Facial Surgery Cost

If you've done much research on any kind of cosmetic surgery, you've probably found that most doctors and sites are extremely hesitant to give you any real numbers involving the price. Partly this is just a marketing ploy-it's standard practice for any retailer trying to sell a big-ticket item to hold off on mentioning the price until they've already sold you on the product. Partly, though, the problem is that the cost of almost any cosmetic surgery varies dramatically depending on a lot of factors. Surgeons and sites are reluctant to give you a number because they're afraid to scare you off with a high price when yours could be much lower, or entice you in with a low price and then have you cry, "Foul!" later if your actual price ends up being higher.

What Factors Influence Facial Surgery Cost?

So just what factors are involved in determining the cost of cosmetic surgery, and facial surgeries in particular?

The first thing is exactly which surgery you're getting. "Facial surgery" is a blanket term that covers a wide array of different procedures, some of which are much more expensive than others. The price for something relatively simple, such as eyelid surgery, can be as low as $2,000, while the cost for a much more involved procedure designed to correct fundamental flaws with a patient's jawline can be as much as $40,000.

Even once you've determined what kind of facial surgery you want, there is still quite a bit of variation in price depending on how you want to have it done. If you want to get lip augmentation, for example, you can find some injections that will temporarily plumpen your lips for $300 or less. A full-blown surgery for implants or a top-of-the line fat transfer, or the other hand, can be as much as $5,000.

Your cost for a given surgery will also depend on where you are to start with-how big of a change you're trying to make. If two different people each get the exact same procedure, they'll like end up paying different prices for it because of the natural differences between their two bodies. One woman may need only a short and simple tweak to make her nose look exactly like Jennifer Aniston's, while for another it may require the breaking of multiple bones and the insertion of fillers to achieve the same effect.

The surgeon you choose also plays a big role in how much your surgery will cost. The better and more experienced a surgeon is, typically the more he will charge. For some people, especially if they have very limited budgets or are only trying to make a simple change, a cheaper surgeon is more appealing, but others prefer paying more upfront for a very good surgeon to help ensure they get it right the first time, and to avoid the risk of needing follow-up procedures to correct the mistakes of the first one. In general you want to get as good of a surgeon as you can afford.

Be forewarned, however, that there are other factors than just your surgeon's skill that will affect how much he charges. Doctors operating out of bigger cities tend to be in higher demand, and thus will charge more. A doctor's overhead also affects your bottom line-if his clinic is located somewhere where land values are high; if he advertises aggressively in the media; if he offers lots of perks to prospective patients, than he probably has to charge more. Occasionally, some surgeons even make the risky decision to charge more for their services solely to try and convince people that they're the superior choice, even if in reality they're no more skilled than the average for their area. One last thing to be aware of is that the total price for a facial surgery is usually made up of a number of smaller bills. You have to pay for the surgeon's time, but you also have to pay for the facility or hospital space in which your surgery will take place, attending nurses or anesthesiologists, medications and medical supplies, and pre- and post-op visits. Some surgeons include all these costs in one bill, but other do not, so if your surgeon offers you a price that seems suspiciously low, double-check to be sure that you won't be billed separately for those other bills.

How Much Do Facial Surgeries Typically Cost?

So now you know that facial surgery costs vary quite a bit, and you know why they vary. But at facialsurgeryguide.com, we understand that sometimes you just really want a best-guess estimate of the price, so you can make an informed decision about whether or not a certain purchase will fit into your budget. With that in mind, we've compiled the following list of ballpark prices for some of the most common types of facial surgeries:

