Plastic Surgery’s Did You Know? Financing in Plastic Surgery

Plastic surgery has come a long way over the past decades on many levels. Besides the advances in surgical techniques, biomaterials and anesthesia, the profile of the typical patient has changed. While once considered a luxury for the wealthy and famous, the rise in the popularity and awareness of plastic surgery is because it has become commonplace. And to do that it has to become a service that is used by average people on an everyday basis. The stars and celebrities may get the press, but they are just a small fraction of the total plastic surgery population. Patients come from all segments of society today regardless of socioeconomic status, social strata or ethnic or religious background.  Elective plastic surgery today is a lifestyle choice. The vast majority of the population can afford it if they are so motivated. As the old motto goes, most people can afford what they want. People save, finance, borrow and even barter to get their desired plastic surgery procedures done. The number of patients that finance is reflective of this trend. What was once a small percentage of patients just ten years ago now accounts for nearly half of how patients pay for surgery today in my practice. People want to feel and look better and are well aware that a wide variety of surgical and non-surgical procedures are available. This has made plastic surgery mainstream and no longer an extravagance.