twilight anesthesia (IV sedation), or general anesthesia affects the cost of your procedure.
General anesthesia will cost more than local anesthesia because it is stronger and requires more monitoring and care, since you will be put under completely. However, this type of sedation is necessary for many body contouring procedures for your complete safety, which is the number one priority.
Facility Fees
Facility fees include any and all medical materials and drugs used during the actual surgery, along with the cost of using the actual facility itself. While this price is usually fixed for many hospitals and surgery centers, the cost may increase from additional materials needed for specialized surgeries, including facial or breast implants.
Surgical Fees
The surgical fees (surgeon’s fees) can best be understood as your plastic surgeon’s labor cost. Each plastic surgeon has a set price that they charge for their services and expertise. However, it is not just the plastic surgeon who makes up the surgical fees.
The cost of having the nurses and anesthesiologist present is also included in this price. This means that the length and extent of the procedure influences the pricing.
Location
Like any economics course will teach you, supply and demand factors into the price of a service, including plastic surgery. If there are competing plastic surgeons in a particular area, the costs may be less than in a location where there is only one plastic surgeon.
However, something else to keep in mind is that you are paying for the experience and expertise of your plastic surgeon, so it is important that you don’t just go with the more affordable option. Instead, use your consultation to really decide if that plastic surgeon is the right fit for you.
Pre-op Appointments and Post-op Dressings
You will be having several trips to your plastic surgeon’s office, from your consultation until after your results have fully developed.
This includes all pre-op appointments, where your health is evaluated and the particular procedure(s) is planned out, and all post-op appointments, such as follow-up appointments to remove sutures, check in to see your recovery progress, and answer any questions you may have.
Additionally, post-op dressings, such as compression garments, may be required for your recovery. All of these particulars add to the final cost of your surgical procedure.
Combining Procedures
Body contouring procedures, like many plastic surgery options, can be performed individually or combined.
There are benefits to both. If you undergo a single body contouring procedure, such as body lift surgery, a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), or liposuction surgery, your recovery will be specific to only one part of your body. This means that you will not be sore and swollen all over. And on a cost level, you will only be paying for one surgical procedure.
However, by combining procedures, like with a Mommy Makeover, your total recovery time will be less than if you had each individual procedure performed, one at a time, with weeks or months in between, and your total cost will be lower than with multiple separate procedures because you will only be paying for things like anesthesia, facility fees, and surgical fees once.
In the end, it is a personal decision that each patient must make for themself. At your consultation, Dr. O’Toole will give you various surgical options as well as a detailed cost estimate for the different procedures.
Interested in Starting Your Plastic Surgery Journey?
If you are interested in body contouring, give Dr. Martin O’Toole or Dr. Adam O’Toole a call at (626) 449-8910 or fill out the online form here.