Select Page

Q: I was wondering if it is in my best interest to not only compare the surgeons’ ability but does the cost vary from practice to practice for the same procedures? A: There are many factors that go into plastic surgery pricing. Overhead costs vary by location and type of practice. There are some areas of the country where the cost of doing business is high – like Manhattan and LA for instance. It is more expensive to operate a medical practice in those areas than in some other areas of the country so those practices tend to charge more. Surgery tends to be more expensive to perform in hospitals than in outpatient or office based surgery centers. The other factor that goes into pricing is the surgeon’s skill and experience. Everyone has a budget so I understand the need to factor cost into decision making when selecting a surgeon. However, this is a very important decision and I don’t recommend using price as the sole factor. Look for a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in your procedure of interest.

Q: I was wondering if it is in my best interest to not only compare the surgeons’ ability but does the cost vary from practice to practice for the same procedures? A: There are many factors that go into plastic surgery pricing. Overhead costs vary by location and type of practice. There are some areas of the country where the cost of doing business is high – like Manhattan and LA for instance. It is more expensive to operate a medical practice in those areas than in some other areas of the country so those practices tend to charge more. Surgery tends to be more expensive to perform in hospitals than in outpatient or office based surgery centers. The other factor that goes into pricing is the surgeon’s skill and experience. Everyone has a budget so I understand the need to factor cost into decision making when selecting a surgeon. However, this is a very important decision and I don’t recommend using price as the sole factor. Look for a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in your procedure of interest.

Q: I was wondering if it is in my best interest to not only compare the surgeons’ ability but does the cost vary from practice to practice for the same procedures? A: There are many factors that go into plastic surgery pricing. Overhead costs vary by location and type of practice. There are some areas of the country where the cost of doing business is high – like Manhattan and LA for instance. It is more expensive to operate a medical practice in those areas than in some other areas of the country so those practices tend to charge more. Surgery tends to be more expensive to perform in hospitals than in outpatient or office based surgery centers. The other factor that goes into pricing is the surgeon’s skill and experience. Everyone has a budget so I understand the need to factor cost into decision making when selecting a surgeon. However, this is a very important decision and I don’t recommend using price as the sole factor. Look for a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in your procedure of interest.

Q: I am considering breast augmentation and have thoroughly researched the potential complications (hematoma, infection, cc, etc). I also understand that most insurance companies do not cover medical complications associated with cosmetic surgery. Is there anything that plastic surgeons typically offer or something I can purchase in order to minimize any financial expenses that could potentially result from a complication?

A: This is a wonderful question. You are to be congratulated for realizing that cosmetic surgery is indeed surgery and does carry risks. Complications can occur – even in the hands of a skilled surgeon. You are right that many health insurance policies will not cover complications of cosmetic surgeries. In my office, I enroll all my patients in CosmetAssure. This is a health insurance that covers most hospital charges in case you need to be admitted to the hospital after your procedure.