Everyone knows that cosmetic surgery is expensive and, most of the time, it is not covered by your health insurance. Yet, each year more and more people from different socioeconomic backgrounds are having cosmetic surgery. Here, briefly are the fees you can expect to pay, and some realistic financial suggestions. healthren.com

A survey by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that in 2002 average surgeon fees for cosmetic procedures were: healthren.com

Botox healthren.com	$ 422 healthren.com	Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) healthren.com	$ 2,455 healthren.com
Cheek implants healthren.com	$ 2,004 healthren.com	Face lift (rhytidectomy) healthren.com	$ 5,352 healthren.com
Chemical peel healthren.com	$ 446 healthren.com	Forehead/brow lift healthren.com	$ 2,716 healthren.com
Chin implant healthren.com	$ 1,612 healthren.com	Laser skin resurfacing healthren.com	$ 2,155 healthren.com
Collagen injection healthren.com	$ 357 healthren.com	Lip augmentation healthren.com	$ 1,374 healthren.com
Dermabrasion healthren.com	$ 1,032 healthren.com	Nose surgery (rhinoplasty) healthren.com	$ 3,469 healthren.com

healthren.com

Then, you must add in fees for anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses. The total bill can be 50% to 100% higher than the surgeon fees above.

So how does the average person handle these expenses if they don't have the cash? Here are some options to investigate:

healthren.com

• Insurance. In some cases health insurance may cover some of the costs of cosmetic surgery. For example, if nose surgery includes surgery to correct problems with breathing, your insurer may cover the hospital and anesthesia fees, leaving you to pay only the cosmetic surgeon's fee. Also, some insurance companies will cover the cost of upper eyelid surgery if the skin interferes with vision.
• Discounts. If you want to have several procedures, having them all done on the same day will save you money. Most surgeons offer significant discounts for second, third and fourth procedures.
• Financing. In addition to your credit card or a loan from your local bank, there are a number of financial institutions that offer loans for cosmetic surgery. These can be found online or through your surgeon's office.
• Gift. There is an increasing trend toward receiving cosmetic surgery as a gift.

Most fees are paid in advance of surgery. However, you should discuss with your surgeon what happens in the case of unexpected results or complications. Most surgeons will not charge for follow-up operations within a year of your surgery to repair deformity or asymmetry. You would still be charged hospital and anesthesia fees. Also, some complications may be covered by your health insurance. Check with your insurance company for details.