As a woman considering breast augmentation, one thing you might be wondering about is how much the surgery will cost. Since it is a cosmetic procedure, breast augmentation is typically not covered by insurance providers, meaning the cost of the surgery is usually the responsibility of the patient.
Breast augmentation costs can vary considerably based on the location of the surgical practice, the skill of the surgeon, and the type of implants used. During your consultations with prospective plastic surgeons, it’s a good idea to discuss all of the factors that influence the price of the surgery.
You can also discuss payment options or ways to make breast augmentation work within your budget. Keep in mind that there are several services you are paying for when you pay for breast augmentation. These include:
Implant Cost
Implants come in a range of shapes and sizes. They can be filled with saline or silicone and they can have a smooth or textured shell.
Each factor affects the cost of the implant. For example, saline implants usually have a lower price tag than silicone. Larger implants are often more expensive than smaller ones.
Although cost is a consideration, it shouldn’t be the only thing on your mind when you are deciding on the type of implants to get. For example, even though saline implants are the more budget-friendly pick, silicone implants are more popular and are now used in the majority of breast augmentation surgeries.
There are a few reasons for this increased popularity. Silicone implants often feel and look more natural than saline. Additionally, saline implants can cause the skin to ripple while silicone implants typically do not.
Although breast implant price is something to consider, it shouldn’t be the deciding factor when you’re weighing the pros and cons of silicone versus saline implants.
Anesthesia Fees
Breast augmentation is typically performed with the patient under general anesthesia. The anesthesia needs to be given by a board-certified anesthesiologist. Anesthesia fees associated with the surgery usually include the cost of the anesthetic and the cost of the anesthesiologist’s services.
Surgeon and Facility Fees
Location matters when you’re having breast augmentation. Most breast augmentation surgeries are not performed in a hospital, but instead in an outpatient surgical facility.
For your safety, the facility should be accredited and licensed. If the surgical facility fee seems low, do some more research as this is one cost you definitely do not want to cut corners on.
Another cost you don’t want to cut corners on is the surgeon’s fee. A less experienced plastic surgeon or a surgeon who doesn’t specialize in breast surgery might charge less than a plastic surgeon with decades of experience in breast augmentation.
Think about it this way: you can go to a salon and choose to have the stylist-in-training or junior stylist cut your hair for a lower price than having a master stylist or salon owner work their magic. But you take the risk of having your haircut come out not quite right.
The stakes are higher with breast augmentation. If you choose the surgeon who charges less but has less experience, there is a greater chance of complications or poor results. It’s better to pay more upfront for the skill and talent of an experienced surgeon than it is to pay less and have additional surgeries to fix any issues later on.
Medications
After breast augmentation, your plastic surgeon will most likely write you a prescription for pain medications to help you manage any discomfort you may experience. The cost of the medications is another expense to consider when determining the price of your surgery.
Time Off From Work
Depending on your work situation, you might need to include the cost of the time you take off from work in your overall budget for breast augmentation. If you do not have paid time off from your job or if you don’t have enough paid time off to cover the time you would need to recover after surgery, include the salary or wages you’ll miss out on after surgery as part of the price tag.
Other Costs Associated With Breast Augmentation
Along with time off from work, there are some additional costs you might need to budget for before having breast augmentation. Those costs can include:
- Additional child or pet care: If you have pets or kids, you might want to hire someone to keep an eye on them while you recover from the surgery. If you don’t already pay a regular babysitter or pet sitter, the cost of hiring someone can be an additional expense.
- New clothes: While you can skip the bra during the first weeks of recovery after breast augmentation, you’ll most likely need to buy new bras at some point to fit your new breasts. You might also have to buy new tops and dresses, which can add up.
- Food: You might not feel like prepping your own meals during your recovery and may need to rely on takeout or ready-made food. Depending on your usual habits and budget, you might find yourself spending more on food than usual.
- Home care: Depending on your living situation, you might want to hire someone to help you out around the house during the first few days or weeks after surgery.
Breakdown of Breast Surgery Costs by Implant Type
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of breast augmentation was $3,947 in 2019. That figure doesn’t include surgical facility fees or anesthesia fees, so it only tells part of the story.
The type of implants you get or the type of breast surgery you choose to have can affect the cost of the procedure. Although cost shouldn’t be the determining factor when you’re deciding which type of surgery or what type of implants are right for you, it is something to keep in mind and to prepare for.
Average Cost of Breast Augmentation with Saline Implants
Saline implants have been around since 1965. They experienced a steep rise in popularity when silicone implants were taken off the market since they were the only option at the time – although silicone has since regained the top spot.
Even so, some women still prefer the look and feel of saline implants. The implants are inserted into the chest and are then filled with saline solution. Saline implants give the breast a rounder, firmer look – creating a lovely chest that sits perfectly on the body.
The cost of breast augmentation with saline implants: $5,000-$6,000.
Average Cost of Breast Augmentation with Silicone Implants
While silicone implants were off of the market for a short time in the 1990s, they have been proven to be safe and even carry a lower incidence of leakage than their saline counterparts.
