Breast Implants Cost

Last Updated on September 20, 2023 | Written by CPA Alec Pow
First Published on May 5, 2014 | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popivker

The question about the cost of breast implants is and will remain one of the most common questions cosmetic surgeons will be asked.

It may seem like a question with a simple answer, but there can’t be a single, straightforward answer for it.

There are many things to take into consideration before figuring out the real cost of breast implants.

The factors that influence the cost of the implants include:

Location

The location will in fact dictate the price up to a point, like when buying food at a restaurant or trying to buy a house. You could end up paying more for breast implants if you’re in a more affluent area. That happens because the surgeon is very likely to pay higher fees for his office and operating room than a surgeon working in a cheaper location.

But consider the fact that if you live in a remote area you will most likely pay more for breast implants because there will be fewer surgeons to do these kinds of procedures.

Facility Charges

Facility charges are closely related to the location. You should never opt for a surgeon that will do the surgery in a shady room located in the back of his office.

You should opt for a surgeon that can and will operate on you inside a real working hospital that has surgery rooms. If the hospital is fully prepared, the surgeon will be able to overcome any emergencies that arise from the operation. Although going through the surgery in a hospital operating room is a must, it will bring additional costs to the final price.

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Surgeon’s Fees for Breast Augmentation

Plastic surgeons charge anywhere from $2,400 and up to $6,700 for their services on a normal breast augmentation procedure. This fee will be dependent on the surgeon’s sense of self-worth, level of expertise, level of difficulty of the procedure, level of demand for his/her services, and how much time the surgery will take.

There are also some patient factors, like the patient’s age and health condition.

When you search for the perfect plastic surgeon, take into account that qualified surgeons will be highly trained and will spend a longer period of time studying and in residency, than other medical professionals. This can only mean that a real plastic surgeon will charge visibly more than unprepared medical professionals.

Real plastic surgeons in the United States will be certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS).

Some medical professionals will try to move from their specializations to plastic surgery, in an attempt to receive higher fees. Such professionals can include family practice MDs, gynecologists, or ER medicine practitioners and even though these are also qualified doctors, they cannot be called qualified plastic surgeons. This means they will not be included in the ABPS. ABPS not to be confused with the American Board of Medical Specialties Boards (ABMS), which is something different.

Also, try to find out if your preferred surgeon has plastic surgery privileges at any local hospital. That could be a sign that he is a trusted and qualified surgeon. If you can’t find any information regarding this subject, it may be a sign that the surgeon is not trusted by hospitals, which is usually a bad sign.

Type of Procedure/Incision

Overall costs will be affected by the type of incisions you opt for.

The 5 known incision types that are commonly used are transabdominal, transumbilical, transaxillary, periareolar, and inframammary.

The type of pocket placements will also be seen in the final cost. These include subglandular, subfascial, subpectoral, and submuscular.

Implant Fees

The overall cost of the procedure will be influenced by the cost of the implants themselves. Silicone implants can cost $2,300 and up to $3,500 and in some situations can even go over the $3,500 mark.

You might also like our articles on the cost of breast reduction surgery, buttock augmentation surgery, or lip augmentation surgery.

On the other hand, saline implants are cheaper and will cost anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000. The cost of the implants will be dependent on the size, quality, and manufacturer, although the difference won`t be a big one.

Anesthesia Fees

There are various options for your anesthesia and this will have a direct impact on the fee you will be charged. The cheapest option is for your surgeon to be the one to administer the anesthesia. This is a risky option and should be avoided.

The second option is to use a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). This is a better option than using a surgeon but it may get expensive since most jurisdictions require that the CRNA must be supervised by a doctor.

The best option for your safety and comfort would be to use an anesthesiologist. This is a qualified MD who specializes in anesthetics.

Lab Tests

Most surgeons will have you go for some lab tests before the procedure is done. These may include a basic blood work set and a pregnancy test.

Needless to say, not many plastic surgeons will be willing to work on a pregnant woman. These tests will present an additional cost before the implants are inserted.

Mammogram

Though some insurance companies will cover it, you may have to pay additional fees for a mammogram before the procedure. This is especially so if you haven’t had a mammogram within the last 12 months.

Special Garments

You may be required to buy some special items of clothing such as surgical bras before the procedure. These will increase the costs of your breast implant.

Complications

The procedure for a breast implant is surgery and should be taken as seriously as all other surgical procedures.

You may have to set aside some extra money just in case something goes wrong and you require some additional procedures to correct complications that may arise.

Total Costs of Breast Implants

When thinking of the final price, after taking all of the above into consideration, you can expect to pay a final cost of breast implants in the range of $5,500 and $17,000.

Typical charges are from $6,500 up to $11,000, so you should avoid opting for the cheapest surgeons and or the ones charging very high fees.

Should the average working Jane get breast implants?

We are all beautiful creatures in our own way. If for some reason you feel physically inadequate or have very low self-esteem, then it would be a great idea to talk to a therapist first, before spending thousands on breast augmentation. If on the other hand increasing your breast size could help your career as an actor or model, or if you went through surgery and want to get your old looks back, then breast implants could helpful. They are pretty expensive, so before going through the surgery, be sure you have the necessary funds, and that by spending them you won`t risk your financial safety.

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Alec Pow

CEO at ThePricer Media

Alec Pow is a thorough and methodical Financial and Business Analyst with over 15 years of experience in financial statement analysis, Foreign exchange derivative hedging instruments analysis, modeling, and risk management, with a long history of writing for big news publications like Forbes, MSN.com, Washington Post, and many more.