Cosmetic surgery's impact on a your self-esteem can be priceless. But the procedures themselves come with a price tag--one that varies substantially by region, the experience and skills of the surgeon, and the type and extent of the procedure. The important thing to remember is that you shouldn't skimp on an aesthetic procedure that can have substantial implications for your health.
Types
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery tracks the number of plastic surgeries completed each year by type of procedure. The ASAPS reports that the most common procedures, in order, are liposuction (the removal of fat from various areas of the body), breast augmentation (implants to enlarge the breast), cosmetic eyelid lifts and rhinoplasty, also known as nose jobs. Each type of surgery comes with a different cost range.
Liposuction
According to Liposuction.com, a directory of plastic surgeons who perform this procedure, the average cost to remove fat from upper and lower abs is $3,000 to $7,500. If you want to trim fat from your tush, it will cost you $1,500 to $4,500. A narrower waist and hips will set you back $1,600 to $5,000. The ranges are wide because if you're a bigger patient, it will require more time and effort to remove excess fat.
Breast Implants
Implants are not created equal. If you opt for saline, on average, it will cost nearly $3,700. Silicone implants, on the other hand, average about $400 more than saline ones, according to ASAPS. Keep in mind that this figure doesn't include expenses associated with post-op garments, prescriptions, staff fees and lab tests.
Eyelid Lifts
At Surgery.org, a compilation of statistics collected by the ASAPS on the average costs of cosmetic surgeries, you'll find that eyelid lifts to "wake up" your eye cost $4,000 on average. The low end of the scale is rougly $1,500, while $7,000 is at the other end of the cost spectrum. Surgeon's fees alone average $2,500, and facility fees and anesthesia cost another $1,500.
Nose Reshaping
If you're on the market for a new nose, expect to pay about $4,200. If the work you need done is extensive, however, you could be charged up to $8,000, reports Einstein Industries, a medical information company.
Warning
Basing your decision on price alone is a bad idea. Seek quality first. Fixing a botched plastic surgery job can cost you far more in the long run. You may have to pay to finish an incomplete surgery or to redo a procedure that left behind scars or caused disfigurement.
