Breast augmentation is primarily an elective plastic surgery procedure, which will not be covered under most insurance packages. Therefore, the price tag remains an important starting point for many women seeking this procedure. The final outcome in such a major procedure depends to a significant extent on the quality standards and skills available at a surgical practice.
Therefore, patients should ideally make an objective decision looking at their safety and aesthetic priorities. The surgeon will discuss all the cost related aspects during the pre-op consultation. The patient should feel free to ask questions and clarify all doubts related to costs during this consultation. Board certified plastic surgeons Dr. Burton Sundin and Dr. Reps Sundin provide breast augmentation to patients in Richmond, Virginia and surrounding locations.
Financial Concerns
The monetary amount of breast implant surgery will differ from one practice to another, and may also differ from one patient to another at the same practice in some cases. The following factors may impact the actual cost of surgery:
Where the Practice is Located
The average cost of living is usually higher in major urban centers and prime cities along the coasts. Therefore, the costs of all types of goods and services, including plastic surgery services will be affected by the geographical location. For instance, the cost of breast implant surgery in Richmond, Virginia and nearby areas may not be the same as the cost in, say, Arizona.
Fee Charged by the Surgeon
A plastic surgeon with extensive training and experience, and having a board certification, will typically maintain the highest standards of care and invest in latest surgical techniques and continuing education. The fee charged by such a surgeon is likely to be higher than another surgeon who may be less experienced and performing under the supervision of a senior surgeon. The ASPS recommends that patients should choose the best surgeon for their needs and consider surgeon’s fee as a secondary factor in such decisions.
Anesthesia and Operating Facility Expenses
Breast augmentation will usually involve the costs of anesthesia, which can vary depending on whether the procedure is performed by an anesthesiologist or a registered anesthetist nurse. The surgeon may decide to perform the procedure at a hospital, an accredited surgical center or a private surgical suite. The costs and benefits under each option will vary, and will have an influence on the overall financial aspects of procedure.
Financial Realities of Implants
Implant fees form a significant cost component in breast augmentation surgery. Traditional saline implants will usually have a lower dollar amount than silicone gel implants. If the patient chooses advanced ultra-cohesive silicone implants, the sticker price will go up further. The breast surgeon will be able to make the appropriate recommendation of implant quality according to the patient’s aesthetic goals.
Insurance and Financing
In exceptional cases, particularly where breast implant surgery is a part of breast reconstruction, the patient will receive insurance coverage for the procedure. In all other cases, the patient will have the option to get the procedure financed through professional medical care financing companies or use traditional sources such as bank loans, credit cards, or personal borrowings.
