How Much Breast Augmentation Costs, According to Plastic Surgeons
Thinking about getting the girls done? You’re probably already deciding on implant size, shape, and what you want your results to look like. But first, there’s one major question to address: how much does a breast augmentation cost? Working out your budget is an important first step before booking surgery, but it’s just as important to understand what goes into the final price. While you’ll often see a surgeon’s fee listed online, that doesn’t always reflect everything included in the final bill.
As you might expect, breast augmentation pricing can vary quite a bit from one patient to the next. The surgeon you choose, where the procedure takes place, the type of implants used, anesthesia, facility fees, and any pre- or post-operative care can account for a sizable chunk of what you end up paying. You’ll also run into practices that bundle most expenses into one quote and others that break everything out separately. All of which is to say, breast augmentation doesn’t really come with a universal price tag.
As you compare surgeons, consultations, and quotes, here are a few things to keep in mind as you figure out how much breast augmentation costs and what you’re actually paying for.
Meet the Expert
How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost?
Generally speaking, the average surgeon’s fee for cosmetic breast augmentation in the U.S. is about $4,875, according to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. In New York City specifically, Dr. Zweifler says total costs can start around $15,000 and, depending on the surgeon, climb as high as $50,000 at some practices with post-op nurses and luxury hotels. Her figure is specific to the New York market rather than a starting price for every surgeon in the country.
It’s also important to distinguish a surgeon’s advertised fee from the total cost of surgery. “Most of the surgeries include a surgeon fee, an anesthesia fee, and a facility fee,” says Dr. Zweifler, adding that mesh internal bras and fat grafting add to the amount. The implants themselves carry a cost as well. So, when we talk about paying $15,000, $20,000, or considerably more for an augmentation, that number can represent several separate expenses collected under one quote.
Experience is another part of the equation. “You pay for someone’s expertise to try to achieve the best results possible for you,” Dr. Zweifler says. Of course, a higher price alone doesn’t tell you whether one surgeon is better than another. But when comparing estimates, we would look at more than the number at the bottom of the page—namely, who is performing the surgery and exactly which expenses have been included.
What Affects the Price
The implant itself is one place where costs can differ. According to Dr. Zweifler, silicone implants are more expensive than saline implants, so two otherwise similar augmentations may not carry the same price simply because different implants are being used. The surgical setting can create another difference. “A hospital is more expensive than an office-based [operating room] or surgery center,” she says, which means the facility portion of your quote will depend partly on where the operation is performed.
It’s also fairly common for a surgeon to recommend more than implants after examining your breasts. “Some people think they’re just coming for breast augmentation, but they actually need a breast lift,” says Dr. Zweifler. In that case, the patient is no longer paying for an augmentation alone. Combining a lift with implants requires more operating time and additional work from the surgeon, which Dr. Zweifler says can increase the surgical fee as well as anesthesia and facility costs.
An implant-only augmentation and an augmentation combined with a breast lift may both begin with a patient coming in for breast augmentation, but financially, they aren’t the same operation.
What’s Usually Included in the Cost
A breast augmentation quote will often account for more than the surgeon’s time in the operating room. Dr. Zweifler says the total commonly includes the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, and a facility fee, with the cost of the implants factored in as well. What we wouldn’t assume is that every practice bundles those expenses in exactly the same way. One office may hand you a single all-in estimate, while another may break the charges out individually.
For that reason, it might be worth asking for an itemized quote before you compare prices (yes, keeping track of everything in a spreadsheet isn’t a bad idea). You’ll want to know whether the figure you’ve been given includes the implants, anesthesia, operating-room costs, and the surgeon’s fee, so you can compare each estimate on the same terms.
Does Insurance Cover Breast Augmentation?
For a breast augmentation performed solely for cosmetic reasons, health insurance generally won’t cover the cost. That means the surgeon, implants, anesthesia, and facility expenses are typically paid out of pocket. In doing our research, we found that coverage may differ when breast surgery is reconstructive—such as reconstruction following a mastectomy—or when another medically necessary procedure is involved.
We’d check directly with both the surgeon’s office and your insurer before counting on any coverage. Even when part of a breast procedure qualifies for insurance, that doesn’t necessarily mean every part of the operation will be covered, particularly when a cosmetic enhancement is being performed at the same time.
Other Costs to Plan For
Depending on the practice and what your recovery requires, you may also need to budget for prescriptions, post-surgical bras or compression garments, medical tests, and time away from work. Anyone traveling for surgery should account for transportation and, in some cases, a hotel or help at home during the first part of recovery.
Follow-up care is another thing we’d ask about before putting down a deposit. Some practices include routine post-operative appointments in the original fee, while others may charge separately for certain visits, tests, or treatments. The best way to avoid surprises is to ask what’s included before surgery, then make room in your budget for the things that aren’t.
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