Lili Cordell
Because the enlargement procedure is usually not obligatory, breast augmentation is not a surgery that will be covered by your insurance plan. Unless you have been the victim of breast trauma, you can expect to pay up to $10,000.
Breast Augmentation Cost
The cost of breast augmentation is between $3,000 and $4,000. This amount covers the procedure cost (or surgeon fees) and the implants themselves. Your cost may differ depending on the type of implant you receive. Because of the intricacy of the procedure, silicone implants have been known to cost about $500 more than saline implants.
The procedure cost can also change depending on where the breast implant is located. A breast implant that is placed under the muscle is a procedure that is considerably more expensive then if it is to be placed above the muscle. A surgeon may charge more for this submuscular implant because of the level of difficulty and the time it will take to complete.
Finally, the surgeon may choose to implement a greater fee depending on your body and shape. The amount of fat and muscle in the chest area can increase the level of difficulty in the operation.
Additional costs
There are a variety of additional costs that a patient is expected to pay when undergoing breast enlargement. While procedural costs form the bulk of the final price, almost half of what you pay will be attributed to other fees.
Before the Procedure
Preparatory visits to the doctor will be required. Before the actual operation, you may have to undergo laboratory tests in order to determine the necessity for medications. These tests and medications bring about an additional cost that may not be covered by insurance.
Location
If you choose to have the procedure done in a hospital as opposed to a doctor’s suite, facility fees will be applied. The region where the operation is performed also plays a large part in assessing the total cost. Having the operation performed in a large city with renowned surgeons instead of suburbia will cause the procedure to be significantly more expensive.
Anesthesia
The cost for anesthesia is another required fee. This cost can vary as well, since the amount of anesthesia to be administered is modified constantly to suit each patient’s particular needs. The time it takes for the operation to be completed as well as whether or not the patient is generally anesthetized can cause this fee to amount up to $1,000.
After the Procedure
Medications and pain killers to relieve the soreness and bruising as well as any side effects following the breast augmentation procedure will be imperative. Some insurance companies will assume these costs, but this is rare. Also, your physician may require you to wear special supportive garments, such as sports bras, to minimize bruising and protect the sutures from detachment. These garments are not covered under insurance and may cost up to $100.
Breast Lift
All of these costs are subject to almost double in price should you choose to undergo a breast lift at the same time as the breast enhancement. Many surgeons highly recommend a breast lift to be performed along with a breast augmentation. If a patient receives a breast enhancement and then later chooses to undergo a breast lift, the procedure is a difficult one and may cause complications for the existing implants. It will also cost more, as it is a separate operation with its own additional fees applied to it. Click here to learn more about Breast Lift Surgery.
Gynecomastia
One reason for undergoing breast augmentation that is often deemed necessary by insurance companies is Gynecomastia. This clinical condition that causes abnormal breast size and inconveniences about 20% of men can be reversed by plastic surgery very similar to breast enhancement. The only difference is that implants are not inserted; instead, the surgeon simply tightens the pectoral muscles and removes excess fat. The patient may pay little out of pocket depending on their insurance plan. Click here to learn more about
Gynecomastia.
[page updated December 2008]