Hi there,
It is very difficult to predict what costs for a surgical procedure might be, as they depend on many variables. What I hope will help you is to give you an understanding of these variables, so that you can make the decisions that you think are in your best interests.
The surgeon's fees will depend on the surgeon's training and experience, as well as their reputation. Because our work product is a professional service and not a manufactured item (the quality of which should be expected to be the same at any store at which it is sold), and because surgeons are individual human beings with different levels of training, experience, and demand for our services, fees will vary.
Generally, as with anything else, you should expect to get what you pay for. While excellent value in plastic surgical care is available in the current economy, some of the worst outcomes I have seen have been in patients who shopped for a low price, ended up very unhappy, and then came to my office for revisions- a penny wise and pound foolish approach.
There is also a geographical component, with some areas of the country being associated with higher fees.
Your bottom line will also be affected by the fees charged by the facility your surgeon uses, and by the anesthesia provider. Some facilities are more expensive than others, as are some anesthesia providers. Again, you are probably going to get what you pay for.
Here are the questions to ask:
- Are you a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon?
- Where will the procedure be performed?
- Who will provide anesthesia?
- Where did you go to medical school, and where did you do your plastic surgery training?
- How many of these procedures have you personally done?
After asking these questions, and with an understanding of what I've outlined above, you should be able to find the combination of expertise and price that is comfortable for you.
I hope that helps.
