The costs can be a significant burden if you are considering cosmetic surgery. You may need to save for years or take out a loan, which can create crippling debt.
If you do not have the financial resources to pay for plastic surgery, ask your surgeon about financing options. This can help you keep the cost down and improve your chance of a positive outcome.
Costs
The cost of a plastic surgery procedure depends on many factors, including the surgeon’s fee, operating room charges, anesthesiologist fees, implants, and post-operative garments. The best way to get an accurate estimate is to visit a Bellevue plastic surgeon for a cosmetic consultation.
In the United States, prices vary wildly between surgeons and cities, with some charging top dollar. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience and a high level of certification and credentials is important.
Additionally, a surgical procedure can have associated medical expenses that must be paid out of pocket. These include medication, travel and lodging, and additional costs incurred in addition to the cost of the plastic surgery procedure.
Insurance
The answer to the question, “Does my insurance cover the cost of my plastic surgery?” depends on several factors. For instance, whether the procedure is purely cosmetic or more reconstructive.
Some reconstructive procedures, like blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) or ear pinning (otoplasty), may be partially covered by health insurance.
However, in many cases, if surgery is purely cosmetic and not medically necessary, it will not be covered by insurance. It will, however, be covered if the procedure is medically necessary to improve the function of the body part in question.
Financing
Financing is an essential part of the plastic surgery experience, and it can help you cover the costs without resorting to debt. However, it is important to consider the various options and weigh your financial situation before deciding on which method of financing will work best for you.
Often, a doctor or other provider may offer a payment plan that splits the cost of your procedure into monthly instalments. These plans can be particularly helpful for patients who cannot afford the entire procedure cost at once.
Other financing options include personal loans or medical credit cards. These types of loans are often used to pay for cosmetic procedures that your insurance does not cover, as well as for deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs.
Complications
While plastic surgery is generally safe, complications can happen – even in the best hands. They can include haemorrhage, bruises, seroma formation, nerve damage causing sensory or motor loss, infection, scarring and blood loss.
These complications can have a significant impact on your recovery and health. A healthy dialogue between you and your surgeon is so important.
You can minimize your risk by choosing a board-certified doctor who performs the procedure frequently and takes certain precautions before and after. For instance, quitting smoking and eating a nutritious diet can speed healing and minimize scarring.
One complication in 1 percent of breast augmentation surgeries is haemorrhage, a pocket of blood that looks like a large bruise. It’s also common after facelift procedures and is often treated with additional surgery to drain the blood.
Recovery
Recovery is critical to your plastic surgery experience, affecting how well you look and feel after the procedure. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to help speed up your recovery time and maximize your results.
A plastic surgeon can offer much guidance about the best methods for speeding up recovery following your procedure. These tips can range from how much to avoid exercise and other strenuous activities to when it’s safe to return to your routine of work and training.
It’s also important to follow your doctor’s instructions for avoiding pain medication and keeping your incisions clean. Taking the time to do these things will help your body heal properly and prevent complications.