Why the Cheapest Plastic Surgeon Isn't Actually the Best Deal
When you're researching plastic surgery in Denver, prices for the same procedure can vary between surgeons. The same surgery can come with two very different price tags. So which one are you supposed to pick?
The price you're quoted reflects who's operating, where the surgery happens, what's included before and after surgery, and how prepared the team is if something goes wrong. Choosing your plastic surgeon by price alone often costs more in the long run, sometimes far more.
In this blog, we break down what a quote actually covers, the credentials that matter (and the ones designed to look like they do), the red flags that should slow you down, and the questions to ask before you book your procedure.
Why does the same procedure cost different amounts
Surgeon training and credentials
While some practices may offer lower pricing, the depth of training and the level of involvement and commitment in your care are what’s behind a quote. Only a small fraction of board-certified plastic surgeons complete an advanced, competitive, year-long fellowship in aesthetics, taught by senior aesthetic surgeons and focused exclusively on aesthetic plastic surgery.
An aesthetic fellowship is a rigorous program for board-certified or board-eligible plastic surgeons, focused exclusively on aesthetic plastic surgery procedures of the face, breast, and body. Most fellows complete 300 or more procedures during the program, working alongside senior aesthetic surgeons in an intensive, high-volume setting.
Only a small fraction of board-certified plastic surgeons complete one. Dr. Aline Rau is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and aesthetic fellowship-trained.
Where your surgery happens
Surgery performed in an accredited surgical facility is held to specific standards for safety, equipment, monitoring, emergency response, and staffing. A procedure performed in a non-accredited office or hotel room is not.
Anesthesia
The person handling your anesthesia should be a board-certified anesthesiologist. Low-priced quotes often mean undertrained staff, lower drug-monitoring standards, and fewer safety mechanisms. Ask directly: who is administering my anesthesia, and what are their credentials?
Plastic surgeon vs. cosmetic surgeon: what the title actually means
A board-certified plastic surgeon and a "cosmetic surgeon" don't share the same training. A 2017 Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery study surveyed more than 5,000 people and found 87% couldn’t reliably tell the two apart.
What "board-certified plastic surgeon" actually requires
Board certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is the credential to look for. ABPS certification requires:
A degree from an accredited medical school
Six or more years of post-medical-school surgical training, with at least three years dedicated to plastic surgery residency (most surgeons today complete a six- to eight-year integrated program)
Passing both written and oral board examinations
Continuing medical education every year to maintain certification
What does "cosmetic surgeon" mean
A doctor who refers to themselves as a “cosmetic surgeon” is someone with an unrelated specialty who has added a short cosmetic-surgery course. They do not hold appropriate board certifications and have minimal, sometimes none, plastic surgery training and knowledge.
The questions to ask before you compare prices
Bring this list to your consultation:
Are you board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
Did you complete an aesthetic fellowship? Where?
Where will my surgery be performed?
Who administers anesthesia?
How many of these specific procedures do you perform per year?
How are after-hours complications handled?
What's included in the quote, and what else can I expect?
Revision surgery costs more than the original. An hour-long primary procedure can become a three-hour revision or several revisions. Patients who choose the lowest quote and then need a revision often end up spending more overall.
How Amavi approaches pricing
Amavi's pricing reflects the level of training, expertise, and care behind each procedure. When the gap between two estimates is meaningful, it usually reflects a difference in surgeon training, in surgeon involvement across the patient's care, or in what the estimate actually includes.
Every surgery is performed by Dr. Aline Rau, a board-certified plastic surgeon with aesthetic fellowship training specifically in cosmetic surgery. You see Dr. Aline Rau at your consultation, and you see her at every post-op visit. The continuity is part of what you're paying for.
You'll spend 75 minutes with Dr. Aline Rau in your consultation. That's enough time to discuss the procedure or treatment your consultation is booked for in detail. You'll leave with an estimate specific to it. If you're curious about more than one procedure, or interested in treatments that might pair well with what you came in for, mention everything when you book.
Patients often arrive interested in a specific procedure, and Dr. Aline Rau may suggest a different one or an add-on for a better overall outcome. Your estimate may change based on what comes up in the conversation. We want to be sure enough time is allocated to cover everything you have in mind.
The goal: results that look natural, age well, and feel worth the investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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One of the biggest factors is surgeon training, as well as where the surgery is performed, the anesthesia fees, and what's bundled into the quote. Two quotes for the same procedure rarely include the same line items.
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A board-certified plastic surgeon completes at least six years of post-medical-school surgical training, with a minimum of three years dedicated to plastic surgery residency, and passes both written and oral examinations from the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). "Cosmetic surgeon" is not a legally protected title, any licensed physician can use it regardless of their actual training.
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The savings look meaningful on paper, but the risk profile shifts. Recovery in a foreign country, limited recourse for complications, inconsistent facility accreditation standards, and difficulty securing follow-up care once you're home are all part of the equation.
Revision surgery, when needed, usually happens domestically anyway, at full domestic pricing on top of what was already spent abroad.
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If you're considering more than one procedure, or curious about treatments that may pair well with what you came in for, mention everything when you book. Each consultation at Amavi runs 75 minutes, and Dr. Aline Rau often suggests add-ons that produce better outcomes for what you're trying to achieve.
Naming everything upfront lets her plan the time and the estimate around your full set of interests, not just the headline procedure.
Take The Next Step
If you're researching surgeons in Denver and want a transparent estimate, schedule your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Aline Rau. Bring whatever you've gathered. We'll walk through it together.
Serving Denver & The Rocky Mountain Region
Amavi Aesthetic Surgery is conveniently located in the heart of the South Denver corridor. We are proud to serve patients throughout the Greater Denver Metro area.
