What is the average cost for breast augmentation?
Breast augmentation, or more popularly known as breast enlargement or breast enhancement, is the surgical procedure in which a woman’s breasts size is increased using saline or silicone breast implants. The costs for breast augmentation can vary quite widely. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the national average cost for breast augmentation was $3406 in 2009. On the other hand, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) calculated surgeons’ fees to be an average of $3583 for saline implants and $4005 for silicone implants in 2009. At the end of the day, the actual detailed cost for breast augmentation and implants really depends on the region you live in and whether the surgeons you use include related subsidiary costs.
Some additional breast augmentation costs that may raise the average cost include hospital or surgical facility fees, post-surgery facilities, prescriptions for medication, anaesthesia fees for surgery, medical tests and other miscellaneous costs for breast creams etc,
Furthermore, the fee for surgeons and the other related charges (seen above) will vary and change from region to region and practice to practice. For example, there are a few different types of surgeons that you require during the surgery ranging from the cosmetic surgeons to anaesthesiologists and the fees of each type is not standard. In addition to that, surgery facilities are not kept constant across the nation. In larger cities or more affluent neighbourhoods, the costs and prices for these services are likely to be much higher than one that is not.
Lastly, just like how every body is different, every breast augmentation process will be unique. Depending on the needs of your body and the requirements of the surgical procedure, there might be varying costs in terms of the type of implant chosen, the way it is placed and the level of complexity for each procedure.
Before you decide on which clinic or which surgeon you want, do approach a range of clinics and surgeons so you will know what the average price is in your region. Be sure to ask each individual clinic and surgeon what fees will be included and what processes do those fees cover. Then ask the clinic to quote an estimated price for the overall cost of the procedure from beginning to after surgery treatments. With all these costs in mind, compare which one has the best service, treatment and cost balance before signing anything. You should be well informed of all costs necessary and details of the entire procedure before attempting anything in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises that might ruin the whole process.
Also, do note that as breast augmentation is an elective cosmetic procedure, insurance companies are generally unwilling to cover such costs. So before considering breast augmentation surgery, do check with your insurance agent if there are any policies for patients with breast implants.
At the end of the day, the experience of the surgeon in breast augmentation, the reputation of clinic and your comfort with your surgeon, as well as the rest of the staff are all equally, if not more, important than the final cost of the surgery. The peace of mind, happy results and satisfied expectations are priceless.