How much does a local anesthesia cost vs a general anesthesia in NYC?

Question

I have had a breast augmentation in Miami last year by a renowned surgeon and the general anesthesia was around $500 per hour. One of my friend is getting a chin lipo under local anesthesia in NYC and the price of the local anesthesia alone is $1200. The chin fat is only minimal and she was told that the surgery will not last more than one hour. Is $1200 for a local anesthesia a bit high? Thank you! Sarah

Ram Kalus, MD, FACS · Answer

The term "local anesthesia" generally implies that the surgeon is injecting a local anesthetic. I am not aware of a custom of charging a separate fee for this portion of the procedure, which most plastic surgeons simply consider part of the surgical procedure. General anesthesia, on the other hand, requires the additional expertise of another physician who is a board certified anesthesiologist, or a nurse anesthetist who has the knowledge and skills to administer intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. That said, there are many geographic variations in what is considered "usual and customary". In my own practice, local anesthesia is never charged for separately, but when general anesthesia is used, there is indeed a fee for the services of that physician or nurse anesthetist. I think most of us would agree that a fee of $1200 for the anesthetic alone indeed seems unusual. Your friend can and should discuss her concerns, even if they are financial, with her surgeon. With regard to any specific treatment, a consultation in person with your selected board certified plastic surgeon will include a discussion about which anesthesia method is best for you. I hope this information is useful to you.

Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Surgical and anesthesia costs do vary from one geographical area to another.  Local anesthesia refers to a procedure where your surgeon will be injecting numbing solution.  General anesthesia is where you would have an anesthesia doctor administering medication to allow you to sleep through the procedure.  Best to seek care with board certified physicians.  Good luck.

Farhad Rafizadeh, MD · Answer

I perform all my facial procedures including facelift, eyelids, brow lifts, and neck liposuction under local anesthesia with moderate sedation which is administered by a nurse who follows my orders. I don’t charge anything for this service as I consider it as part of my operation. Local anesthesia is also used to minimise bleeding during surgery thus it is necessary even during general anesthesia. In some cases because of patient’s medical condition or if they want to have heavy sedation an anesthesiologist is called in and they would charge for their services separately. We usually offer this choice to patients, but I definitely prefer a local anesthesia under my control with less sedation and no extra cost to patients.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  The cost of anesthesia depends on the type of anesthesia used and if a board-certified MD anesthesiologist is administering it.  For local anesthesia, $1200 does seem high.  I recommend asking for more details.   Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Robert M. Tornambe, MD · Answer

Sarah, that sounds a bit high. The advantage of local anesthesia  is significant cost reduction and removal of the need to have someone accompany the patient home after surgery. Smaller procedures, like liposuction of the neck, are routinely done under just local anesthesia.  Ask your friend to request an itemized cost analysis for her upcoming surgery. The $1200 may also include use of the operating room. If any doubt, seek a second opinion from a board-certified plastic surgeon. Best of luck.

Samuel Beran, MD · Answer

The professional fees of anesthesiologists certainly varies widely by geographic area.  Generally speaking we divide anesthesia into 3 categories.
Local anesthesia - this is an injection of an anesthetic just like at the dentist.  An anesthesiologist is usually not required.Monitored anesthesia care( also called local with sedation) - in this case an IV is placed and you are still breathing on your own.  An anesthesiologist is usually present.General anesthesia - you will be asleep and an anesthesiologist will be with you.

Christine Blaine, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Sarah and thank you for your question.  The price for anesthesia (local and general) will vary by location and surgeon/anesthesiologist.  I would agree with some of the other surgeons who have replied in that $1,200.00 for only the local anesthesia to be administered seems a little high.  I would recommend that your friend discuss her pricing concerns with her Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.  I wish her the very best.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Fees will vary for many different reasons. The fee under local may include the facility fee which includes staff and supplies.  As your surgeon.

How much does a local anesthesia cost vs a general anesthesia in NYC?

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