How can I finance a mommy makeover?

Question

I'm curious about financing a mommy makeover. Does credit need to be outstanding? How much is too much for a mommy makeover and how much is not enough? I'm also looking in southern California area as well. I'm also giving myself one full year of consistent exercise before I schedule plus it gives me time to research details. I want to be in good shape because I think it will help with recovery as well...thoughts?

Mariam Awada, MD, FACS · Answer

Different PS accept various payment options.  Care Credit seems to be a frequent finance option that patients choose although there are others worth investigating.  However, always make certain that you are not exchanging one headache for another as the worst stressors are financial.  You can always take your time and make gradual payments until you have completed it or finance a part of it and not all of it.  Just be comfortable with what you choose to do and understand how much more it ends up costing you if you choose to finance.

Michele DeVito, MD, FACS · Answer

Many of the other answers address outside financing options such as Care Credit and Alphaeon. Sometimes these options have limitations with what your line of credit can be used towards. I have had multiple discussions with my colleagues pertaining to this topic and have learned many surgery centers and anesthesia groups will not accept these two financing options as a valid method of payment, thus limiting how much you can finance with their plans. 
There is another financing option my office accepts called Prosper Healthcare Lending. They start approving at a credit score of 640. Checking your rate with Prosper will not affect your credit score as they run a soft credit check. If approved, they will provide you with several offers which will specify different financing amounts, interest rates and loan durations. You can choose to approve one of the offers or do nothing at all. If you proceed with accepting an offer a representative will be notified and will reach out to you to verify banking information as well as a few additional items. Once these items have been verified, the funding process is initiated and funds are provided directly to you. Our patients love this option as they can finance the entire cost of the procedure, including, but not limited to, surgeon’s surgical costs, operating room and anesthesia fees. Prosper’s interest rates are pretty reasonable. The lowest interest rate I have seen is 3% with the average high around 14%-15%. 
Occasionally, I will have patients tell me they were unable to get approved with outside financing options, express having difficulty saving money and would like to make scheduled payments towards surgical costs. For my practice and many of my colleagues this is an acceptable option for those who are serious about moving forward with surgery. We do have stipulations with proceeding this way and require all fees be paid prior to the scheduled surgery date. Continue to do your due diligence and ask potential plastic surgeons what their financial policies are. Good luck and please try not to get discouraged. – Dr. Michele DeVito

Farah Naz Khan, MD · Answer

You definitely want to be as close to your ideal body weight as possible prior to surgery so you get the best possible surgical results. Financing is often done via CareCredit so make sure you see a couple board certified plastic surgeons to get an idea of what procedures you will need to get the results you are looking for. Once you know how much the entire mommy makeover will cost, you can apply for CareCredit and see how much financing you are eligible for. Best of luck in your endeavors!

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your excellent question.  Financing is a possibility for a mommy makeover and various agencies exist for coverage of cosmetic procedures, including CareCredit and United Medical Credit.  Most plastic surgeons have this financing available for use in their offices.  Cost will vary based on geography as well as the extent of surgery involved, so it is difficult to give an accurate estimate, but it would be wise to have multiple consultations performed to have a better sense of costs in the S. California region.  As far as exercise, that is an excellent approach. Reaching your goal weight, one that you are comfortable at, and can maintain, will lead to the best long term results.  Best of luck on your journey!

David J. Wages, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  It is reassuring to see that you are doing your homework early.  I would start with a face to face consult with a Board Certified Plastic
Surgeon who has experience in these areas. During your visit your surgeon
should be evaluating your health to determine if you are a good surgical
candidate and examining your tissues to get a sense of what type of procedure
your tissues will allow. Only with a hands on exam can this be determined. During your exam your surgeon can help you decide what you will need to achieve your desired goals.  This will impact the cost of surgery(how much surgery you need).  Fees can then be discussed based on your goals.  There are many financing options available and your surgeon should be able to help you research options for you.  Once
an exam and opinion is rendered then you can decide if surgery is right for
you. Good luck.

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

Congratulations on your decision to have a mommy makeover. It's a great idea to get in shape ahead of time. This will help you recover more quickly. Also, obtaining a weight that you are happy with prior to surgery helps your result be long-lasting.Many plastic surgeons offer financing options. There are specific cosmetic surgery financing programs, but also many patients elect to obtain a loan from their bank.Costs vary from surgeon to surgeon. The cost should include the surgeon's fee, operating room fee, and the fee for the anesthesiologist. The most important thing is not the cost, but your comfort with the relationship that you have with your surgeon and how well they have explained their decision-making process, the surgical options, expected outcomes, and recovery. Consider several consultations. You should be able to move through the process with confidence.Good luck with the process.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

It's a great idea to be as close to your ideal body weight as possible and have a good nutrition and exercise routine in place to help you maintain your results after surgery.  Many board certified plastic surgeons will accept various financing companies and may be able to get you contact information for them.  Companies like CareCredit and PatientFi specialize in medical financing.

Ronald Levine, MD · Answer

There are financing options offered by surgeons. The financing company pays off your surgery for you, and then you make monthly payments to the financing company. These payments can be just a couple hundred a month. My patients and I haven't had any problems dealing with the financing companies we've dealt with (Crelogix, Credit Medical). You don't need good credit.

John J. Edney, MD · Answer

Cosmetic surgery can be a life changing event.  In order to fully enjoy the benefits you must also feel comfortable with the financial obligations.  Traditionally the cost of cosmetic surgery is paid "up front" meaning before the procedure is performed..  In order to meet this financial obligation a patient can either save up for it in advance or use some type of credit.  Many practices will allow patients to pay with credit cards.  If a patient's credit is not ideal occasionally a family member will either lone them the money or cosign a loan with them.  Other options include utilization of some type of credit designed specifically for cosmetic surgical patients.  There are several different companies that provide loans for cosmetic surgery.  The interest rates for these types of loans are usually higher than a conventional lone because it is unsecured.  Unsecured means that the lender has nothing they can take back' such as a car or a house' if a person fails to make the payments.  Although there are many companies who make these type of loans two of the most popular lenders seem to be CareCredit and Prosper.  Our patient's have had a good experience with both of these programs. Another popular company is Alpheon.  These type of lending companies allow you to make your application over the Internet and provide an answer  quickly.  It is important however to find out beforehand  whether their inquiry will effect your credit score.  Some companies have what is called a "soft inquiry" which will not affect  your credit score.  When considering a loan company such as these it is very important to understand the terms of the lone and the differences between different lending programs.  Some of the questions that you should ask when comparing different lenders are: What are the amounts available?  How long are the terms good for?  What are the interest rates  and do they change? Is the money funded directly to the doctor or the patient?  What are the transaction fees.?  Will the interest rate and monthly payment change during the life of the lone?  Are there any pre-payment penalties?  Will all treatments, procedures, medications and associated costs such as travel and lodging be covered.  Each company is a little different.  You should be careful in selecting the one that best fits your particular situation so that your financial obligation does not interfere with the potentially life changing experience of your cosmetic surgical procedure.

Derby Sang Caputo, MD · Answer

You can check great financing options like Care Credit etc. They will give you a realistic payment plan based on your budget. Best of luck

How can I finance a mommy makeover?

Answers (14)

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