How much does a breast augmentation cost? What about facelift surgery or rhinoplasty? When considering plastic surgery, it’s very important to do your research. You’ll want to find the right surgeon and you’ll want to compare options and plastic surgery procedure costs. It’s seldom that you’ll find rates for various surgeries available on medical websites or brochures since every surgery is tailored to the individual needs of the patient. It’s rare to find a “once size fits all” solution and cost, but I can certainly shed light on what you could come to expect.
Why pricing is kept at bay?
The primary reason for withholding procedure costs mainly comes down to variability: the exact cost of an individual’s procedure could vary based on their specific needs and desired results. It is always recommended to schedule an appointment for a personal consultation with me, so that I may ascertain the nature of the procedures you’re enquiring about and provide informative and cost-effective solutions and advice.
However…
…some of my patients have told me they would have felt more comfortable at their initial visit, if they knew some ballpark figures.
So…
…seeing that there is a need for pricing information, I’d like to share how plastic surgery costing works, what is included and how SA compares to the US as a reference. I do believe that patients have the right to be more informed before they come to a consultation, however they must remain cautious. I can’t stress enough that every person is unique and all too often I have seen patients leaving my rooms with a completely different and more appropriate procedure scheduled in their diary. Please don’t make a ‘final’ decision on the basis of costing.
What is included in the price?
The cost of your procedure includes various expenses such as:
- Surgeon fees
- Material costs (breast implants, etc.)
- Operating room costs (staff salaries, rent, costs of operating machinery)
- Anaesthetist and anaesthesia related costs
- Any included medications or post-surgical compression devices
- Follow up appointments
Often patients may feel that the plastic surgeon’s fees are rather high, but in fact, when one takes into account all the elements and medical staff required, then it seems more palatable.
Average costs in my practice versus in the US
The cost of plastic surgery in South Africa is generally lower than in the UK and the US, partly due to our weak currency and our overall less expensive medical organisations.
In order for me to be able to give you a comparison between my average prices and the costs in the US, I based myself on Realself.com. RealSelf is an online hub (of which I am also a member) that allows users to ask questions and share personal experiences about cosmetic surgeries. Physicians who are registered with the site are able to post responses. A common question that many users post is with regards to pricing. Many cosmetic surgery patients across the U.S. post the final costs of their surgery which RealSelf then aggregates and calculates averages.
Here are the average costs of some popular procedures: (1 ZAR = 0,06 USD – 20 June 2020)[1]
| Procedure | US Price | Exchanged in ZAR | Dr Moodley’s Price (starting point) |
| Breast Augmentation | $6,500 | R112 638,11 | R 70 000,00 |
| Eyelid Surgery (lower + upper under general) | $4,675 | R80 993,88 | R 50 000,00 |
| Facelift | $12,175 | R210 930,58 | R 80 000,00 |
| Rhinoplasty | $7,525 | R130 368,16 | R 65 000,00 |
| Tummy Tuck | $8,200 | R142 062,32 | R 75 000,00 |
| Arm Lift | $7,200 | R124 766,39 | R 52 000,00 |
| Breast Lift | $7,950 | R137 762,88 | R 65 000,00 |
| Brow Lift | $7,175 | R124 333,17 | R 35 000,00 |
| Chin Augmentation | $4,975 | R86 210,11 | R 45 000,00 |
| Labiaplasty | $4,150 | R71 913,96 | R 30 000,00 |
| Otoplasty | $4,175 | R72 347,17 | R 42 000,00 |
| Thigh Lift | $8,825 | R147 083,33 | R 62 000,00 |
| Breast Reduction | $7,275 | R126 066,04 | R 75 000,00 |
| Gynaecomastia | $5,550 | R96 174,09 | R 50 000,00 |
If you wish to enquire about a price on another procedure, don’t hesitate to contact me and send me an email.
Financing
There are several financial companies who provide monthly payment plan options to assist with the costs of plastic surgery procedures. This allows patients to undergo their treatment immediately and pay for it overtime In the form of a medical loan. This is most helpful in cases where the surgery may not be elective but rather necessary.
One of the most utilised financial providers in my practice is Medifin. For more info please visit their website on www.medifin.co.za.[2]
Medifin also offers insurance for patients who may need corrective or additional surgery.
In certain cases your medical aid may also authorize the surgery, mostly in reconstructive cases where it can be proven to be a health risk or impediment to the quality of the life of the patient. Dr Moodley will gladly share advice you on what route is most beneficial for you.
Something to consider
Undergoing cosmetic surgery is a life altering event. While the cost of surgery is an important factor to consider, it is also crucial to remember that you will live with the outcome of the surgery for the rest of your life. Your highest priority should be on finding the best plastic surgeon for your specific needs. Consider the following:
- Choose a surgeon with abundant experience and documentation of previous surgeries. For a plastic surgery procedure, choose a plastic surgeon rather than a doctor from another area of medicine that also performs plastic surgery.
- Look for a surgeon that you are comfortable with. Ensure that you understand and agree with how the surgeon plans to perform the surgical procedure.
- It is important to ensure that the plastic surgeon you choose understands your vision and surgery goals and agrees that they are realistic and attainable.
- Make sure your surgery will be performed in an appropriately appointed operating room. The Cosmetic Surgery Institute is one of Cape Town finest and well run private hospitals which I recommend.
- It is important to select a plastic surgeon who uses quality products of high standards (such as implants) from a reputable manufacturer. I only use implants from reputable companies such as Conquest, with longstanding quality control track records.
- Be wary of plastic surgeons who offer pricing significantly lower than national or regional averages or bargain/gimmicky prices, such as “deal of the day” offers.
- Be certain that the quoted price you receive includes all expenses (i.e. no hidden fees). In my practice I will prepare your quote so that all is included and self-explanatory.
In Conclusion…
I hope this article has assisted In shedding further light on cosmetic surgery and the potential costs involved. Price is important and more so, it is important to know if you are able to afford it or not. However, price alone shouldn’t be the determining factor in your decision towards whether to have a procedure done with a certain doctor or not. If you want to make an appointment or discuss further, please feel free to contact me via mail info@seanmoodley.co.za or call on 021 205 11 17.
I look forward to seeing you.
Kind regards,
Dr Sean Moodley
Resources:
[1] Information derived from www.realself.com
[2] Info derived from www.medifin.co.za
