Plastic surgery usually doesn't come cheap — unless it's reconstructive surgery after an accident or illness, health insurance usually doesn't cover the cost. But the overall cost of breast implants varies widely, depending on factors such as the surgeon's skill, the region where you have the surgery performed, whether the surgery takes place in an office setting, an outpatient surgical center or a hospital, what type of surgery you choose and the style of implants you choose.
Your doctor should give you a breakdown of the cost of breast implants based on your own individual situation. But there are average ranges for each of these plastic surgery fees to help give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay for each aspect of your surgery before you even meet with a plastic surgeon. Overall costs should be in the range of $4,500 to $11,000.
Surgeon Fees: You'll need to pay for the surgeon and his staff performing the procedure. The cost of this portion of the fee varies considerably, depending on your surgeon's qualifications and experience and the cost of living in the region where you'll be having your surgery. A well-known and experienced plastic surgeon in a large urban area will charge on the high end of the range, while newer, less-practiced plastic surgeons in more suburban or lower-cost regions of the country will charge much less. The average surgeon's fee is about $3,500, with a general range of $2,500 to $5000.
Facility Fees: One of the biggest costs of breast implant surgery is paying for the facility and services where you'll be having your surgery — whether it's at an outpatient surgical facility or a traditional hospital. Some locations may be more economical, but the location of the surgery will be based on the type of surgery you need, any health conditions that could complicate the surgery and your surgeon's preferences. The cost range is between $1,200 and $2,000, with the average cost around $1,500.
Cost of Breast Implants: Implant costs vary widely, depending on the type, style, size and manufacturer. Your plastic surgeon should be able to give you information about the various options available, the pros and cons of each, and the price range. Be sure to feel each type of implant before you make your choice, to ensure you choose one that feels more natural to you. Keep in mind that saline implants will cost about $1,000 less than the silicone versions. The cost range for saline implants is $800 to $1,600 per pair; saline implants range from $1,800 to $2,600 for the pair.
Anesthesia: The cost of anesthesia for plastic surgery can vary widely — again, it depends on the extent of the surgery required for your particular breast augmentation, the type of facility you use, and whether you have any underlying health conditions that could impact your surgery. If you're healthy and only require local anesthesia for your plastic surgery, you'll be on the low end, while those who need more care and general anesthesia would be on the higher end of the scale. The range for anesthesia is $250 to $750 for the surgery.
Lab Work: Your doctor will likely want you to undergo a panel of basic tests done before you undergo surgery, to rule out any underlying health issues that could impact your plastic surgery. You can expect to spend between $150 to $300 for the blood tests. Keep in mind that many health insurance providers won't cover these basic tests if they are requested for plastic surgery.
Mammogram Fees: Many plastic surgeons require routine mammograms before a breast augmentation — even if you don't have a family history of breast cancer and you're under the age of 35. If your doctor recommends it, consider having the mammogram done. It will cost you between $100 and $350, depending on the overall cost of medical testing in your area.
EKG Fees: For patients who are over 40 or have an underlying heart condition, surgeons often require an EKG before surgery. This will run you between $150 to $300.
Medications: You'll need various medications before and after surgery — including antibiotics, pain medications and anti-nausea medications. These can range from $15 to $200. Keep in mind that most medical plans won't cover the cost of medications required for plastic surgery, so your prescription plan won't cover this.
Future Costs: If you experience any complications from your surgery, including infections, capsular contracture or the bursting of an implant, you may need to pay for medical costs related to repairing the implants.