• Blepharoplasty, or surgery of the eyelid, will typically cost between $2,000 and $3,000 for a procedure that only targets the upper or the lower eyelid; a surgery that covers both lids will probably be at least $4,000 or even more.
• Neck lifts typically cost somewhere between $5,000 and $8,000.
• Rhinoplasty, or surgery of the nose, has a huge price margin depending on what you're trying to accomplish. Expect to see prices anywhere from $3,000 for a very simple procedure up to $15,000 for total reconstruction.
• Orthognathic surgery, which aims to repair moderately to severely malformed jaws, can be very expensive, frequently ranging between $20,000 and $40,000. The good news is that of all facial reconstructive surgeries, this one is the most likely to be covered by insurance.
• Otoplasty, or surgery of the ears, will probably range from about $2,000 at the low end up to around $7,000 at the top.
• Jaw augmentation procedures typically cost somewhere between $2,000 and $7,000 as well, depending on what kind of augmentation you choose.
• Facial liposuction which removes fatty deposits in the face, will probably cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $2,500 to $6,000.
• Cosmetic chin surgery is a little pricier. Depending on the specifics of your surgery, it could cost you as little as $4,000 or as much as $10,000.
• A face lift is another procedure with a dramatic price range. Different surgeons will promise different things, but in reality, you could spend anywhere between $2,000 and $25,000, depending on your particular circumstances, on the surgeon you pick, and on the type of face lift that you choose.
• Cheek reduction usually costs somewhere between $2,000 and $5,000.
• A brow lift is commonly priced somewhere between $4,000 and $7,000.
• Lip augmentation prices will vary greatly depending on the technique used. It can cost as little as $300 or as much as $5,000.
• Cheek augmentation typically costs somewhere between $2,000 and $5,000.

What Are the Hidden Costs of Facial Surgery?

So far, we've been focusing on the surgery itself and all of the things that go into it, but before you can completely decide whether or not you can afford facial surgery, you should at least consider the hidden costs. Even if your surgeon includes all of your separate medical bills under one lump sum payment, there are still some other things that will affect your budget.

First of all, you'll probably have to take some time off work. If you're a salaried employee and have some vacation days saved up, this might matter less, but if you work for an hourly wage you should take into consideration the money you'll lose during your recovery.

Medications are another potential cost. Some facial surgeries, such as liposuction, are low impact enough that a few days of an over-the-counter painkiller will be enough, but for others you may need something stronger. You may also need to take a painkiller. In addition, some facial surgeries require special braces or dressings that you will have to buy.

You also may find that some of your other routine expenses go up during your recovery, whether it's more theater or rental movies to take your mind off the pain, more take-out food so you don't have to cook, or additional help with childcare or housework.

How Can I Get A Better Estimate For My Facial Surgery?

Once you've decided that you do really want the surgery, and figured that it is at least possible you can fit it into your budget, the next step is to get a better estimate, tailored to your body, desires, and circumstances. You do this with a consultation. Nearly all cosmetic surgery clinics offer free consultations to prospective clients. This not only gives you a chance to meet the surgeon, see his qualifications, and ask any questions you might have about the procedure, but it also allows you to talk money. You can tell him exactly what you want done, and he can give you some specifics about how much the surgery will cost for you.

If you would like a consultation but don't already have a specific doctor in mind, the surgeon locator tool on this website can help you find facial surgeons in your area.

How Can I Pay For Facial Surgery?

If you want facial surgery but are not fortunate enough to have several thousand dollars just lying around, there are some options.

The first thing to do is to check with your insurance company and see if they will cover any of the cost. While insurance rarely approves cosmetic surgery, they may if you have an underlying medical condition that necessitates it. For example, rhinoplasty can help with sleep apnea and some other breathing problems, and orthognathic surgery can repair cleft palettes and other birth defects. Similarly, many facial surgeries are used reconstructively after car accidents and other trauma, and these may be covered by your insurance as well. While you certainly can't count on coverage, it never hurts to ask.

Secondly, consider saving up for it. Of course, if you're getting the surgery reconstructively to fix a disfigurement, saving may not be worth it, but in most cases it's actually the best solution. Having that much self-discipline is difficult, but many people find it's empowering to prove to themselves that they can save up for a major purchase such as cosmetic surgery. Also, waiting a year or two to earn money before you get the surgery can save you a lot-you don't have to pay interest on a financing plan, you don't have to worry about a sudden job loss or sickness affecting your ability to make the payments, and you can actually earn interest on the money as you save it and reach your goal faster. Waiting a while can also give you a little time to solidify your mental image of what you want to look like afterward, so when you do get the surgery you know exactly what you want.

If you do decide to finance your facial surgery, do it wisely. Talk to your chosen clinic first. Since the majority of their clients don't have all the money in hand, many plastic surgeons have financing plans of their own. And since they're trying to persuade you to get the surgery, they usually have pretty good rates. If your clinic doesn't offer in-house financing, ask if they can recommend any good banks to you to get the loan from. Whatever you do, don't put it on a credit card-even the worst deal from a bank will cost much less in the long run.