Have you been thinking about undergoing cosmetic surgery? Are cosmetic surgery loans a good option? According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 1.78 million surgical cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2016, totaling over $8 billion.
But what’s the cost of the particular surgery you want, and how can you fit it into your budget?
The cost varies widely depending on the type of cosmetic surgery you’re getting as well as several other factors, which we will dive into below.
Here’s everything you need to know including the costs of the most common surgeries and the different types of cosmetic surgery loans you can get.
Average cost of the top 10 cosmetic surgeries
According to RealSelf, the world’s largest community for sharing information about cosmetic surgery, the following 10 cosmetic surgeries were the most popular in 2017.
Price quotes are from the 2018 BuildMyBod Health Pricing Report.
Dr. Marc Mani, Beverly Hills plastic surgeon and CEO of www.MarcMani.com, explains, “Costs depend on the experience and reputation of the surgeon and the location of the practice.”
He gave the following price comparison to illustrate his point:
To view an extensive list of procedure prices for various regions of the U.S., refer to the 2018 Annual BuildMyBod Health Report.
Do your cosmetic surgery plans include dental work. This guide on dental loans can help.
How to pay for cosmetic surgery
Now that you know the costs, you may be wondering about financing plastic surgery into monthly payments. Here are a few recommended ways you can do so:
1. Credit cards
“People often pay with credit cards. A young working person might pay the card off over time, while a business executive or known actor might use an Amex Black Card or simple wire transfer,” says Mani.
How about a Capital One credit card for plastic surgery? Capital One offers a Quicksilver card that allows you to earn rewards, pay no interest on purchases for nine months, and earn a $100 sign-up bonus.
Other Capital One options include the Platinum, VentureOne, Secured MasterCard, and Venture cards.
The Deserve Pro Mastercard is another card to consider. It offers cash-back on your purchases and doesn’t have an annual fee. With a credit limit up to $10,000, upon approval, it can cover a good part of many cosmetic surgeries.
There are also credit cards designed to specifically pay for medical expenses, such as Care Credit, which offers no-interest periods up to 24 months, as long as minimum payments are made.
You will need good credit to get approved for a high maximum credit limit and low interest rate. Beyond that, you can maximize the pros and minimize the cons by shopping around and picking a card with low costs and many benefits.
Cards do vary greatly, so be sure to compare carefully.
Shop and compare personal credit cards here
2. Personal loans
Looking for unsecured medical loans? A good route is to check out online personal loans. They are guaranteed by your credit and financial profile, no assets required.
That means, if you have decent credit and regular income, you will likely be able to get approved. Further, chances for approval have improved in recent years as the number of lenders has increased.
For example, LendingClub is a marketplace lender facilitating personal loans up to $40,000, which you can spend on whatever you want. You apply online and, in most cases, get an answer within a few minutes.
The interest rates are fixed and competitive, but your rate will depend on your creditworthiness. The platform has lent over $31 billion to over 1.5 million customers.
Upgrade is another example and offers personal loans up to $50,000 to those approved through the easy online application process. Repayment periods range up to five years, and interest rates vary depending on your credit and finances.
Check out the best personal loans right now
When comparing lenders, look for low fees, competitive interest rates, ease of use, a loan amount that meets your needs, and suitable eligibility requirements. Different personal loans come with different rates, fees and requirements, so check out what the best personal loans are to ensure that you choose the best option for you.
Find out what personal loan rates you qualify for in minutes!
3. Do plastic surgeons do payment plans?
Some plastic surgeons work with financing companies and, in turn, offer you payment plan options. It doesn’t hurt to ask around with the surgeons you are considering.
Be sure to find out the length of the payment plan, the costs associated with it, and the eligibility requirements. With that information, you can compare the offer to other options and find the best deal.
Learn more about other financing options for liposuction surgery
Plastic surgery financing for bad credit: What are the best options?
Is there an option for plastic surgery financing with no credit check?
If you have bad or no credit, getting financing will be a bit tricky and more expensive. Most lenders will require a credit check unless the loan is secured.
Be sure to figure out the total costs including all interest and fees, and then make your decision. Unless your surgery is an emergency, it may be better to spend some time improving your credit so you can gain access to more affordable financing.
Top options for quick (and almost guaranteed) approval no matter what your credit score is
Find the best cosmetic surgery loan for your situation
Cosmetic surgery can be expensive so you won’t want to add more to the costs than you have to. If paying cash isn’t an option, you’ll need to do some research to find the best financing route.
Consider credit cards, unsecured loans, and payment plans first. Shop around and compare the repayment periods, costs, and customer service of various lenders. Then, choose the one that makes the most sense for you.
Once you’re ready to get started, cut down your research time with SuperMoney’s personalized loan offer engine.
It will ask you a few simple questions, after which you will receive quotes from multiple lenders without hurting your credit score.
Then, make sure to compare the top companies side-by-side on our personal loan review page to find the one that is best for you.
Jessica Walrack is a personal finance writer at SuperMoney, The Simple Dollar, Interest.com, Commonbond, Bankrate, NextAdvisor, Guardian, Personalloans.org and many others. She specializes in taking personal finance topics like loans, credit cards, and budgeting, and making them accessible and fun.