Considering Remodeling?
Last year, Americans paid physicians $6.5 billion for cosmetic surgical procedures, a number that doesn't include hospital or other facilities fees, anesthesia, tests, or prescriptions. An additional $2.9 billion was spent on nonsurgical procedures such as Botox. All surgery involves risk, including blood clots, infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to anesthesia. More detailed information on cosmetic surgery's benefits and costs is at plasticsurgery.org and surgery.org .
PROCEDURES
1. Rhinoplasty (nose reshaping)
NO. OF PATIENTS
356,554
RISKS
Bursting of small blood vessels causing tiny permanent red spots; incomplete improvement
AVERAGE SURGEON'S FEE
$3,188
PROCEDURES
2. Liposuction
NO. OF PATIENTS
320,022
RISKS
Shock from fluid loss; asymmetry; rippling or bagginess of skin; pigmentation changes
AVERAGE SURGEON'S FEE
$2,224
PROCEDURES
3. Breast augmentation
NO. OF PATIENTS
254,140
RISKS
Hard tissue from scarring; deflated implant; lack of nipple sensitivity
AVERAGE SURGEON'S FEE
$3,375
PROCEDURES
4. Eyelid surgery
NO. OF PATIENTS
246,633
RISKS
Temporary blurred vision; dry eyes; difficulty closing eyes completely; pulling down of lower lids
AVERAGE SURGEON'S FEE
$2,525
PROCEDURES
5. Face-lift
NO. OF PATIENTS
128,667
RISKS
Injury to nerves controlling facial muscles; excessive scarring; uneven hairline
AVERAGE SURGEON'S FEE
$5,283
Source: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; American Society of Plastic Surgeons
This story appears in the May 31, 2004 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.