Before having a breast liposuction procedure, it is important to carefully interview and learn the qualifications of the surgeon. A qualified surgeon will answer any and all questions, including risks and complications, prior to the surgery being performed. Don’t accept blind assurances—ask for references, and check them.
Breast liposuction can be very costly. Surgical fees can run from $3,000 to $5,000 for men and $3,000 to $7,500 for women. Don’t shop for bargains; a lower price up front can lead to higher prices (in both health and currency) in the end. Other fees can include the hospital stay, the pharmacy, pre- and post-operative costs, and other considerations that may not be covered by insurance. Be wary of surgeons offering discounts; if they don’t do enough breast liposuction to stay busy, they might not have the expertise you are looking for.
Get an Examination Before Accepting A Quote
Don’t call around for breast liposuction prices. Prices given over the phone should not be accurate. No one should quote a price prior to examination; those who do should be able to provide a minimum and maximum. When you visit, ask for a written estimate. Make sure all fees are included, or that nothing is being hidden under a misc. type of description. If the surgeon tries to say, “don’t worry, it’s all covered under this price,” don’t let him give you the estimate without listing everything that is included.
Breast liposuction, unless medically necessary, is considered luxury elective surgery—most insurance plans won’t cover it. Many doctors accept credit cards, but it’s a very risky venture to go into debt for cosmetic surgery. There are even some companies that specialize in cosmetic surgery loans. Many require that the breast liposuction be done by a surgeon they approve. All loans are subject to credit approval; customers with excellent credit can get good rates; customers with bad credit will get rates considerably higher. Many loans start at 9.9% interest rate.
For those who can get a diagnosis from a doctor that breast liposuction is a medical necessity for weight loss consideration, there may be income tax deductions available. There are certain guidelines and requirements that must be met. IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Deductions, can provide a more detail description of the tax advantages. The American Obesity Association (AOA) has an article published on their web site. http://www.obesity.org/subs/tax/taxguide.shtml.
Breast liposuction is a relatively expensive procedure that should only be considered under prime financial or dire medical circumstances. With the price of medical care, college tuition, home purchases, and gasoline prices, one must determine whether going into debt for a purely cosmetic reason is worth the current and future financial obligations.
