Recession rhinoplasties; low cash flow lipo
A single gallon of gas in Chicago currently costs most than a sandwich, chips and a Coke. A ticket to fly – coach! – to my brother in LA is over $400. Money is tight. People are canceling Netflix, cutting coupons and pinching pennies.
It all makes me wonder: What’s an US Weekly-reading Recessionista to do when it comes to looking her best? If a new Coach bag is out of the question, what does that means for one’s quarterly Botox shots or a post-baby tummy tuck?
I rang up (on a Sunday – free cell minutes!) Robert Kotler, MD, author of Secrets of a Beverly Hills Cosmetic Surgeon: The Expert's Guide to Safe, Successful Surgery and asked him how to reconcile frugality with fabulosity.
In this hard-knock economy, what option are available to a prematurely wrinkling gal who craves a taut forehead but still needs to pay the mortgage?
“We know people like Botox for many reasons, including the fact that it’s very elective. If your budget is a little tight, you can still enjoy the benefits - just lengthen then interval between shots. That may leave you with some wrinkles but it’s not the end of the world. Instead of every four to six months, come in every six to eight months. Make it a little treat. And instead of multiple areas, go from four down to two – maybe your forehead and the frown line between your eyes but take a pass on your squint lines. That can shave the cost a fair amount.”
“The reality is, people like what they get (with cosmetic surgery) and you hate to give up something you like. So you compromise. Maybe you won’t take that two-day vacation to Palm Springs. It is a priority to some people because looks are important to them. And if you spread the cost over the months in which the fillers or Botox is in place, it makes sense. If it’s $750 per session, but it lasts six months, that comes out to $100/month or so. That’s the cost to go out to eat! So eat at home one night. Frankly, for me, a meal is something that comes and goes…this lasts four to six months.”
Your practice is now offering “friends and family” group discounts. Does that mean my mom and I can finally get matching butt implants?
“This practice has been going on for a long time and it works for people. And anytime you introduce efficiency into a practice, that dollar benefit can be shared with the patients. When two sisters come in and want to have their noses done, we can have the consultation with both at the same time; on the day of surgery, [you only need] one single explanation [of the procedure]. They can even share a room for recovery, maybe say, ‘Let’s have a little fun here and stay in the same room.’ It becomes a nice and special event in their life that they’ll always remember.
We had a great mother-daughter duo, both school teachers. The mother accompanied her daughter for the original consultation. The daughter had crooked nose, couldn’t breathe well. When we explained the whole thing, the mother said, ‘You know, I kind of have the same problem.’ We showed both of them what they would look like with computer imaging and they were both interested. Each received a 30% discount. That’s huge. They saved thousands of dollars. And the other sister picked them up after surgery and took them home. Friends come in and the nice thing is, you can support one another. Cousins, couples. There isn’t anybody who doesn’t mind saving money – it doesn’t matter if you’re rich or not.”
Can you get lipo on layaway?
“Absolutely. This is based on the department store Christmas layaway plan. Patients can schedule far in advance and make monthly payments. This was in response to some people who were saying they had trouble with [a flat] payment. This is the answer. Whether it be six months, a year, the patient can make payments, spreading out the burden on themselves and budgeting for it, putting it away. We’re glad to give them up to a 20% discount depending on the lead time because, as the accountants would say, we have the use of their money. We’re giving a discount and can afford to –it’s basic cash-flow money management.”
And what’s a “Stand by” fee?
“Airlines used to offer student stand bys to fill in empty seats. Now, if patients are flexible, they can fill a surgery schedule opening. For example, Thursday, we do noses. And we have four slots, typically filled four weeks ahead of time. But if 10 days before, a patient calls to reschedule, now there’s a vacancy in the schedule. We’re glad, if someone has said, ’If you have an opening, I have flexibility,’ to do that. If they can slide into that slot, they should be rewarded for that. Scheduling is very important - open slots are income lost. If we have a means to fill that, everyone is happy and the patient can benefit, up to a 20% discount.
PS Dr. Kotler has a fabulous sense of humor about all of this and recently sent himself up on Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show. Check it out:
Comments
I know that people care a lot about looking good, and it's important to make an effort. I'm all for plastic surgery if it's correcting a problem (like not being able to breathe well, or to reconstruct after surgery or an accident).
But what I don't get is that why people would feel the need to have vanity plastic surgery if they don't necessarily have the budget for it. Maybe it's just that I have different priorities, so to each their own. But I'd much rather go for the weekend away and have a few lines on my face (laugh lines are a good thing right?). Or maybe I'm just saying that because I haven't been that age yet. I suppose it's different once you get there...
(Also, when I say it's important to make an effort, I'm more meaning to say through presenting yourself well with clothing and hair and makeup and keeping fit, to whatever level you feel most comfortable. Not surgery)
Love the clip!
I tend to agree with Lethological on this. I used to work near Beverly Hills, and the women there scared me. The natural look, wrinkles, sagging and all, is MUCH more attractive than the constantly surprised, half-paralyzed, deer-in-the-headlights look, IMHO.
I have to laugh at the layaway plan. what if someone gets lipo, on layaway, and then gains all the fat back before they pay it off? is there some kind of protection plan for that? (yes, I am feeling a bit snarky today!)
video clip was great!
Very nice clip! :)
Um... I don't vacay in Palm Springs ever. Could I cut something else? Like, say, food? Oooh - then I'd be botoxed AND thin! Double win!! My kids might get hungry but whatevs, they whine all the time. I'll just buy them that "Pretty Mommy" book for Christmas. Of course, I'll have to find it at the thrift store.
I know that people care a lot about looking good, and it's important to make an effort. I'm all for plastic surgery if it's correcting a problem.
My name is Diana Lee and i would like to show you my personal experience with Botox.
I have suffered with migraines and neck pain for many years. Botox has given me my life back. I have arthritis in my neck and Botox is the ONLY thing that has given me relief.
Side Effects-
Noneâ¦miracle drug
I hope this information will be useful to others,
Diana Lee
