Can You Get a Personal Loan for Plastic Surgery?

As plastic surgery rises in popularity, its costs have also increased. From rhinoplasty to liposuction, the possibilities are endless–but the procedures can easily cost thousands of dollars. Many types of plastic surgery are considered cosmetic, which means health insurance won’t provide coverage.

If you’re looking for a method of financing a surgical procedure, consider personal loans as an accessible option. In this guide, we go over the pros and cons of taking out a personal loan for plastic surgery.

Plastic surgery trends and statistics

Our perception of plastic surgery is ever-evolving as science and social platforms affect our understanding of it. Media continuously pushes new, polished, and even stressful standards of beauty ideals. Celebrity influencers have become more open about their plastic surgery experiences, decreasing the stigma surrounding cosmetic plastic surgery.

Although plastic surgery can be medically necessary or restorative, most people think of cosmetic surgery when hearing the term plastic surgery. Regardless of what type of plastic surgery you’re considering, it’s important to know the costs and financing strategies. That way, you can reduce the strain on your finances.

The costs associated with plastic surgery

The costs of plastic surgery can vary greatly upon the type of surgery you’re getting, your chosen surgeon, and other factors. Even though plastic surgery can be extremely expensive, if it is an important goal to you, it’s advisable to choose a reputable, licensed surgeon. Incompetent surgeons greatly increase the chances of being exposed to harm during and after the procedure.

Here are a few common plastic surgery procedures and their estimated costs. Before you commit to a clinic, make sure you take your time to research the benefits, costs, and risks associated with each option. Knowing the expected prices can help you find a suitable deal.

• Breast augmentation: $4,500
• Breast reduction: $6,000
• Rhinoplasty: $5,500
• Eyelid surgery: $4,000
• Liposuction: $3,500
• Lip augmentation: $2,300

Additional costs

It’s also a good idea to be aware of the additional costs relevant to your procedure. These costs will vary based on your individual situation, surgery type, goals, and other factors. Examples of additional costs include:

• Consultation fees
• Post-surgery care
• Follow-up appointments
• Other non-invasive cosmetic procedures

Some types of plastic surgery may require additional procedures and touch-ups. Knowing the total expected costs of your plastic surgery and post-surgery care can ensure you take out a suitable loan amount.

Traditional financing options for plastic surgery

Other than personal loans, you can also consider traditional financing methods for plastic surgery. Knowing the alternatives can help you make an informed financial decision.

In-clinic financing and payment plans

Some plastic surgery clinics offer in-clinic payment plans for financing. You can ask your preferred clinic about in-house financing methods. While this method can be convenient since it is directly connected to the clinic, it may restrict your available surgeon options since not all clinics provide in-clinic payment plans.

Health insurance coverage

While health insurance may cover plastic surgery, there are significant numbers of exceptions and limitations. The main reason for this is that many plastic surgery procedures may be considered elective surgeries, which are typically not covered by health insurance policies.

If your plastic surgery is deemed necessary for functionality and health reasons, you might be able to receive partial coverage from your insurance company. Each insurer’s policy details can differ in what surgical claims are covered.

Credit card

Another option is to use credit cards to finance your plastic surgery. Credit cards allow you to pay for procedures that you can’t easily afford with cash.

However, it is important to know that using your credit card for expensive procedures can be problematic due to the high balances and high credit card interest rates. Interest can rapidly accumulate, making it difficult to repay the credit card debt.

Borrowing from friends and family

You could also finance your plastic surgery by borrowing money from friends and family. The risk to this is that your relationships may take a hit due to the newly introduced element of borrowing money from them.

Exploring personal loans as a financing solution

Personal loans can provide borrowers with lump sums of money to use for a variety of loan purposes. While you will need to repay the loan amount plus interest, loans can be a great way to help you fund expensive needs and goals.

Here are the main benefits of using a personal loan for plastic surgery.

Predictable monthly payments

Personal loans typically have fixed interest rates and clear repayment schedules. The predictability can be beneficial in how it simplifies financial planning, especially since the borrower would be busy healing post-surgery.

Competitive interest rates

For borrowers with good to excellent credit, personal loans can grant you low interest rates, which can greatly reduce the cost of borrowing. The two main credit score types that influence your interest rate are FICO and VantageScore. You can check your own credit scores before applying for a personal loan to get an idea of whether you will receive favorable interest rates for a plastic surgery loan.

Surgeon flexibility

Obtaining a personal loan can provide you with meaningful flexibility in choosing the surgeon or clinic you want. You won’t be restricted by specific financing methods.

Key criteria lenders assess when evaluating loan applications

Lenders take into account various factors when determining whether you can receive a loan and what loan terms you may be offered. In general, lenders look at two main aspects when making loan decisions: the borrower’s financial stability and creditworthiness (the extent to which they are suitable for loans).

Terms and requirements vary between lenders, but common factors that affect creditworthiness and financial stability include:

• Your credit score: The higher your credit score, the more likely you can obtain favorable loan terms.
• Credit history: Lenders prefer if you have a good track record of paying your bills and managing your finances.
• Income: Borrowers with higher income are typically more financially stable, increasing their repayment capacity.
• Existing debt obligations: If you have many existing debts, prospective lenders may reject your loan application.

