How much does breast augmentation cost? If you’re thinking about getting breast implants, you’ve likely typed a version of that question into a search engine. Women considering breast augmentation at the Charlottesville or Fishersville locations of UVA Plastic Surgery trust our plastic surgeons to be transparent about what breast augmentation patients are specifically paying for. Here are 7 factors you should know.
What’s Involved in the Cost of Breast Augmentation?
How does a plastic surgery practice arrive at an “out-the-door” cost for breast enhancement surgery? Here are the primary factors:
#1. Type of Implant
Women have more choices than ever when it comes to selecting breast implants. The options used to be saline or silicone. Now, silicone implants are filled with cohesive gel of different consistencies. Saline implants are much less expensive than silicone implants. Still, the majority of breast augmentation procedures today involve cohesive silicone gel implants, which most patients believe look and feel more like natural breasts—a plastic surgery trend we see at our Charlottesville and Fishersville, VA, locations.
#2. Anesthesia
Breast augmentation surgery is typically performed using a general anesthetic, which means an anesthesiologist is among the surgical team in the operating room. That increases the cost of the procedure compared to procedures performed under a local anesthetic plus sedation, but it ensures the patient’s comfort throughout the surgery.
#3. Operating Room Time
Breast augmentation surgery can usually be completed in about an hour or less, which is built into the cost of the surgery. However, if the procedure lasts longer than expected or if you choose to combine your breast augmentation with other procedures, the additional surgical time can increase the cost.
#4. Fat Transfer vs Implants
Fat transfer breast augmentation can cost more even though the patient doesn’t have to pay for implants. That’s because the technique is essentially 2 procedures. The surgeon first performs liposuction to harvest the fat needed for the augmentation, which increases time in the operating room. Fat transfer may also require multiple procedures to achieve the desired result.
#5. Postoperative Care
While these aren’t big-ticket items, prescription pain medication, surgical bras, and scar cream or silicone gel sheets can add up. It’s always good to know the “out-the-door” price before surgery. Our plastic surgeons provide a detailed, transparent quote that factors in your postop care needs.
#6. Procedure Timing
The time of year can play a role in the cost of breast augmentation and other body contouring procedures. Many people choose the winter to get implants because they typically have more time off. The added layers of clothes to stay warm means a more discreet recovery, too.
#7. Practice Location
The geographical location of a plastic surgery practice will also affect the price. A woman considering breast augmentation who lives in Richmond, VA, will likely pay more if she chooses a Washington, D.C., surgeon than a surgeon located in Charlottesville.
A Note on Cost vs Value
Cost is important, of course, but I recommend that the procedure’s price tag not be the primary concern when choosing a plastic surgery practice. What looks like a good deal now may end up costing more if you need revision surgery to correct an unfortunate outcome.
The peace of mind knowing that the plastic surgeon you choose has the expertise to produce beautiful results consistently cannot be overstated. The expertise reflected in a surgeon’s gallery of before-and-after photos and their training and experience (including board certification) are other factors that will influence the cost of surgery.
Start Your Journey
If you want to discuss getting breast implants with one of our plastic surgeons in Charlottesville or Fishersville, request a consultation online or call us at (434) 924-1234 to schedule an appointment.
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