Cost is something most women consider as they search for a plastic surgeon to perform breast augmentation. It isn’t easy, however, to pinpoint the price of breast augmentation before you consult with a surgeon because several factors influence the final cost.
Those factors include the type of implants you choose, if you’re combining a breast lift with implants, or if you’re considering a technique called fat transfer breast augmentation. In this post, we’ll explain the difference in the cost of breast augmentation procedures and why you’ll see price discrepancies from practice to practice.
How Much Is Breast Augmentation?
At our practice, breast augmentation starts at $5,500. The national average price for breast augmentation, according to the RealSelf website, is $6,675. The average cost of a breast augmentation with a breast lift is $8,900.
Here are 3 of the factors that will influence your actual cost:
1. Breast Implant Options
You’re probably aware that there are 2 general options when choosing breast implants—those filled with either saline or silicone gel. However, several choices depend on the gel’s cohesiveness within the silicone category. This includes so-called “gummy bear” implants that are highly cohesive; the gel’s consistency is similar to that of a gummy bear candy.
Saline implants are generally less costly than silicone gel implants. Most patients, however, prefer silicone implants because they believe they look and feel more like natural breasts.
2. Combining Breast Augmentation With a Breast Lift
It’s pretty standard for women to want to increase the size of sagging breasts. That requires combining a surgical lift with breast implants to improve the shape of the breasts while also adding volume. Depending on the degree of sagging, the procedure involves making up to 3 incisions, removing excess skin, and reshaping breast tissue. The cost of a standalone breast lift at our practice starts at $6,800, which doesn’t include breast implants. You can read more about how to know if you need a breast lift with augmentation in a previous blog post.
3. Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation
Fat transfer breast augmentation involves removing fat from an area of the body, such as the abdomen or buttocks, and transferring it to the breasts after it’s purified. The average cost of fat transfer breast augmentation, sometimes called natural breast augmentation, is $9,275 (as reported by RealSelf).
It’s a technique suitable for patients who want a modest size increase—typically no more than one bra cup size. The results are less predictable than with implants because only about 60% to 80% of the transferred fat survives the process.
Surgeons also often use grafted fat to camouflage the edges of breast implants placed above the muscle, which may affect the overall price of your breast augmentation procedure.
What’s Included in the Price of Breast Augmentation?
The cost of breast augmentation generally includes the surgeon’s fee, the operating room fee, the fee for a board-certified anesthesiologist, and all pre- and postoperative appointments. Even though the cost is something patients consider, price shouldn’t be the primary reason for choosing a surgeon. You should ensure the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), has extensive experience performing cosmetic breast surgery, and is someone you feel comfortable talking with.
Financing Your Breast Augmentation Surgery
You can achieve your cosmetic goals and stay within your budget by financing breast augmentation surgery. Our practice partners with PatientFi® and CareCredit®; both specialize in financing elective health care procedures.
Start With a Consultation
Whether you’re at the outset of your search for a plastic surgeon or have already consulted with surgeons, you can request a consultation at our West Des Moines, Iowa, practice by using the online form or by calling (515) 277-5555 to schedule an appointment.
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