“For every person who has undergone a cosmetic procedure, there are at least two more who would like to.” So says J.P. Faber, the editor of a magazine about to be launched called “New You.” With its clearly stated mission to promote cosmetic surgery and encourage people who are considering it to “take action tomorrow,” it’s wise to look at the new publication by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons with a critical eye.
Still, it’s probably safe to say that there are more people considering surgery than there are people who actually take the plunge. According to J.P. Faber, one of the leading obstacles is the high cost.
I’m not a physician and therefore can’t offer medical advice to anyone considering surgery. But I do have several years of experience writing about elective procedures, including dozens and dozens of patient and surgeon interviews. From that standpoint, I truly enjoy sharing what I’ve learned along the way.
About the cost of cosmetic surgery: There’s no denying that the price tag can be eye-popping. In fact, when you add up the various charges—surgeon, facility, anesthesiologist, meds and more—the procedure you’re considering may well cost more than you think.
Don’t stop at the direct costs, though. The bottom line will include some outlays associated with preparation. You’ll need a physical and some routine blood work at minimum. If your chosen surgeon is not close to home, you may be paying transportation and lodging bills. For your recovery period, you might need special food, garments or other purchases to ensure your comfort.
Given all these costs, some people understandably look for plastic surgery deals. Don’t be one of them. The Internet is filled with stories of people who are sorry they chose an under-qualified provider to save money. For a surgeon who’s board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, an accredited surgical facility with state-of-the-art equipment and a physician-anesthesiologist, you can expect to pay a good sum of money. But your safety and satisfaction are worth it.
Also think hard before flying to another country. For one thing, you may not be saving as much as you think you are if you add up all the costs related to traveling. More importantly, if you’re one of the small percentage of patients with a problem, you won’t want to be in an unfamiliar setting far from home.
Financing plastic surgery is a viable option for some people, but again you should think this through. Consider whether you’ll really feel ok about paying for a procedure long after the results have settled in.
If you’re thinking about rhinoplasty to fix a nose hump you’ve hated for years, you’ve done your homework and feel confident in your choice of surgeon, you’re willing to pay $5000 - $10,000 (depending largely on your location) and you’ve saved at least part of the money, maybe financing the rest of the cost is the way to go. If you can look yourself in the mirror and know that a year or five years down the road you will still be thrilled with your new look and happy you moved forward, then look into financing.
If you don’t honestly feel this strongly about surgery, try setting a goal to save more of the cost of the procedure before you make the final decision. If you follow through, that might be an indication that you’re ready to take on surgery and an extended payment commitment. If not, well, you might want to rethink your priorities.
Want to bet money on how soon J.P. Faber’s “New You” magazine will feature an article on how easy it is to finance plastic surgery, then? I didn’t think so!