Over the last few years, the cost of plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures has come down, making the reward of a more positive self image and better sense of self esteem accessible to more and more people.
When researching the cost of a procedure, it’s important to remember that an average price is typically the surgeon’s fee which compromises most, but not all of the final cost of a procedure. The average price of a procedure will generally differ from surgeon to surgeon and typically varies based on patient needs and the region where the procedure is performed.
An average price will not include various fees associated with the procedure such as lab fees, anesthesiologist fees, surgical facility and operating room fees, and any hospital fees. In addition, average prices don’t include additional costs for things like prescriptions, exams and consultations, after care or other miscellaneous fees. When discussing the cost of a procedure with a plastic surgeon, it’s important to find out which of these associated fees or costs, if any, are included in the surgeon’s estimate.
Plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures are also considered “elective” procedures and most insurance plans will not cover a procedure that is not for reconstructive or corrective purposes due to illness or injury. In most cases, surgeons will work out a payment plan and patients may be eligible for financial options such as those provided by services like CareCredit and E-Medical Lending.
The price of a cosmetic surgery procedure can also be affected by a patient's medical condition, any past surgeries they may have had, the length and complexity of the procedure and whether or not the procedure is combined with any other procedures, as with a Total Body Lift. Minimally invasive procedures such as BOTOX treatments are less expensive than more complex surgical procedures such as a Facelift.
It is wise to choose a surgeon based on many factors, not just on pricing. You should feel comfortable with a surgeon and confident that he or she will keep your satisfaction, your safety and your best interests in mind, and give you the personal care and attention necessary for achieving the best results.
Average Costs for Plastic and Cosmetic Procedures
Below are some average prices. Pricing may vary depending on your surgeon and geographical location:
| Cosmetic Surgical Procedures | |
| Breast augmentation (Augmentation mammaplasty) | $3,816 |
| Breast implant removals (Augmentation patients only) | $2,380 |
| Breast lift (Mastopexy) | $4,236 |
| Breast reduction in men (Gynecomastia) | $3,400 |
| Buttock implants | $4,722 |
| Buttock lift | $4,711 |
| Calf augmentation | $3,206 |
| Cheek implant (Malar augmentation) | $2,332 |
| Chin augmentation (Mentoplasty) | $1,936 |
| Dermabrasion | $984 |
| Ear surgery (Otoplasty) | $2,549 |
| Eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty) | $3,134 |
| Facelift (Rhytidectomy) | $5,031 |
| Brow "Forehead" lift | $3,092 |
| Hair transplantation | $4,543 |
| Lip augmentation (other than injectable materials) | $1,604 |
| Liposuction | $2,982 |
| Lower body lift | $8,073 |
| Nose reshaping (Rhinoplasty) | $3,833 |
| Pectoral implants | $3,769 |
| Thigh lift | $4,464 |
| Tummy tuck (Abdominoplasty) | $5,264 |
| Upper arm lift | $3,574 |
| Cosmetic Minimally-Invasive Procedures | |
| Botox | $501 |
| Cellulite treatment | $196 |
| Chemical peel | $744 |
| Laser hair removal | $503 |
| Laser skin resurfacing | $2,222 |
| Laser treatment of leg veins | $400 |
| Microdermabrasion | $283 |
| Sclerotherapy | $342 |
| Soft Tissue Fillers | |
| Calcium hydroxylapatite (Radiesse) | $807 |
| Collagen | $394 |
| Fat Transfer | $1,489 |
| Hyaluronic acid (Hylaform, Hylaform Plus, Restylane, Juvederm) | $598 |
| Polylactic acid (Sculptra) | $1,128 |
Source: American Society of Plastic Surgeons http://www.plasticsurgery.org/