Recession affecting the costs of plastic surgery?

I'm curious if the current recession is (or could) have any affect on the prices of "elective" (or rather, reconstructive surgery that insurance companies don't consider to be reconstructive)surgeries.

I have a (6th) consult with a plastic surgeon today. I'm truly hoping that I can get a quote of 11-12k for lower body lift with anchor incision (a lower price would be even better - haha, but I'm not holding my breath). I saw this same surgeon 3.5 years ago and he quoted 16k for LBL w/ anchor incision and Thigh Lift. It's not a bad price, but at that time I wasn't working 2 jobs and saving every dime I could get my hands on. I was naive enough to think that insurance would help pay for some of the reconstruction. lol  I'm better prepared to go in self-pay and get this skin custom tailored to fit my body now.

I do wonder though, how/if the prices may have changed now, with this downturn economy.

I'll update this afternoon. :) 

I can't speak for the recession and plastic surgery but I just learned that my cousin, who just had VSG in Mexico, received a $250 discount for having it in the month of February. This could just be a disguised recession discount as I would think that February would be a big month for bariatric and PS since people want to get it out of the way before warm weather.

I had all my work done in Mexico in November and got a huge savings over US surgeons--about 1/3 to 1/4 the cost. I also got a volume discount for having all the work done at once. Send me an email to [email protected] if you are interested in hearing about my experience.

I'm in Louisville but get down to Nashville quarterly. Great town! I have friends there who always have the door open for visitors!

Cathy

Everything's negotiable - especially now.

 I agree that prices are probably more negotiable than in the past.  I would caution against doing something as big as as an LBL in mexico - I know many people have great outcomes - but mine involved very minor complications - but an enormous number of followup visits.  Having my surgeon 20 minutes away was very helpful.   I can't imagine having gone through it knowing my surgeon was a planeride away.  Good luck on your consult.      Susan

I also know that plastic surgery varies greatly in different parts of the US.  You don't have to leave the country to get a better deal.  Susan is right, though...having your doctor close enough for follow up visits is important.  I'm lucky to live in cose driving distance from four states...PA, DE, MD and NJ...and the cost difference is unvbelievable!  Good Luck!

I am seriously considering a lower body lift in July, and I figure I'll take out a loan against my 401K.  The money's tanking, so why not put it to good use, right?  I keep going back and forth as to whether or not I should do it. 

That is where i'm going to get my money too, from my 401K. I use to have 25,000 in there, now it's down to 19,500! so sad! I know it will go back up but i came into this process knowing that Plastic's is next. so whatever i can't get my insurance to pay for will have to come out of my 401K, and if it goes over that i'll do something else......

Well, I am back from my consult. It was a very interesting consult. Let me just go ahead and say that I am VERY excited, and I have a tentative date scheduled - June 4th! (bf's a teacher, so waiting for summer break)

So here's the deal. I had a consult with this Dr. Hueneke 3.5 years ago. The quote at that time was 16k for LBL w/ anchor incision and thigh lift. My quote is now 14.5k, same procedures, and 1 night in the hospital.

Now I've been weighing all of my options for some time now, while I save money for PS. I have talked with 4 surgeons here in Nashville, Dr. Quiroz in TJ, MX and Dr. Saucedo in Monterrey, MX. I decided against Quiroz, but continued to talk to/consider Saucedo. The only thing that made me decide to try consulting with my choice here in Nashville again was because my PCP recently went on medical leave (she was diagnosed with MS ) and so I wouldn't have anyone lined up to assist with follow care once I got home from MX.

The break down monetarily is like this: I'm not saving anything by going to MX over staying here in TN now. Saucedo's quote was 12k for LBL w/ anchor and Thigh Lift + 1200.00 for airfare and 1200.00 for hotel = 14,400.00 (On a side note: I was told that my quote is higher,  because I have a freaking LOT of excess skin on torso and it will take longer to contour)

I have no idea if my lower quote with Dr. Heuneke from 2.5-3 years ago, vs. now is due to the recession or what - but I'm going with Heuneke simply because of the convenience of follow up care close to home (his office is also right across the street from my wls' office, lol). Both doctors are skilled PS and I honestly have no doubt that I would be happy with either of them, but I am glad that prices are coming down some. lol

I'll probably have to get a very small home equity loan (thankfully my house is no where close to upside down) or possibly dip into the ol' 401. I've been working 2 jobs for nearly a year, and saving like crazy, so I'll be pretty close to having all of it by June. Regardless, I'm getting this done!

I would get a consult with Ross Bunch in Tuscaloosa, Alabama before deciding. His prices are very reasonable, and you can probably make an offer and get it lower. I did.
I had an excellent outcome, and would recommend him to anyone.

Hi Brandi...I got a quote of $14,275 (if ins pays for Panni) Anchor LBL, thigh & butt lift, new belly button, This also includes operating room & anesthesia in hospital.  I live in New York.  

Good luck.

Hugs,
Dale