You want to get breast implants. Maybe you’re unhappy with your size. Perhaps you’ve had children and after breastfeeding or you’ve noticed that your breasts just don’t stack up the way they used to. Whatever your reason, getting breast implants goes far beyond shopping for shape and size; you have to consider the total cost of your breast augmentation.
How much does a breast augmentation cost?
One of the top questions on the JBI forum relates to cost. In fact, more than 20,000 forum members all want to know how much money they need for breast augmentation. The answer to this question is complex, but let's break it down.
To start, we looked to the most trusted source in cosmetic surgical procedure: the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. The ASPS found that in 2014 the national average surgeon/physician fee for breast augmentations was $3,708. The problem is that the national average they show only accounts for the surgeon’s fee; it does not include all other fees, including the additional costs listed above.
We wanted to hear our network doctors' opinion, so we asked them using our "Ask a Doctor" feature. We posed this question: “What’s a ball park cost for augmentation?” The answers vary, but they give you an idea of what a breast augmentation with or without a lift could cost.
The team here at JustBreastImplants.com also conducted an effort to find the average total cost for breast augmentations by sifting through thousands of posts by real women who described their experiences on our forum. Out of those posts, 400 women living in various areas throughout the United States reported the full cost of their procedure. Take a look at the national averages for each region.
The U.S. national average cost of $6,192 includes:
- A surgeon's fee
- Anesthesia fees
- Facility fees
- Breast implants
- Surgeon-provided post-op garment
- Prescription medications
The surgeon's fee, anesthesia fees, and facility fees vary throughout the country, and even within each region. Locations with a higher cost of living have higher surgery costs (e.g., New York City or Beverly Hills).
Note: this is the sum of all costs for women across the country for their breast augmentation, and the sample includes women who may or may not have gotten a breast lift with their breast augmentation. It is common that these two procedures are performed at the same time, but generally when a lift is included the cost will rise slightly or dramatically depending on the surgeon.
8 overlooked costs of breast augmentations
Before you schedule a date for your breast augmentation, be aware of commonly overlooked additional expenses, including:
- Blood work
- Anesthesia fees (can be a flat rate or based on surgery time)
- Facility or hospital fees
- Surgeon’s fees by procedure (whether you plan to have a breast augmentation or couple it with a breast lift)
- Post-op prescriptions
- Post-surgery clothing and garments
- Travel and lodging expenses
- Recovery supplements
Even the type of implant you decide on—saline, silicone, anatomical, round, smooth, textured, etc.—affects the overall price tag. If you didn’t think of these extras, it’s time to look at the true bottom line.
These graphics and the responses from our doctors are a great starting point, but there are still other things you want to keep in mind regarding cost. To learn about other considerations regarding financing, the cost of your new wardrobe and implant-specific costs, scan the JustBreastImplants articles.
