As a woman considering breast augmentation, one thing you might be wondering about is how much the surgery will cost. Since it is a cosmetic procedure, breast enhancements are typically paid for out-of-pocket, meaning the cost of the surgery is usually the responsibility of the patient. Read on to learn more about the cost of breast augmentation.
The Cost of Your Augmentation Surgery in Houston
Breast augmentation costs can vary considerably based on the location of the surgical practice, the skill of the surgeon, and the type of implants used. During your consultations with prospective plastic surgeons, it’s a good idea to discuss all of the factors that influence the price of the surgery.
It’s also important to discuss payment options and other ways to make breast augmentation work within your budget. Keep in mind that there are several services you are ultimately paying for when you pay for breast augmentation.
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS
“After rigorous research for the best plastic surgeons in Houston, I am so happy I chose Dr. Vitenas to perform my breast augmentation! His natural results and precision to detail surpassed all of my expectations. The staff is the upmost professional and pleasant to work with. Not to mention his office building is beyond gorgeous! I can say without a doubt after a year of my breast augmentation, I am completely over the moon with the results. Thank you so much Dr. Vitenas and Staff!”
How Implants Can Impact Cost
Implants come in various shapes and sizes, filled with either saline or silicone, and can have smooth or textured shells. Each factor influences the cost. For example, saline implants are generally cheaper than silicone
While cost is important, it shouldn’t be the sole factor in your decision. Silicone implants, though more expensive, are more popular due to their natural look and feel. Saline implants are firmer because water is a non-compressable substance. Ultimately, cost should not be the deciding factor when choosing implants.
Anesthesia Fees
Breast augmentation is typically performed with the patient under general anesthesia. The anesthesia needs to be given by a board-certified anesthesiologist. Anesthesia fees associated with the surgery usually include the cost of the anesthetic and the cost of the anesthesiologist’s services.
Breast Surgeon and Facility Fees
Location matters when you’re having surgery. Most breast augmentation surgeries are not performed in a hospital, but instead in an outpatient surgical facility. For your safety, the facility should be accredited and licensed. If the surgical facility fee seems low, do some more research, as this is one cost on which you definitely do not want to cut corners.
Another important consideration is the surgeon’s fee. A less experienced plastic surgeon or a surgeon who doesn’t specialize in breast surgery might charge less than a plastic surgeon with decades of experience in breast augmentation. When considering any type of surgical procedure, it’s very important to remember that you very literally get what you pay for.
Choosing a surgeon who charges less but offers you a lower degree of expertise and experience significantly increases the risk of complications or poor results. It’s better to pay more up front for the skill and talent of an experienced surgeon, as opposed to saving your money and eventually needing additional surgeries to fix any issues in the future.
Medications After Surgery
After breast augmentation, your plastic surgeon will most likely write you a prescription for pain medications that will help you manage any discomfort.
The cost of these medications will constitute another expense to consider when determining the price of your surgery.
Breast Augmentation Before & After Photos
Other Costs Associated With Breast Augmentation
Along with time off from work, there are some additional costs you might need to budget for before having breast augmentation. Those costs can include:
ADDITIONAL CHILD OR PET CARE
If you have pets or kids, you might want to hire someone to keep an eye on them while you recover from the surgery. If you don’t already pay a regular babysitter or pet sitter, the cost of hiring someone can be an additional expense.
NEW CLOTHES
While you can skip the bra during the first weeks of recovery after breast augmentation, you’ll most likely need to buy new bras at some point to fit your new breasts. You might also have to buy new tops and dresses depending on the size you wish your new breasts to be.
A Breakdown of Breast Surgery Costs by Implant Type
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of breast augmentation was $3,947 in 2019. That figure doesn’t include surgical facility fees or anesthesia fees, so it only tells part of the story. The type of implants you receive or the type of breast surgery you choose to have can affect the cost of the procedure. Although cost shouldn’t be the determining factor when you’re deciding which type of surgery or what type of implants are right for you, it is something to keep in mind and prepare for.
Breast Augmentation With Saline Implants
Saline implants have been around since 1965. They experienced a steep rise in popularity when silicone implants were taken off the market since they were the only option at the time, although silicone has since regained the top spot.