Silicone implants look very natural on the chest, moving well with position changes. They tend to look softer and feel more organic than saline implants.
The cost of breast augmentation with silicone implants: $6,000-$6,500.
Average Cost of Breast Augmentation with a Breast Lift
A breast lift is often combined with a breast augmentation procedure. If your breast tissue has started to sag or droop – either from childbirth, heavy breasts, or aging – a breast lift will reposition the breasts on the chest wall for a more youthful, “perky” appearance. A breast lift can be performed on its own, or in combination with an augmentation with breast implants.
The cost of breast augmentation and breast lift: $11,000 – $13,500.
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Cost
Implants aren’t your only option if you want to enhance your breasts. Some people prefer to use fat transfer for breast augmentation.
Fat transfer takes fat from one area of the body and injects it into the breasts to increase their volume. For the right patient, it can be a win-win. An area with too much fat gets slimmed down while the breasts are enhanced.
The fat transfer procedure is somewhat different from the implant procedure. First, the surgeon harvests the fat. After cleaning and separating it using a special machine, they inject it into the breasts.
The cost of fat transfer is also different from the cost of breast augmentation with implants. The more fat that needs to be harvested, the higher the price tag.
The cost of fat transfer breast augmentation: $6,500 — $13,000.
How to Pay for Breast Augmentation
You’ve crunched the numbers and have come up with a best-guess estimate for the cost of your breast augmentation. The question remains: How will you pay for the surgery and all the associated costs?
You have multiple options. Option one is to pay for everything upfront, in cash. That option might not work for your budget.
Option two is to wait and save up until you have the money needed to pay in full. Doing that could delay your surgery, perhaps indefinitely.
A third option that is likely to work with most people’s budgets is to finance the surgery. Dr. Vitenas offers patients two financing options designed specifically for healthcare. Alphaeon and CareCredit work similarly to traditional credit cards but also offer interest-free financing options to qualified borrowers.
Benefits of Breast Augmentation Financing
If you aren’t sure whether financing your breast augmentation is the best option, it can be helpful to review some of the benefits of getting financing.
- No down payment: Many financing plans let you finance 100% of the cost of the surgery, so you don’t have to worry about putting money down upfront.
- Monthly payments available: Financing lets you spread out the cost of the surgery into affordable monthly payments.
- Low-interest financing available: Depending on your credit history and the type of financing you choose, you might get a lower interest rate than if you paid for your surgery with a credit card or personal loan.
- Lets you get plastic surgery sooner rather than later: Choosing to finance breast augmentation means that you can have your surgery now and enjoy the results right away, rather than at some point in the future.
Will Insurance Ever Cover Breast Surgery?
When performed for cosmetic reasons, insurance will most likely not cover breast augmentation. That doesn’t mean insurance will never cover breast surgery, though.
If you are considering breast reconstruction with implants, there is a chance your insurance policy might pay for some or all of the procedure, according to WebMD. Your best bet is to check with your provider first, to find out what it covers and what you need to do to get coverage.
Should You Look for a Deal When Getting Breast Augmentation?
It often pays to shop around. When it comes to breast augmentation and the prices of breast implants, though, that wisdom might not hold true.
Cheaper usually isn’t better when you’re considering breast augmentation. A surgeon that offers a discount or special deal on surgery might seem more appealing than one who charges higher fees.
But remember that you often get what you pay for. In the case of implants, a lower price can mean a higher risk of complications. Always vet your plastic surgeon and do thorough research before deciding to schedule your procedure.
A price that seems too good to be true usually is, especially in the realm of plastic surgery.
FAQs
How much a “boob job” aka breast augmentation costs depends on multiple factors, including the surgeon, the type of implants, and the facility where the surgery will be performed. You can expect to pay several thousand dollars for the surgery.
As with breast augmentation, the cost of a breast lift varies based on location, surgeon, and several other factors. You can ask for a quote when you schedule a consultation at a surgeon’s practice.
Breast implants vary in price based on material, shape, and size. Saline implants tend to run a bit cheaper than silicone.
Breast augmentation in Texas is likely to have a different price than in California. The local economy, cost of living, and taxes all influence the price of the surgery. If you’re considering traveling to save money on breast augmentation, don’t forget to account for the cost of travel in your budget.
Ideally, you don’t want to look for the cheapest breast implants. Quality and expertise matter much more than cost when it comes to breast surgery. Going the cheap route can increase your risk of complications later, making the surgery more expensive in the long run.
What if I can’t afford the full breast augmentation cost upfront?
You have options if you can’t pay for breast augmentation in full right away. You can use your credit card to pay for the surgery or get financing from your surgeon’s practice.
Experience and expertise matter when you’re considering breast augmentation. Dr. Paul Vitenas is a Houston-based plastic surgeon with more than 30 years of experience performing breast surgeries. He’ll review your surgical and implant options with you to help you choose the one that works best with your goals and your budget.
Call 972-737-7477 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Vitenas today.