One of the most common types of cosmetic surgery is breast augmentation, sometimes known as a “boob job” or “augmentation mammaplasty.” In 2022, more than 250.000 Americans underwent it. Using artificial implants or transferring body fat to one or both breasts, augmentation modifies their size and appearance. This operation is not covered by health insurance, like other forms of cosmetic surgery.
Breast augmentation and breast reconstruction are not the same. Federal law mandates that most private insurance plans provide reconstructive surgery for breast cancer patients who have undergone mastectomy and desire it.
However, you’ll have to pay for cosmetic breast augmentation surgery. Continue reading to summarise how much it will cost and what factors will impact the pricing.
What is the price of a breast enhancement procedure?
According to a 2019 American Society of Plastic Surgeons study, breast augmentation often costs between $6,000 and $12,000. The plastic surgeon’s charge is one factor in the wide price range. The Aesthetic Plastic Surgery National Databank estimates that in 2020, typical breast augmentation will cost $4,866.
What other factors could impact the cost of breast augmentation?
The method and supplies that your plastic surgeon employs will contribute to calculating your final expenditures. The best strategy to achieve your goals is to discuss these issues with your doctor. Your preferred breast size, shape, surface texture, incision site, and kind and location of the implant or fat transfer should all be discussed with your doctor.
The price may increase with additional treatments. Moving the nipples is one instance. In 2022, a surgeon charged $1,739 on average for nipple cosmetic surgery.
Additionally, it’s crucial to disclose to your surgeon any prior breast surgery, including the extent to which your breasts may have been increased, decreased, or otherwise changed. Tell the doctor how your body responds at the moment, and be careful to do so. Their surgical choices will be influenced by these details.
Breast augmentation Size
Implant size is unimportant in terms of cost. Implants of all sizes have the same price. This holds true regardless of whether you choose silicone or saline implants.
Again, you should talk in-depth about this with your surgeon. Talk about the size difference between your current and desired breasts. This will assist the surgeon in selecting the optimal surgical technique.
Methods for breast augmentation
The surgeon uses synthetic breast implants or fat that has been moved from another portion of the body to enlarge the breasts.
The most popular option is breast implants. There are several solutions available from manufacturers. Implants can be made of materials other than fundamental ones, such as silicone or saline. They can also have various forms, architectures, and textures.
Breast implants: silicone versus saline
The price of silicone versus saline breast implants might vary significantly, assuming you’ve opted to get them. Implants made of silicone are often more costly. Saline implants cost roughly $1,300 less than silicone implants and last nearly 5 years, according to a 2019 study.
Fat-transfer enhancement
This kind of breast augmentation, also known as fat grafting, lipofilling, or living-fat transfer, is gaining popularity, partly because there is no need for anaesthetic or the insertion of silicone or saline.
Alternatively, the physician transfers fat tissue from one area of your body to another. They use liposuction to remove fat from one area of the body, such as the thighs, back, sides of the abdomen, or tummy. The surgical team cleans the grease using various techniques, such as washing and filtration. The surgeon injects it into the breast to get the proper form.
A relatively slight increase in breast size results from fat transfer. People see an increase in cleavage definition or breast volume at the top.
According to the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery National Databank, surgeons charged an average of $3,318 for breast fat grafting in 2022.
Nipple augmentation
The nipple and areolas are altered by this secondary operation. It could entail moving or elevating the nipple, enhancing symmetry, enlarging or contracting the nipple, or changing how far it projects.
Does breast augmentation go under my health insurance?
Most likely not. Most health insurance companies do not cover cosmetic procedures like breast augmentation or other procedures just to alter how your breasts look. They don’t cover any potential side effects of this kind of operation either.
Additionally, remember that specific insurance policies won’t pay for treatment of breast problems that may develop after you’ve had breast implants.
In conclusion, breast augmentation surgery might risk your health and finances. Review your health plan’s individual coverage policies for breast augmentation and other relevant conditions before scheduling the operation.
Conclusion
Health insurance programs do not provide coverage for cosmetic surgery to augment or improve your breast look. Be careful you comprehend all charges, including the surgeon’s fee, the cost of any implants, and the costs associated with the medical facility and anaesthesia, because you will be responsible for paying them out of pocket. But because it is mandated by law, insurers will pay for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.
Peter Henderson