Published on December 2023
A Guide to In-Office Plastic Surgery
As discussed previously, Plastic Surgery continues to grow in popularity amongst Baby Boomers. To that effect, plastic surgeons are also seeing a rise in cosmetic procedures being performed in-office, which offers a variety of benefits as compared to performing such procedures in a hospital or surgery center setting. Here, we will outline some of those advantages and review the latest trend in Plastic Surgery: the rise of in-office cosmetic procedures.
Why are In-Office Procedures so popular?
In-office procedures offer several distinct advantages compared to the hospital or surgery center setting:
First, and perhaps the most significant advantage, would be that in-office procedures require no general anesthesia. In other words, you will not be put to sleep, and the procedure can be comfortably performed entirely with local numbing injections. For folks who are either too unhealthy or apprehensive to undergo general anesthesia, procedures performed in the office represent a great option.
Secondly, the price associated with in-office procedures is often considerably lower than the cost of utilizing the hospital or surgery center. This means the patient saves money on both facility fees and the cost of general anesthesia. You can expect to save several hundred dollars, at least, with this method.
Thirdly, the ease of scheduling a procedure in-office grants more flexibility than that of a surgery center or hospital setting. This allows the patient more freedom when making that important decision to schedule their procedure.
Lastly, the overall experience associated with performing a procedure in-office is often more pleasant than that of a hospital or surgery center. In general, the office setting affords a more personal and concierge-type service compared to the hospital or surgery center setting.
What Plastic Surgery procedures can be performed in-office? What do they cost?
Now that we have outlined the multiple benefits of in-office procedures, the question remains what procedures can be safely and effectively performed in an office setting. In no particular order, here they are with a brief description and their “ballpark” cost:
Facelift (mini-lift) – skin, muscle, and fat trimmed and/ or repositioned to create a more youthful appearance. Cost: $6500
Upper Blepharoplasty (eyelid lift)-skin and/or fat removed from the upper lid to refresh the eyes. Cost: $3000 (Fig.1)
Lower Blepharoplasty – skin removed, and fat repositioned to rejuvenate the under eye region. Cost: $3000
Nose Alar Base Reduction -soft-tissue removed from the nostril to narrow the base of the nose. Cost: $2000
Surgical Lip Lift-skin removed from the upper “white” lip to improve overall lip shape. Cost: $2500 (Fig. 2)
Buccal Fat Pad Removal: mid-face fat pad removed from the cheeks to slim the face and improve contour. Cost: $2000
Chin Implant-medical grade implant used to augment the chin and balance the profile. Cost: $2500
Submental Liposuction – fat removed from the neck to improve profile and sharpen jawline contour. Cost: $2000
Otoplasty (ear pinning) – skin and/or cartilage removed from ear to improve shape. Cost: $2000
Scar Revision-resection of unfavorable scars plus meticulous suturing used to improve appearance. Cost: $1500
Ear Lobe Repair – repair of split or torn ear lobes. Cost: $1200
Mole or Skin Lesion Removal-surgical excision of unwanted skin lesions. Cost: $1000
Chemical Peel (medium-deep) – skin resurfacing procedure to improve texture, tone, and discoloration of the skin. Cost: $1000
Note: the above procedures vary in their cost, risks, downtime, and results. That said, the in-office procedures listed above typically require 1-2 hours to perform, have a high safety profile, and have minimal associated “social” downtime usually no more than 1-2 weeks. More extensive procedures (e.8. facelift) or combination procedures (e.g. Upper and Lower Blepharoplasty) may require additional time for healing. Of course, these are generalities, so please ask your surgeon for specifics regarding your procedure.
What if I am interested in an in-office cosmetic procedure?
Whether you are considering a facelift to look your best for your daughter’s upcoming wedding, or whether you are interested in a blepharoplasty to rejuvenate your eyes, you should consult with a physician who has specialty training in the area you are looking to improve. Furthermore, ensure your doctor is well versed in both surgical and non-surgical facial rejuvenation procedures so that you are guaranteed a comprehensive evaluation.
Lastly, choose a surgeon whom you trust.
There are few things more important than
your relationship with your doctor.
In Good Health,
Blake Raggio, M.D
Double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