Benefits of using personal loans for plastic surgery

Plastic surgery can drain your finances, making it an unattainable goal. Personal loans can help give you the funds you need for plastic surgery-related expenses. Here are the main reasons to consider using a personal loan for plastic surgery.

Immediate access to funds

A personal loan relatively quickly grants you the loan funds that you need. If you need fast financing for your plastic surgery, personal loans can be a valuable method.

For those who require urgent restorative plastic surgery, using a personal loan to pay for the bills may be a great avenue of choice.

Getting loan funds disbursed into your account can take a few hours to a week following loan approval, depending on your chosen lender.

Simplify the repayment structure

Personal loans tend to have straightforward, fixed repayment structures that are clear and understandable. You can expect to pay the same installment monthly or biweekly, depending on your designated loan terms. These simplified repayment terms can be an attractive feature of personal loans, especially if you usually struggle with complex financial planning.

Include both pre-surgery and post-surgery costs

Other than the bill for the plastic surgery itself, you may need to pay for many other miscellaneous expenses. Personal loan funds are directly disbursed into your bank account, which grants you the freedom to pay for any other bills that arise.

Considerations before opting for a personal loan for plastic surgery

Before you take out a personal loan for your plastic surgery procedure, make sure that you’re fully aware of the impact and features of personal loans. Here are a few key steps that you should keep in mind before obtaining a loan.

Evaluate the total cost

It’s critical that you know the full cost of borrowing before you commit to the loan. To better understand the total cost, you can look at the annual percentage rate (APR). The APR takes into account various factors, including the interest rate, discount points, origination fees, and other costs of borrowing. The higher the interest rate and APR, the more you will need to pay for taking out the loan.

In addition, it’s a good idea to be aware of any fees and penalties that kick in if you miss a payment, default on the loan, or make extra payments to eliminate the debt early.

Reflect on the long-term financial commitment

Taking out a personal loan for plastic surgery creates a debt burden that may take years to completely repay. Carefully review your financial standing, stream of income, and personal goals to see whether a personal loan is suitable for you.

Compare various lenders

Each lender has its own requirements, rates, and policies. By researching and comparing different lenders, you can secure better terms on your personal loan. When comparing loan offers, look at essential differentiators such as:

• The APR
• Origination fee
• Application speed
• Prepayment penalty
• Lender reputation
• Is collateral necessary
• Repayment schedule

Lenders may also agree to compromise on the loan agreement details so you can try to negotiate better terms, particularly if you have solid creditworthiness.

Assess your post-surgery financial standing

After your plastic surgery procedure, you might be in a different financial situation. Repaying a loan might be more challenging and stressful. Before you go through plastic surgery, contemplate what your financial standing will be after the procedure.

Alternative financing methods

Medical credit card

If you don’t enjoy the features of a regular credit card or personal loan, you might want to consider a medical credit card. This type of credit card is specifically meant to pay off medical bills, such as surgery expenses.

Employer benefits

If your employer offers health insurance benefits, you might want to check whether the insurance policy covers your plastic surgery.

Personal savings

Of course, you can dip into your individual savings to fund your plastic surgery. The benefit to this is that you won’t be directly incurring any debt. However, depleting your savings can result in financial instability and a lack of emergency funds. Individuals often prefer using only a certain amount of their hard-earned savings so they can still handle any unexpected expenses that might come their way.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding platforms are a popular financing choice for those who require corrective or restorative plastic surgery. By sharing your story and goals with the community, you may be able to fundraise financial aid and receive heartfelt support for your survey needs. For example, burn victims who require restorative plastic surgery may benefit from crowdfunding campaigns.

Successful crowdfunding campaigns can easily help people reach their goals. However, a significant disadvantage of crowdfunding is that the effects of publicly sharing your story can be stressful and unpredictable.

Key takeaways

Plastic surgery can help people align their appearance with their ideal aesthetics, but it is important to perform thorough research in advance. At the end of the day, knowing the costs of plastic surgery and financing strategies can help you make an informed decision. It’s recommended to strike a balance between your goals with sensible financial planning. Personal loans can be a convenient and valuable way to finance your plastic surgery.

Before committing to any plastic surgery, ensure that you know the expected expenses related to your desired procedure, including pre- and post-surgery costs. Explore the different financing options available to you. Compare the terms of competitive lenders to find the personal loan that aligns best with your needs and goals.

Resources and further reading

If you’re shopping for a personal loan for plastic surgery, it is important that you choose a reputable clinic as well as a trusted loan provider. Here are a few popular lenders you might want to consider.

• Credible
• SoFi
• LightStream
• LendingPoint
• Upgrade

Each lender has its own requirements, advantages, and drawbacks. Make sure you carefully review and compare the different loan terms and conditions so you can obtain the most suitable and favorable personal loan.

About The Author

Ru Chen

Content Writer

Ru Chen is a content writer with several years of experience in creating engaging and well-researched articles. She mostly writes about business, digital marketing, and law. In her free time, she can be found watching horror movies and playing board games with her partner in Brooklyn.

Articles by Ru Chen

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