Understanding Plastic Surgery Costs

Cost is an important consideration in any plastic surgery procedure. If you’ve received a price quote for surgery, it’s important to understand exactly what is included in that number. Here, Dr. Erwin Bulan, a plastic surgeon in Northern New Jersey, explains the components that are included in the cost of plastic surgery.

The Surgeon’s Fee

Reputable board-certified plastic surgeons charge for their expertise and experience. Prior to establishing their practice, they spend several years training in an accredited residency program, undergo a written and oral board certification process and must continue to maintain their certification through the American Board of Plastic Surgery (to check to see if your plastic surgeon is truly board certified, look for them at www.abplsurg.org). Plastic surgery is not an area where you want to shop around for “good deals.” It’s impossible to put a price on the peace of mind you will have, knowing that you are working with a trained and experienced professional. Experts agree: never choose a doctor based solely on the price.

Operating Room Fees

Another large component of the total cost of plastic surgery is the facility or operating room fees. The facility fees enable our team to operate in a fully accredited, state-of-the-art facility filled with modern comforts. Surgical procedures can typically occur in hospital-based facilities (Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Overlook Hospital, Morristown Medical Center) or our outpatient surgical facility, Morris County Surgical Center. Our practice takes every patient’s thoughts and wishes into consideration when choosing the appropriate facility in which to perform the surgery.

Anesthesia Fees

Anesthesia is essential for a safe and comfortable patient experience. The fees for anesthesia go toward an experienced board certified anesthesiologist, who administers the medication and monitors the patient’s vitals during the operation.

Specialized Equipment

Certain plastic surgery procedures require specialized equipment, such as a particular laser or instrument. Examples include ultrasonic or power-assisted liposuction or specialized CO2 laser skin resurfacing. The cost of using this equipment is typically incorporated into the price of the procedure.

Extra Miscellaneous Costs

Finally, the cost of plastic surgery may include implants or medical devices (e.g., breast implants, tissue expanders), postoperative garments and postoperative dressings (e.g., silicone sheeting, Embrace) needed for the procedure or to optimize results. In addition, there is typically no charge for all postsurgical appointments from an elective cosmetic procedure. These extra miscellaneous costs add additional value to the surgical estimate that is given, and should be considered on any comparison of costs.

Patient Financing Options

Overall, we do not want cost to prohibit you from seeking the plastic surgery you want and deserve. If you’re considering plastic surgery but don’t know how you’ll absorb the entire cost up-front, you may be interested in a financing plan. Bulan Plastic Surgery accepts payment through the CareCredit cosmetic surgery financing plan, which allows you to make smaller payments over time.

To learn more about the plastic surgery procedure of your choice, or your financing options, please contact Dr. Bulan’s office by calling (973) 467-9744 today.