In the Wall Street Journal published "Smart Money" mag, our client Dr. Richard Baxter weighed in on a new way cost-cutting consumers can safely shrink the price tag for plastic surgery. Here are his top money-saving tips to help folks get the most bang for their buck:
"1. The Heidi Montag Approach
If you’re thinking about having more than one procedure, combining them into one surgery will save money. In this case, Heidi Montag had the right idea, although most would consider ten hours of surgery too much for both a patient and a surgeon.
2. The High Price of Rent
Just like the cost of renting an apartment, the cost of plastic surgery varies by geographic region. NYC is the most expensive because the cost of operating a practice there is more pricey. So shop around and consider traveling to another US city for the best price. This makes the most sense if you have a close friend or relative in another part of the country that you can stay with while you recover.
3. Do-Over’s Are Costly; Get it Right the First Time
Watch out for shortcuts that may lead to bigger problems and more expenses in the long term. Getting it right the first time will save money in the long run.
4. The High Price of Fame
The most expensive plastic surgeons are charging for their reputation and all the marketing costs associated with it. You should pay for the procedure, not the advertising or the doc's vacation home. On the other hand, when prices are at the low end it is fair to question where they are cutting expenses to keep the price down.
5. Apples to Apples
When comparing prices, make sure you are comparing apples to apples, in other words look at the total price tag of all the associated costs including the surgical facility, anesthesia and follow-up care. For example, the advertised costs of some "brand name" facelifts don't include anesthesia or all of the elements of a traditional full facelift in their pricing."
