Plastic surgery remains popular for many reasons. Although more expensive and complicated than some minimally invasive cosmetic procedures like Botox®, plastic surgery is a way to change your appearance in a more permanent way. In some cases, a life change, such as dramatic weight loss, leads to a decision to transform your body.
Americans spend billions of dollars on cosmetic procedures every year. And the volume of cosmetic procedures continues to increase every year. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), there was a 3% increase from 2016 to 2017. And there was a 41% increase since 2000. The most common plastic surgery—breast augmentation or augmentation—increased 3% from 2016 .Plastic surgeons performed more than 300,000 of these procedures in 2017.
Here’s a look at five of the most expensive plastic surgeries in 2017. Cost information is based on average physician fees in a 2017 ASPS report. Keep in mind that the overall cost of cosmetic and plastic surgery varies by country. Fees consist of hospital and laboratory charges, anesthesia, medication and additional cost for body garments. Where you live may affect these charges. Surgeons, hospitals and labs can charge more or less based on a number of factors, including geographic location. It may be a long-term investment, but many people achieve results that they believe are worth it.
The most expensive plastic surgery of 2019 was the lower body lift or simply the body lift. Removes excess fat and loose skin, minimizing cellulite. Doctors may recommend this procedure when liposuction is not enough. Liposuction removes excess, weight-loss-resistant fat from under the skin. It works well when the skin has the elasticity to adapt to a new shape. However, skin often loses its elasticity due to sun damage, weight changes or pregnancy. This is when a lower body lift can help.
Lower body lift surgery involves making several incisions to remove excess skin and fat. The goal is to reposition and tighten the tissues of the stomach, waist, groin, thighs and buttocks in one procedure. A common technique is to use a bikini-shaped pattern around the belly and hips. The average surgeon fee was $8,073 in 2019.
More than 123,000 Americans had a facelift in 2019. This number is up 2% from 2018. However, it remains one of the most expensive cosmetic options. The average facelift surgeon fee was $7,467 in 2017.
A facelift can reduce sagging skin, deep folds, tummy tucks and double chins. A plastic surgeon makes an incision from the hairline around the ear, repositions the skin and removes excess skin. Sometimes people also choose to have another procedure in conjunction with a facelift, such as a brow lift or blepharoplasty. This can often produce a better overall result.
If pregnancy or weight fluctuations have left you unhappy with your midsection, a tummy tuck – commonly known as a tummy tuck – may be for you. During a tummy tuck, the surgeon lifts the skin to repair the abdominal muscles underneath. The surgeon can then cut and remove the excess skin. Sometimes, the surgeon will need to create a new opening for the abdomen. The average surgeon fee for a tummy tuck was $6,092 in 2019.
If you’re planning to lose weight, experts recommend waiting to get a tummy tuck. Significant weight changes can drastically affect the results of the operation. The same goes for women who are not done having children. If a pregnancy may be in your future, postpone the tummy tuck until later.
Breasts that are too large can cause long-term health problems. Back, neck and shoulder pain are common complaints, as are skin rashes and irritation under the breasts. Sometimes heavy breasts prevent women from participating in vigorous exercise, while others are self-conscious about their size. All of these can affect a woman’s quality of life. For these women, breast reduction may be the answer. During breast reduction, the surgeon removes excess fat, tissue, and skin to create a breast size that is more proportional to your overall body size and shape.
The average surgeon fee for cosmetic breast reduction surgery was $5,475 in 2019. However, many health insurance companies will cover the cost when it is medically necessary. Each company will have its own policy with coverage criteria. This may involve trying other treatments first, such as weight loss or physical therapy. If you are considering this surgery, call your insurance company and ask about their coverage requirements.
Nose reshaping—or rhinoplasty—can change the size, shape, or overall symmetry of the nose. This may include changing the length, width, profile, tip or nostrils. The goal is to create better facial harmony by improving the proportions of your nose. Surgery can also correct structural problems that affect breathing.
To reshape the nose, surgeons make incisions either inside the nose or in the strip of skin that separates the nostrils. They then lift the skin away from the bones and cartilage. Depending on your needs, they will either remove bone or cartilage or add cartilage grafts. The average surgeon fee for rhinoplasty was $5,409 in 2019. Like breast reduction, rhinoplasty is sometimes medically necessary. If this happens, many health insurance companies will cover the procedure. Call your insurance company for coverage criteria and the pre-approval process.
Before spending a lot of money on elective surgery, experts recommend consulting with your doctor, a therapist, and loved ones to make sure you have a specific goal in mind. Many surgeons caution that it’s important to be realistic about how much cosmetic surgery can improve your self-image. The best candidates for cosmetic surgery are those who want the surgery for themselves and have realistic expectations of improvement.
