10
Mar
Is plastic surgery a waste of money? There are some frugal people who will tell you that it’s always wasteful to pay money for cosmetic surgery. However, there are also some people who will tell you that the right types of plastic surgery can actually save you money in the long run. The answer is a very personal decision but here’s a look at some of the arguments as well as ways to reduce the cost of plastic surgery if you do decide it’s something that you want to do.
Why Plastic Surgery is a Waste of Money
The argument against plastic surgery is a strong one. Most frugal people do not believe that it’s worth it to invest in plastic surgery for the following reasons:
- It is very expensive. Cosmetic surgery is a very expensive process. Even non-invasive cosmetic procedures (like collage injections) are extremely pricey. These medical procedures are not covered under health insurance (except in the case of certain forms of reconstructive surgery). You have to pay out of pocket for these procedures.
- There is usually more than one procedure. People who get plastic surgery once are likely to end up getting it again. Some of these people become addicted to the desire to look better and get many surgeries in order to feel like they are looking their best. Other people find that they need plastic surgery later to repair or update their first surgery. For example, did you know that breast implants usually need to be removed or replaced within ten to fifteen years after they are put in? This requires another surgery and more money.
- It isn’t necessary. The main reason that frugal people don’t think that it’s smart to pay for plastic surgery is that it’s considered to be an unnecessary expense. Frugal people do sometimes pay for things that are not necessities but they weigh the pros and cons carefully. Plastic surgery is considered non-essential for many frugal people and falls very low on the list of non-essential items they would consider paying for.
- Plastic surgery won’t make you happy. Many people who live frugal lives see plastic surgery in the same light that they see material consumption. You buy things because you think that they will make you feel better but the result is a lot of stressful debt and feeling worse instead of better. Likewise, you may spend a lot of money trying to get the perfect look only to end up unhappy.
When Plastic Surgery Might be Cost Effective
There are some arguments that can be made for cases in which getting plastic surgery might be cost effective. Those cases include:
- Cases of extreme obesity. There are weight reduction surgeries that have been proven to be effective in helping extremely obese people to lose weight. Proper weight loss can have many healthy benefits. People who pay a lot of money for health care because of their problems with obesity may find that it is cost effective to look into plastic surgery to assist them in losing weight. Of course, a proper diet and exercise are necessary components that go along with this surgery but the surgery can be a good jump start. In extreme cases, this may be a good frugal choice.
- Resolving problems that have caused lifelong self esteem issues. In some cases, a person’s life can be greatly improved by a boost to the self esteem. Someone who has major self esteem issues surrounding a very particular physical problem may be empowered by plastic surgery. This isn’t typically the case. However, if you have a scar that reminds you of abuse or a particular bad point in life or you have an abnormality that could be repaired by reconstructive surgery then this might be a good option. If the overall quality of your life can truly be improved by plastic surgery then it may be worth the cost. However, remember that most people’s lives aren’t improved by plastic surgery alone and this should only be one of many options considered for improving your self-esteem.
- Professional benefit. It has been argued by some people that you are more likely to get a job if you appear younger and more attractive to employers. In these economic times, some people say that the cost of plastic surgery is worth it if it means that you are able to get a job. There is a lot of debate around this issue but it’s something that a lot of people do believe.
How to Reduce the Cost of Plastic Surgery
The cost of plastic surgery is very high. If you do decide that it’s something that makes sense for you personally then you will want to try to find ways to reduce the cost. Here are some of your options:
- Medical tourism. This is a very popular option. Plastic surgery is a lot less expensive in some countries than others so people will travel to those countries to get their work done. Even with the cost of travel, the procedure ends up being cheaper. Be aware of the fact that there are always risks that you take when getting a medical procedure done in a foreign country. It’s an option for saving money but it comes with its drawbacks.
- Minimize the amount of surgery that you have done. Work with your plastic surgeon to reduce the amount of surgery that you end up deciding to have done. This will limit your recovery time which means that you’ll be back to work and the rest of life sooner. This lowers the total cost of getting plastic surgery.
- Take out a plastic surgery loan. There are places where you can get a low interest or no interest loan that will allow you access to the money that you need to pay for plastic surgery. You should make sure that you do this instead of using a credit card to pay the fee so that you pay less money in interest. Pay off the loan as quickly as possible. An even better option is to save up the money and pay for the entire procedure up front with cash so that you don’t have to pay any interest at all.
- Shop around. Procedures cost less from some doctors than from others. Shop around. Make sure that you balance a low price with getting a reputable doctor to do the work. It’ll end up costing you more in the end of the doctor botches the job!
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1
f it makes you feel good and you can afford it, why not. I don’t believe people who say it’s awful. Most of these are people who just can’t afford it. Given half the chance I’m sure they’d do it. If the time comes in a few years, I would consider it.