Cost is extremely important if you live in the Chicago area and you're thinking about having plastic surgery done. Prices vary significantly by the type of plastic surgery procedure you want. Generally in the Chicago area, prices tend to be higher than the national average since there is so much demand and since it is a major metropolitan center. It's a bit cheaper than LA, but if you want to truly transform yourself via plastic surgery, you're going to have to pay.

The more high-profile plastic surgery procedures are going to cost you more. For breast augmentation in Chicago, for example, you can expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $8,000, based on the national average for breast augmentation plastic surgery. Chicago is slightly more expensive than the national average prices.

Should you avoid something that costs $10,000 or something that costs only $3,000? No, those prices are both fine because they're close to this range of national average prices. If, however, you see breast augmentation plastic surgery for $50,000 or see it for $500, you should rightfully be suspicious. The $500 one will likely not be performed by a licensed practitioner and the $50,000 one will be someone trying to rip you off. Use your judgment and make sure you consult with your doctor and friends on anything you do.

For liposuction, the cost depends on how many areas the operation is performed in. For 1 area you can expect to pay $2,500 - $4,500; for 3 areas expect $5,500 - $7,000 and for 5+ areas you can expect to pay $8,000 - $10,000 or even more. No one ever said plastic surgery was cheap. In general the rule of thumb is to add $1,000 for each area in which you have the plastic surgery performed. Liposuction is a serious operation and you will pay serious amounts to have it done correctly.

For facelifts, a reasonable price range is $7,000 - $9,000. While the area operated on with a facelift is smaller than a breast augmentation or liposuction, the face is a far more delicate area. If there's a mistake with liposuction it will affect only a part of your body that people rarely see, but with a facelift your face may show scars forever. You should pay to have it done correctly.

For more minor plastic surgery, such as spider vein or tattoo removal, you can expect to pay under $1,000. For more extensive surgery, such as tummy tucks, however, you will pay on par with the rates referenced above. Always use your common sense and judgment when deciding on a plastic surgeon - with something as important as your body, it's better to pay a little extra and get the quality you deserve.

Also, don't hesitate to negotiate when picking the right plastic surgeon in Chicago for you! Sometimes you can save 10-20% on the cost if you are assertive and state upfront what you're looking for.