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How to You Feel About Negotiating Fees for a Facelift?

Are you more apt to negotiate a fee with a potential patient for a facelift during this economy? How do you feel if the patient asks you for a slight reduction in costs? What if your practice is stable and you cater to a very elite group, does that affect your fees?

Asked 29 months ago by anonymous57 in San Francisco, CA

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Negotiating Fees

Most established, experienced surgeons will not negotiate fees. It is not wise to shop price. That is not to say that the most expensive is the best, but the cost should not be your most important criteria.

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Richard W. Fleming, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Facelifts or Facial rejuvenation surgery. Facial plastic surgery is in demand even in a tough economy

Discounting the value of professional services, especially surgery, is not good marketing - it is a sign of desperation. The best plastic surgeons are still busy in this contracting economy, and they are not discounting their fees. At the same time, the most expensive surgeon is not necessarily the most talented, so as a consumer you still have to research this carefully. There is much more to consider than just the price in dollars that you pay: is your surgeon actually listening to... more

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Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

It's the only face you've got so don't go for a cheap facelift!

Most surgeons have already reduced their fees as a result of the economy so it is generally not a good idea to "bargain" with their administrative staff for an even lower fee. It will always be the best idea to go to the finest surgeon and save to pay the price for the best surgery. Remember that re-doing a bad job is MUCH more expensive than doing it properly in the first place and the result will never be as good either.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Price should not be an enticement

In terms of our economic times, we are all affected. And the issue of discouting prices is one that can come up now, or at any other time. Most plastic surgeons set their prices on the basis of the value of the procedure and the cost of living in their location. Discounting prices becomes a problem on several fronts. The first is that price should never be an enticement to have an operation. This is bad medicine, and bad decision making. Would you buy a discount parachute? Another... more

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David B. Reath, MD

Knoxville Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tough times

Anon, Indeed, we are living in tough times. However, if you are shopping for a facelift, you are probably not being all that effected by the economy. I individualize my pricing around a general fee schedule based on exactly how much work is to be done. My practices in that regard have not changed as a result of the economic downturn. The buyer must beware that negotiating fees may alienate the surgeon and foster shortcuts during surgery, so tread lightly on fees. Good luck!... more

Kenneth R. Francis, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Negotiating fees for Facelift a bad idea.

Your face is the first thing everyone sees when they meet you. When undergoing a facelift, you are trying to improve what people see. Really good surgeons who can do this reliably set the fee appropriate for their experience and their results, usually based on how busy they are. They are busy because their patients are happy with their results and refer them more patients. Those who are willing to negotiate prices, are generally the ones who you don’t really want cutting on your face.... more

Robert T. Buchanan, MD

Highlands Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

This is a dangerous slope.

Most surgeons who are good at what they do don't negotiate price. You get what you pay for. When surgeons do surgery for less money they may do "faster" and less precise surgery. Though we would like to think this doesn't happen, you see the various types of minilifts cheaply advertised. Go to an experienced facelift surgeon and explain your situation and he may give you a reduction in cost, but not in quality.

Toby Mayer, MD

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Be honest with your plastic surgeon as to what you can afford

You should allow each consultation to go to completion and find exactly what the recommendations are for the best result without the cost. You may be pleasantly surprised that it is within your budget. If it is too expensive, you should ask the surgeon if he can make adjustments both on the techniques he wishes to do as well as the cost so you can have the optimal result. Often the surgeon is looking for perfection, as he should, but it above the patients wishes and pocketbook. Also often... more

Nathan Mayl, MD

Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Fee Negotiation

It is a natural instinct on any purchase for a patient to seek value for services or a product. There are obviously differences between having a facelift versus purchasing a product, such as a television. So the biggest question for patients is what am I paying for in a facelift and am I getting sufficient value for the service: Type of Lift- Surgeons who use more elaborate, anatomically detailed lifts are most likely to be able to provide a superior result.... more

Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

Be cautious of negotiable fees

The very best surgeons do not have to negotiate fees. Surgeons who do not have the experience to perform excellent face and neck lift usually entertain negotiable fees. Most of the excellent facial plastic surgeons today have a very stable practice and are not discounting the fees. Sometimes additional small procedures are added as gratis procedures.

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William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Negotiating Fees

In general, plastic surgeon fees are "non-negotiable". This helps to avoid an awkward dialogue between doctor and patient that can damage the relationship. Also, negotiating fees only serves to "commoditize" what we do and can spark a "price war" among plastic surgeons. However, it is not uncommon for plastic surgeons to offer added incentive during tough economic times. For example, complimentary esthetician services like facial and microdermabrasion, or discounted rates on simultaneous... more

Matthew Schulman, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Negotiating Fees for Facelift in a bad economy

The fees for most surgeons are non-negotiable. However, a lot of surgeons have brought down their fees during this economy. You can look around and get a good deal. However, when trusting your face to someone, you better not make money the most important criteria. Regards

Tanveer Janjua, MD

Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon

Each case is individual

There is no hard and fast rule. It doesn't hurt to ask. However, if a patient pushes the matter too much, I will often feel they are not a good surgical candidate since financial pressures can make a good results look bad to the patient. I might lose interest in having that patient in my practice. A patient must feel comfortable with all aspects of the surgery, including the financial obligations.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Avoid the retail mentality when it comes to your face

Great question. Plastic surgery is not like buying retail, in this or any economy. Like heart surgeons or brain surgeons, we are healthcare providers with an expertise that is not a retail commodity. While you can certainly shop 'til you drop' for a bargain pair of Jimmy Choo shoes, you should avoid this mentality altogether when it comes to your face. Other market forces dictate the cost of a facelift or a rhinoplasty in your area, and trying to haggle with your surgeon is not something I... more

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Randolph Capone, MD

Baltimore Facial Plastic Surgeon

Different financial policies

Every practice is different in the way they handle the financial decisions. In general there is a fair range of price for every procedure that corresponds to the qualification of the surgeon and his training. It is ok to discuss with the patient coordinator your expectations and all the financial details. It is not wise to bring the "cheapest" price in town and try to negotiate it with a high end practice. Hope that helps!

Hisham Seify, MD, PhD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Agree that it is okay to ask about facelift fees

Getting a facelift is not really like buying a used car. There is competition in the market place at the middle and lower end of the market. More accomplished surgeons are generally busy enough that it does not make sense to negotiate fees for surgery. In some cases it is also how this is done. A respectful inquiry is much more likely to be successful than using hard ball tactic of asking for a cash discount or telling the surgeon that their competitor down the street is 30% less. A large... more