Money Quick Tips: The costs of cosmetic surgery

Regina Lewis | Special for Paste BN

Show Caption

Cosmetic procedures are becoming more popular and costs can vary widely
Prices may be negotiable so get ballpark prices in your area first
Don%27t cut quality corners%2C safety always comes first

Demand for nips, tucks and wrinkle-free faces has consumers clamoring for bargains.

Millions go under the knife each year to enhance their faces and bodies. In fact, 14.6 million cosmetic procedures were performed in 2012, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

The upper-arm lift is a new favorite, with more than 15,000 procedures being performed in the United States in 2012, up from 300 in 2000. The cost to get those toned arms: generally $6,000 to $8,000.

The most common surgical procedure performed in 2012 was breast augmentation – more than 286,000 times.

The cost of cosmetic procedures can vary widely. Costs tend to be higher when doctors are board-certified in plastic surgery, procedures are performed in hospitals or accredited surgical facilities and done under intravenous or general anesthesia.

So, what are the going rates; how can you safely save; and when is a bargain not really a bargain? We've got five key tips to help you:

1. Get ballpark prices. You can find out the ballpark prices for procedures in your area by using the Healthcare Blue Book. It works the same way the famous Kelley Blue Book lists the prices of cars.

2. Prices may be negotiable. Because plastic surgery procedures are generally elective, they're usually not covered by insurance unless they are medically necessary. Because the doctor performing the procedure doesn't have to deal with insurance rates, prices may be more negotiable, and cash can be king with discounts for immediate payment.

3. Be wary of credit card offers. Be especially wary of cosmetic surgeons pushing health care credit cards to help finance costly cosmetic procedures. The cards, which may offer initial interest rates of 0%, can lure in clients, but sometimes they have unforeseen drawbacks like rates that can quickly jump.

4. Avoid impulse buys. And here's a growing concern in the cosmetic surgery field: Deal sites like Groupon offer discounts on everything from Botox to laser hair removal, and even liposuction, brow lifts and hair transplants. It can be tempting to "opt in" to a compelling price before you've even had a professional consultation.

5. Don't cut quality corners. Regardless of the procedure you're interested in, always look for a top board-certified surgeon. Certification standards can vary. Here are questions to consider when choosing a surgeon:

• What is the doctor board-certified in?

• Is the doctor licensed? Are there any state disciplinary actions?

• How often has the doctor performed the surgery you are considering?

• Is the facility where the surgery taking place accredited?

Just because you're getting a nip and tuck, you never want to cut corners on quality. To get more consumer information and safety tips, check out Paste BN's special report:

Part 1: Lack of training can be deadly in cosmetic surgery

Part 2: Cosmetic surgery gets cheaper, faster, scarier

Part 3: States lax in regulating cosmetic surgery

Cosmetic surgery laws often aren't enough

Regina Lewis is a national television contributor and host of Paste BN's "Money Quick Tips" videos. Follow her on Twitter: @ReginaLewis.

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