In Focus: Plastic Surgery Prices for Women

by Dr. Kevin Williams

For women who hope to maintain a youthful appearance as they enter middle age, plastic surgery is becoming very popular. It’s possible to look ten years younger or more through plastic surgery performed by an experienced and skilled surgeon. But how much does plastic surgery cost? Here are current prices in the United States for popular cosmetic surgery procedures:

Botox Injections

Current Price Per Injection: $300-$500

Botox is the injection of botulinum toxin, which temporarily reduces or eliminates wrinkles such as frown lines, crow’s feet, laugh lines, and forehead creases. Botox works by blocking the nerve impulses, which temporarily paralyze the muscles that create these wrinkles. The result is smoother skin and a more youthful appearance. Botox is popular among Hollywood celebrities and movie stars.

Breast Augmentation (Breast Implants)

Current Prices: $5,500-$7,500

Breast implants enhance the size and shape of the breasts. Most women can choose either silicone or saline implants, as well as either sub-glandular or sub-muscular implantation. Your surgeon can help you understand the pros and cons of each.

Breast Lift (Mastopexy)

Current Surgery Prices: $3,000-$5,000

For women who want the appearance of larger, perkier breasts, a breast lift is a good alternative to implants. The best candidates for breast lift surgery are women with smaller, sagging breasts. Breasts of any size can be lifted, but the results may not be as successful for women with larger breasts.

Face Lift (Rhytidectomy)

Current Prices: $4,500-$6,000

A face lift will not stop the aging process, but can often make women look up to ten years younger by softening the appearance of lines and sagging skin around the cheeks, eyes, chin and neck. It is vital to choose a skilled and experienced face-lift surgeon for this type of cosmetic surgery.

Chemical Peel

Current Prices: $400-$2,000

In this procedure, a chemical solution is applied to remove the damaged outer layers of the skin and expose the new, smoother skin underneath. The cost varies with the type and expense of the chemicals used. Milder chemical peels are less expensive.

Injectable Wrinkle Fillers (Collagen or Restylane)

Current Prices per Treatment: $300-$400

Injectable wrinkle fillers are employed to restore youthfulness to the lips, cheeks, and other areas of the face. The cost per injection is not overly expensive, but wrinkle fillers are not permanent and must be re-injected approximately every 6 months.

Skin Resurfacing and Rejuvenation (Dermabrasion)

Current Prices: $1,200-$3,500

Skin resurfacing through dermabrasion can obtain the same effect as a chemical peel because it removes the damaged top layer of skin to expose a new, smooth layer of skin underneath. Health insurance may cover the procedure in cases of abnormal skin lesions and scar tissue.

Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Current Prices: $1,500-$3,500

Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to remove fat and excess skin from the upper and lower eyelids. Patients with drooping eyelids and heavy bags under their eyes are the most common candidates for this type of cosmetic surgery.

Forehead Lift or Brow Lift

Current Price: $2,800-$3,500

A forehead lift, sometimes called a browlift, is a plastic surgery procedure to eliminate lines that make a person appear to be angry, tired or sad. Patients who have undergone this procedure report positive reactions from family members, friends and coworkers due to their improved appearance.

Laser Skin Resurfacing

Current Price: $2,200

Similar to chemical peels and dermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing takes off the outer layer of the skin to reveal a smoother, new layer underneath. In the process, blemishes, lines and other age-related imperfections are also removed:
 

Liposuction

Current Price Range: $2,500-$7,500

Women have a higher body fat percentage than men, which explains the higher cost of liposuction for women. While male liposuction usually involves removal of fat from the stomach and waist, women often require liposuction for their lower arms, stomach, love handles, thighs and buttocks.

Nose Job (Rhinoplasty)

Current Price: $3,500-$5,000

Rhinoplasty alters the shape of the nose, and is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures. Women who undergo rhinoplasty are advised to be satisfied with improvement rather than perfection in the appearance of their nose. The cost of some rhinoplasty procedures may be covered by health insurance.

Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty)

Current Average Price: $800-$2,000

For women who have loose skin after pregnancy or major weight loss, a tummy tuck can be a good way to make the abdominal area more firm and youthful-looking. Tummy tuck cost can vary widely.

Buttocks Augmentation (Butt Implants)

Current Price: $2,000-$5,000

Buttock augmentation, or butt implants entails the insertion of artificial implants into the buttocks via surgery to help enhance their size and shape. This surgery is relatively new, and recovery can be painful with complications more common than many women realize. Cost depends on the type of implant and technique used by the gluteal implant surgeon.

Female Genital Surgery (Labiaplasty)

Current Prices: $3,500-$4,000

Labiaplasty has become more popular in recent years. Certain women develop noticeable labia after having children, or simply through the aging process. A labiaplasty can renew a woman’s sexual self-confidence.

Vaginal Rejuvenation and Tightening (Vaginoplasty)

Current Prices: $6,000-$9,000

Vaginoplasty (vaginal rejuvenation) is a procedure to tighten the vaginal muscles, and often includes labiaplasty (see above). Women who have had several childbirths are often the best candidates for vaginoplasty.

(published December 16, 2010)

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