I'm being quoted $1,500 dollars for Exparel. Does that seem reasonable? Is there a cheaper generic available?

Question

I was quoted $1,500 for Exparel by the board certified P.S. I'm considering having a TT with at a surgery center. The $1500 is an addt'l cost just for the exparel alone, not for any part of the surgery itself. This seems exorbitant based on other quotes I've gotten and info I've found online. The Dr's office insists they don't mark the price up at all. Could that possibly be true? What do you charge for exparel? Is there a cheaper, generic, long-acting local that I could ask them to use instead?

William Bruno, MD · Answer

The cost of Exparel from the company directly is about $310 per vial, which is the amount used for a tummy tuck. Not sure why you were quoted $1500.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

John J. Corey, MD · Answer

I agree… It seems excessive I do use expert out on a routine basis and I found it far more effective than the OnQ pain pumps I was using and less hassle. One vial of 20 mL is about $350 and then I  mix it with 80 mL of saline. That gives me a total of 100 mL and I inject 50 mL into the muscle on each side of the midline.  My patients are extremely comfortable for about four days plus or minus.  And in reality the cost is about the same as the pain pump was and it works much better.  maybe your doctor is not diluting it ???

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Exparel is indeed pricey esiecially if you need a lot of it.  Personally I've never used it or found the need in tummy tucks.  I do inject marcsine which is like exparel but only lasts 12 hours,  but it's basically free so you might ask about that.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,Dishonesty is a pet peeve of mine.  If that's the way this surgeon wants to start a relationship with you, you should think twice about proceeding. He's marking up a product that has debatable improvement in pain reduction over cheaper anesthetics by about 500%. Best of luck!

George Marosan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The price they quoted you for the Exparel is over 3x its cost. As a plastic surgeon in private practice, I have been using Exparel almost for 5 years now. The manufacturer charges us about $400/vial of 20cc, which I dilute up to 40-60cc and inject it during my abdominoplasties. There's no generic Exparel. If your surgery is done in a large ambulatory center or hospital, maybe they have a markup.

I'm being quoted $1,500 dollars for Exparel. Does that seem reasonable? Is there a cheaper generic available?

Answers (10)

Answer: Price Gouging

Answer: Price Gouging

Answer: I'm being quoted $1,500 dollars for Exparel. Does that seem reasonable? Is there a cheaper generic available?

Answer: I'm being quoted $1,500 dollars for Exparel. Does that seem reasonable? Is there a cheaper generic available?

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I'm being quoted $1,500 dollars for Exparel. Does that seem reasonable? Is there a cheaper generic available?

Answers (10)

Answer: Price Gouging

Answer: Price Gouging

Answer: I'm being quoted $1,500 dollars for Exparel. Does that seem reasonable? Is there a cheaper generic available?

Answer: I'm being quoted $1,500 dollars for Exparel. Does that seem reasonable? Is there a cheaper generic available?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.