When you begin to consider the idea of a breast augmentation, the cost of the procedure is often one of the first thoughts to cross your mind. In our digital age, your first course of action may have been to search the internet for more information — but you have probably found that there is little or no information regarding the cost of the procedure. The reason you cannot find an exact price is that breast augmentation is a very patient-specific procedure. Many small factors play into how much your surgery will cost, and it’s impossible to know what these are without talking to a plastic surgeon in person. During a consultation, your surgeon will perform an exam and then determine the ideal approach to help you achieve your goals. Based on this surgical plan, you will be able to gain a clearer picture of the cost and how you might make changes that better fit your budget.
In addition to your personal enhancement goals, it’s important to understand that breast augmentation costs differ based on several factors, namely the surgeon, the geographic location, the type of surgical facility, the number of procedures being performed at that time and the type of implants used. The information in this guide will help you understand the unique variables at play when determining the cost of breast augmentation.
Surgeon Selection
Choosing the right surgeon to enhance your appearance is the most critical decision you will make and will be a primary factor in how much your surgery costs. Education, training and experience very important and you should never choose a surgeon who is not properly trained and experienced to save on surgical costs. For you to achieve the best results possible and to help ensure you your procedure is performed safely, you need a surgeon who has the knowledge, expertise and artistic eye to perform a high-quality breast augmentation. Plus, revision surgery can be even more expensive than primary breast augmentation, so choosing a qualified surgeon who will perform a procedure with lasting results can save you money in the long run.
When you choose a surgeon, you should consider the following:
- Board-certification
- The surgeon’s education and training
- The number of years the surgeon has been in practice
- Before and after photos
- Patient reviews
- Recommendations from trusted sources who have had breast augmentation
Surgical Facility
Where your procedure is performed will also impact cost. Because your safety is the most important factor during the procedure, choosing a surgeon who operates in an accredited facility is essential. These centers are held to the highest standards of sterility and safety, ensuring that you have the best possible experience with the lowest risk of surgical complications. Many plastic surgeons have private accredited surgical facilities; these surgeons may charge a premium since they maintain the space themselves, but for some breast augmentation clients the added privacy and convenience for the patient and family are well worth the cost.
Geographic Location
The cost of breast augmentation varies by geographic area. In metropolitan areas where the cost of living is higher and plastic surgery is popular — like in New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas or Miami — you may find that cosmetic surgical prices are significantly higher. If you live in an area where surgery is more expensive, you might consider having your procedure in a city with lower prices. If you do travel to a different city, either by car or plane, you might consider staying in the local area for 2-3 days to ensure access to your surgeon should your need to see them to address issues that may arise in the immediate post-operative period.
The Number of Procedures Being Performed
Some patients consider adding additional procedures to breast augmentation, such as a breast lift, liposuction or a tummy tuck. Although additional procedures will increase the overall cost, most plastic surgeons offer discounts for the individual procedures if all are performed in a single operation. Consolidating the procedure in a single operation will often be more cost-effective than having separate procedures performed in multiple operations. Combined surgeries mean one charge for general anesthesia, one facility charge, one team of healthcare professionals and one recovery period. You should ask your surgeon which combination of procedures will help you best achieve your long-term goals in the most cost-effective way possible.
Surgery-Related Expenses
There are a number of factors that affect the cost of the procedure. These include:
- The type of breast implants used- silicone implants are more expensive that saline implants and the highly-cohesive (gummy bear) implants cost more than less cohesive gel implants
- The type of anesthesia- general anesthesia is more expensive than IV sedation
- The training of the anesthetic provider, a physician anesthesiologist will be more expensive than a nurse anesthetist
- The cost of prescription medications prescribed to manage post-operative discomfort
- The cost of compression garments provided to help decrease post-operative bruising and swelling
Insurance and Financing
Breast augmentation is a cosmetic procedure and therefore it is not covered by standard health insurance plans. Most plastic surgeons, however, offer financing options. These programs offer convenient payment options, and most of the finance companies have plans that have a no interest component if the full amount is paid over a specified period of time.
Several factors affect the cost of breast augmentation. During your consultation, your surgeon will help you navigate the process to help ensure that you meet your aesthetic goals in a way that you can afford. If you are interested in breast augmentation in Coralville, Iowa City or Cedar Rapids or in the Cedar Falls or Waterloo areas please contact Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery to schedule an appointment at 319-800-6877.
