The cost of cosmetic surgery
Although cosmetic surgery has become more affordable over the years and is now perceived as a viable option for most people, it is still a heavy investment with most procedures costing thousands rather than hundreds of pounds.
Why do I get different quotes for the same cosmetic surgery procedure?
Sometimes patients attending my Leamington Spa cosmetic surgery clinic enquire why there is often a cost difference between Clinics and even between surgeons for the same procedure.
There are a number of reasons for this variation, many of which relate to the quality of care provided. The old adage that ‘you get what you pay for’ is relevant.
Naturally, different procedures cost more or less depending on their complexity, a facelift costing more than an upper eyelid reduction, for instance. However, even when it comes to considering a single procedure, there are a number of variables that come into play.
Some factors that can influence the cost of a cosmetic surgery procedure
The experience or reputation of the cosmetic surgeon – these can obviously count for a great deal and can justifiably attract something of a premium in terms of overall cost. Conversely, just because the cost of a procedure is set at a higher level does not necessarily mean that he or she is the ‘best’ surgeon for that particular procedure or best suited to you as an individual.
Determining exactly which procedure you require to fulfil your hopes and expectations may vary from surgeon to surgeon. Thus, ‘facelift’ and ‘tummy tuck’ are both catch-all terms, each of which actually includes a number of different techniques, the duration and complexity of which will affect the price.
- Clinic/Practitioner location – London charges are typically higher than elsewhere in the UK, partly because costs (eg, of renting premises, etc) in the capital are higher anyway and partly because of the ‘Harley Street’ cachet. However, nowadays, just because surgeons are London-based does not mean they are the ‘best’ and there are manifold benefits to choosing a surgeon local to you, not least for ease of access for aftercare (see below)
- Materials used – this obviously relates to implants and mainly pertains to the breast augmentation procedure. There are a number of leading breast implant manufacturers and many different types of implants, which may make a small difference to the overall cost.
- Recovery and aftercare – this relates to how many days you may need to remain in hospital and what your aftercare package includes. It is essential to establish in your pre-operation consultations what aftercare you can expect from your Cosmetic Surgeon and Clinic. What will your personal surgeon’s availability be during the first 2 weeks (or even 24 hours) after surgery: will he or she be around or literally miles away in Europe, as is not uncommon for some of the large cosmetic group franchises? What happens if you have some sort of postoperative problem, especially if you have had surgery carried out geographically a long way away? Be very suspicious of a cheap package in this regard.
During consultations at my Warwickshire cosmetic surgery practice, I ensure that the patient is aware of the cost of any procedure (it often comes as a big surprise that the main component cost of any operation is that of the Hospital/Clinic and not the surgeon’s fee – a common misconception) and what that cost entails, before he or she makes the decision to go ahead with surgery. I believe very strongly that, although cost is an important factor in the decision, it should not be the overriding consideration.