Cosmetic surgery financing can be challenging. Unless medically necessary, many plastic surgeries may not be fully covered by insurance. Procedures can cost thousands of dollars and there can be additional factors to consider like interest, repayment timelines, eligibility, and risks. But if it’s a high priority to you, there are options to pay for it. 

From personal and medical credit cards, to 401(k) and home equity loans, to savings and personal loans—we’ll dive into all your options and the considerations to take with each one.

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Can you get a loan for plastic or cosmetic surgery?

Yes. Plastic surgery loans are typically unsecured personal loans which may be used for any type of plastic surgery expenses. Other types of loans and cosmetic surgery financing options may also be available. When deciding which financing method is right for you, it’s important to consider the differences as well as the potential impact on your financial health.

Personal credit cards

Personal credit cards are a convenient way to finance plastic surgery. You may have enough credit to cover the cost of the surgery. If you don’t, you could also apply for a new line of credit. This may be an attractive option if you open a line of credit with a promotional 0% annual percentage rate (APR). The introductory period, however, is limited. If you don’t pay off the balance before the end of that period, you’ll be subject to the card’s standard interest rate. This  could cost you much more in interest payments over time.

Doctor’s payment plans

Some plastic surgeons offer in-house financing options for their patients. Be sure to ask your doctor about the terms and conditions and what interest charges may apply. Keep in mind that if additional procedures are needed, you may need additional cosmetic surgery financing to pay for it.

Medical credit cards

Medical credit cards may provide an easy-to-obtain method of financing for qualified individuals. As with all lending agreements, it’s important to read the fine print. You should also consider that many medical credit cards often come with high interest and extra fees. Different from classic credit cards that offer 0% interest promotions—medical credit cards offer deferred interest that can cause you to owe retroactive interest if you fall behind on payments.

401(k) account loan

You might be able to borrow funds from your own 401(k) retirement account. Loan repayments may then be deducted from your paycheck until the balance is paid off. Although this can be an effective method to finance your plastic surgery, there are additional factors to consider. Not only will you potentially encounter additional taxes and penalties, but there could also be long-term financial downsides. If you leave your job before it’s paid back, for example, you could owe the full amount back in a very short time frame. You will also miss out on potential growth of the account.

Home equity loan

If you are a homeowner, a home equity loan is another possible financing option. The loan uses the value of your home as collateral. Keep in mind that home equity loans may either use a fixed interest rate or a variable rate, which means that your interest rate and your payments might change over the course of the loan. Financing with a home equity loan could be a good option in an emergency.

Savings

If you have enough funds in a savings account, you might consider paying for your procedure directly out of pocket. This would allow you to avoid taking on additional debt and interest payments. Before you decide to go this route, you should take a look at your financial situation and determine how much of an emergency fund you’d like to retain compared to how much the out-of-pocket cost is. Spending your savings means that you may not have access to cash should an emergency occur.

Personal loans

A personal loan is an unsecured loan that may be used for almost any purpose. This option is great for anyone prioritizing predictable payments, structured repayment, or avoiding deferred-interest surprises. 

When comparing a personal loan to your other payment options it’s helpful to remember: 

  • In terms of interest, personal loans offer lower, fixed rates when compared to personal credit cards, doctor’s payment plans, and medical credit cards.
  • Personal loans will not pull from your current savings or retirement accounts like out-of-pocket payments.

With a Discover® personal loan, you can design your loan around your financial situation. Pick the amount you need and the repayment term from options offered to fit your budget. For example, if you get approved for a $15,000 loan at 11.99% APR for a term of 72 months, you'll pay just $293 per month.

Discover Personal Loans also lets you check your rate and monthly payment in just minutes with our check your rate tool, and there’s no impact to your credit score. Plus, funds can be sent as soon as the next business day after your acceptance.

Choosing how to pay for plastic or cosmetic surgery

Like the procedure itself, choosing how to finance cosmetic surgery is a highly personal decision. There are pros and cons to each option, and you should factor in other variables that affect cost like surgery type, location, surgeon, and whether any part is medically necessary.  Each option has the possibility to affect both your personal well-being and financial situation, so you should always understand the risks and benefits of your choices.

As you look for the option that best fits your life and your budget, you can use our Personal Loan Calculator to estimate what your monthly payments would be.

Personal Loan Calculator

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The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be construed as professional advice. Nothing contained in this article shall give rise to, or be construed to give rise to, any obligation or liability whatsoever on the part of Discover, a division of Capital One, N.A., or its affiliates.

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Your APR will be between x and x based on creditworthiness at time of application for amounts between $2,500-$40,000 and loan terms of x-x months. For example, if you get approved for a $15,000 loan at 11.99% APR for a term of 72 months, you'll pay just $293 per month.

You must have a minimum individual or household annual income of $25,000, be over 18 years of age, and have a valid US SSN to be considered for a Discover personal loan. Loan approval is subject to confirmation that your income, debt-to-income ratio, credit history and application information meet all requirements.

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