Even so, some women still prefer the look and feel of saline implants. The implants are inserted into the chest and are then filled with saline solution. Saline implants give the breast a rounder, firmer look.
The cost of breast augmentation with saline implants ranges from $6,900 to $7,600.
Breast Augmentation With Silicone Implants
While silicone implants were off of the market for a short time in the 1990s, they have been proven to be safe and are even noted as coming with a lower incidence of leakage than their saline counterparts.
Silicone implants look very natural on the chest, moving well with position changes. They tend to look softer and feel softer than saline implants, giving the new breasts an increasingly natural look and feel.
The cost of breast augmentation with silicone implants ranges from $6,900 to $7,600.
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS
I am highly satisfied because I went in for Breast Augmentation Surgery and from the first visit the attention and care given to me was Great. The nurse took my vitals and found out that the new blood pressure medicine that I had been taking for four months wasn’t working. This was my second place to visit, the other place talked and never touched me. The staff was and still is very professional from scheduling appointment to asking questions. My new boobs are Great and I love them. Dr. Vitenas, did a excellent job very happy.”
Cost of Breast Augmentation with a Breast Lift
A breast lift is often combined with a breast augmentation procedure when a patient’s breasts have started to sag or droop. A breast lift will reposition the breasts on the chest wall for a more youthful, “perky” appearance. The procedure can be performed on its own or in combination with an augmentation with breast implants.
The cost of breast augmentation and breast lift ranges from $11,000 to $13,500.
Fat Transfer Breast Augmentation Cost
Implants aren’t your only option if you want to enhance your breasts. Some people prefer to use fat transfer for breast augmentation. This procedure can involve fewer risks, with a more natural outcome thanks to the use of your own tissues. This procedure takes fat cells from one area of the body and injects them into the breasts to increase their volume. For the right patient, this option can be a win-win: An area with too much fat gets slimmed down while the breasts are enhanced.
The fat transfer procedure is somewhat different from the implant procedure. First, the surgeon harvests the fat. After cleaning and separating it using a special machine, they inject it into the breasts.
The cost of fat transfer is also different from the cost of breast augmentation with implants. The more fat that needs to be harvested, the higher the price tag. You’ll get a detailed cost estimate during your consultation.
The cost of fat transfer breast augmentation ranges from $12,500.00 to $18,000.
How to Pay for Breast Augmentation
You’ve crunched the numbers and have come up with a best-guess estimate for the cost of your breast augmentation. The question remains: How will you pay for the surgery and all the associated costs?
You have multiple options. Option one is to pay for everything upfront, in cash. That option might not work for your budget. Option two is to wait and save up until you have the money needed to pay in full. Doing that could delay your surgery, perhaps indefinitely.
A third option that is likely to work with most people’s budgets is to finance the surgery. Dr. Vitenas offers patients two financing options designed specifically for healthcare.
Alphaeon and CareCredit work similarly to traditional credit cards but also offer interest-free financing options to qualified borrowers.
The Benefits of Financing Your Breast Augmentation
If you aren’t sure whether financing your breast augmentation is the best option, it can be helpful to review some of the benefits of getting financing.
- There is no down payment: Many financing plans let you finance 100% of the cost of the surgery, so you don’t have to worry about putting money down upfront.
- Monthly payments are available: Financing lets you spread out the cost of the surgery into affordable monthly payments.
- Low-interest financing is available: Depending on your credit history and the type of financing you choose, you might get a lower interest rate than if you paid for your surgery with a credit card or personal loan.
- You can get plastic surgery sooner, rather than later: Choosing to finance breast augmentation means that you can have your surgery now and enjoy the results right away, rather than at some point in the future.
Breast Augmentation Cost FAQ
Experience and Expertise, Working for You
Experience and expertise matter when you’re considering breast augmentation. Dr. Paul Vitenas is a Houston-based plastic surgeon with more than 30 years of experience and having performed more than 10,000 breast surgeries. He’ll review your surgical and implant options with you to help you choose the one that works best with your goals and your budget. Call (972) 737-7477 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Vitenas today.