Question:
COST OF VARIOUS PLASTIC SURGERY PROCEDURES

IM IN SO. CALIFORNIA AND WONDERED IF ANYONE CAN SHARE THEIR COSTS OF BRACHIOPLASTY, TUMMY TUCK, INNER OR OUTER THIGH LIFT, BREAST LIFT/IMPLANTS, AND EVEN A BODY LIFT. I AM LOOKING TO HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS DONE IN A FEW MONTHS AND AM HAVING TROUBLE FINDING ESTIMATED COSTS WITHOUT GOING FOR A CONSULT AND I DONT WANT TO DO THAT TIL I LOSE ANOTHER 20 LBS. I ALSO NEED TO FIND OUT WHICH IS BETTER: HAVING ALL THE INDIVIDUAL PROCEDURES DONE OR JUST HAVING THE BODY LIFT. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INPUT. THANKS. (OPEN RNY 7/23/02 DOWN 141 LBS.)    — christina K. (posted on July 24, 2003)

July 24, 2003
I am having Plastic Surgery On August 18 in Redlands CA with Dr. Norbert Collins. I am having brachioplasty, Tummy Tuck and Hernia Repair. That is the max surgeries he will do at once, and in his opinion a good combinatin. I have a 2 night stay in the hospital. Total fees, with anesthesia, hospital fees, everything will be $19,000. Insurance will not cover a penny . . but, I'm worth it!!!! Dr. Collins is considered the one of the best, and has a 3-4 month waiting period just for consults, with a 2 month wait after that for the actual procedure. His staff is wonderful and caring. I am so excited an nervous I can't tell you. Good luck to you.
   — Danielle M.

July 25, 2003
I flew from northern Idaho to San Diego in order to have surgery with Dr. Gongora of the Genesis Clinic in MX. If you're open to the idea he's a wonderful very skilled surgeon, he has a very nice, clean facility and very caring staff. He's great at combining surgeries and his costs were very low compared to what I found here in the states. He did an extensive tummy tuck (like the beltectomy with the incison going all the way around you - except instead of going across by the belly button in front he uses the hip to hipo smiley incision, much nicer results) He can also do an inner thigh lift at the same time which combined would make up a lower body lift. His prices are listed on his website and he's happy to do long distance consults when necessary. I sent him photos (front,back,side -nude of course) and he made some recommendations for me and gave me my options and a price quote (no surprises - big plus!). Anyhow, if you're interested check out his website. Its www.GenesisClinic.com.
   — Shelly S.

July 27, 2003
I know that fees vary greatly. I'm in Ann Arbor, Michigan and believe that fees are on the higher side here. I just had brachioplasty and breast implants and paid $8,477. My insurance company will cover my abdominoplasty, hernia repair and vertical extension and at the same time I'll have my outer thighs lipo'd, which will cost me about $2,800.
   — Lynette B.