How much does breast augmentation cost?

There is a plethora of things to consider if you’re thinking about getting breast implants…

Saline or silicone? Under the muscle or over the muscle? Which surgeon should you choose? And, of course, how much do they cost?

Keep Reading to get the low down on the cost of breast augmentation surgery!

Ask the Right Questions

Asking the right questions is the most important thing you can do during your consultation. The following list is a good starting point:

1. How much does the surgery cost?
2. Does that price include everything (implants, post op visits, special garments, etc)?
3. Does that price include a fully trained anesthesiologist and use of an accredited operating facility?
4. Is the entire amount due at once?
5. Are there any financing options available?

Surgeon’s Fees

The fee for your surgeon’s work runs between $3000 – $5000 depending on his or her assessment of how difficult your procedure will be, and how much time it will take. This fee may also be higher with surgeons who have a great deal of experience with breast augmentation.

Implant Fees

Silicone breast implants cost about $2000, and saline implants range from $1200 – $1400. This is an obvious way to save money if you’re OK with the decision to use saline implants, but make sure you have all the information on saline vs silicone before you decide… it’s not only a monetary decision!

Anesthesia Fees

Fees for an anesthesia team and use of an operating facility generally add up to $2000 – $3500 depending on the amount of time your surgeon needs to perform the procedure. Some surgeon’s recommend “awake” breast augmentation surgery that doesn’t require an anesthesiologist. While this is another obvious way to save money, it’s not the safest, or the most comfortable, way to have the operation. An anesthesiologist not only makes sure that your experience is pain-free and enjoyable, but also watches you like a hawk during the procedure, and makes sure that you’re safe, safe, safe!

Additional Fees to Know About

1. Special garments: Some surgeons require you to purchase special bras or garments before surgery. Make sure you ask whether or not the garments are necessary, how much they cost, and if there are any less expensive alternatives.
2. Labwork: Some surgeons require a basic set of blood work before the procedure. Most of the time your insurance company will cover these tests, but not always.
3. Mammogram: If you haven’t had a mammogram within 12 months of your surgery date, you’ll need to get one. Mammograms will usually be covered by your insurance company, but sometimes they aren’t.
4. Post-op Complications: This is one area that is sometimes overlooked during your consultation. Complications like bleeding and infection are extremely rare with breast augmentation surgery, but they do happen. If you experience one of these complications and need to be seen in an emergency room (or hospitalized), you may be responsible for the bill. Some insurance companies will cover incidents like these even though the procedure is classified as “cosmetic”, but many won’t. Talk to your surgeon about these possible fees, and make sure you’re comfortable with his or her explanation before you proceed.

Financing Options

Most reputable plastic surgeons offer at least one financing plan through organizations like Care Credit. If you have a reasonable credit score, chances are that you’ll qualify for a great financing plan, some of which even offer a 6-12 month period of 0% interest!

The Bottom Line

The average total cost of breast augmentation surgery ranges from $6000 – $10,000 depending on all the factors above, your surgeon’s geographic location, and your surgeon’s level of experience.

If you come across prices that seem too good to be true, be suspicious! Make sure that surgeons offering low prices are fully trained plastic surgeons (many are not). Make sure that the price being advertised includes all of the fees listed above. And make sure that the price includes an anesthesiologist to watch over you during the procedure.

Breast augmentation surgery is consistently the most popular cosmetic procedure in the country, but it is real surgery and should be taken very seriously. The worst mistake you can make is to bargain shop for the cheapest price. First and foremost, you want to be safe, and after that, you want to love your result!

Click here to see Before & After photos!

Nicholas Vendemia, M.D.

Plastic Surgeon, New York City

MAS / Manhattan Aesthetic Surgery

www.ManhattanAestheticSurgery.com

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Photo Credit: iStockphoto

NOTICE: None of the celebrities or individuals discussed here have ever received treatment, surgery, medical advice, or evaluations from any author, physician, surgeon, or representative of this blog. All images and photos in this article represent models only. No actual patients or clients are shown.