Breast augmentation surgery used to be out of reach for the average person. However, since it has grown in popularity and financing options have become available, more everyday people undergo breast augmentation. While surgery is generally considered expensive, it is not always understood why that is so.
The cost of breast augmentation surgery is impacted by several factors. Some of these factors are outside of a patient’s control such as the surgical supplies, surgeon’s fee, and anesthesia fees. However, there are some aspects of the cost that patients may be able to impact with savvy research and flexibility.
Factors That Influence the Price Tag
When it comes to breast augmentation surgery and finding the right cost to fit your budget, it largely involves doing research and also knowing what impacts the cost of surgery in the first place. Let’s look at some of the key variables.
Implant Type
Geographic Location
Surgeon Experience
Anesthesia
Facility
Additional Fees
Post-Operative Supplies & Care
Consultation Fee
Some surgeons require consultation fees. Normally, they range from $50 to $100 dollars, but are occasionally more. Many surgeons will place this consultation fee toward the surgery if the patient books, but not all do this. Often, consultation fees protect against rampant cancellations or no-shows.
The Type of Implant: A Major Price Influencer
Contrary to popular belief, it is not breast implant size that affects the cost of the implants, but rather the type of implant. Saline breast implants come in at the lowest cost because they are filled during surgery. Silicone breast implants fall within the mid-range, and gummy bear breast implants usually cost the most. Most patients will not want to cut costs when it comes to their preferred implant and that is perfectly fine and often recommended in most cases.
The price difference between the various implant types can differ based on manufacturer and surgeon. Patients can usually expect silicone breast implants to be about $1,000 more expensive than saline breast implants.
Geographical Location Matters
Breast augmentation costs more in certain places and less in others. While this is true between countries (think about how many people go to Turkey, South Korea, and Mexico for plastic surgery) due to currency exchange rates, this can also vary from city to city and state to state. For example, Florida has some of the least expensive breast augmentation costs in the country because plastic surgery tends to be in higher demand. However, Los Angeles also has a high demand, but they have higher prices because they cater to people with more expendable income.
Many people will travel to different states or cities for breast implants. This is recommended more than international travel where post-operative care and medical standards can be absent or difficult to confirm. However, if choosing to travel for breast augmentation, patients need to understand that travel, lodging, and associated costs should be added to the final surgery cost.
The Surgeon's Skill: Where Expertise Meets Expense
Surgeons with more experience charge more for Seattle breast augmentation because they offer unique expertise and have likely performed the surgery hundreds of times. Newer surgeons will likely charge less to build their patient base. It is not always bad to choose a surgeon new to the field, but it is important for them to be transparent and offer an idea of the results they can realistically provide.
Understanding Surgeon's Fees
Any surgery you undergo will likely include a fee called the “surgeon’s fee.” In most cases, this pays for the surgeon’s labor and associated costs. However, it can also include the cost of all the appointments included in the cost of the procedure such as post-operative appointments and any care that takes place while at the facility.
Beyond the Surgeon's Fee: Uncovering Hidden Costs
Other fees that may be incurred during a Seattle breast augmentation include supply costs, especially if specialized or additional supplies are required. Some may also tack on other fees based on the method of payment, testing required day of surgery, medications administered (in addition to anesthesia), and if a patient requires inpatient care.
Anesthesia and Surgery Center Fees
Two other fees you will see with most surgeries are anesthesia fees and surgery center (or operating room) fees. Most breast augmentations in the United States are performed at outpatient surgery centers. Often, there are upfront costs associated with this: renting the timeslot, maintaining the surgery suite, and sometimes staffing can be included here too depending on whether the surgeon owns the center or not. Breast augmentations performed in hospitals will also include fees associated with maintaining the operating room and the time in which the room cannot be used for other surgeries.
Anesthesia fees address the labor costs of the person administering anesthesia, the drugs necessary, and the monitoring equipment and time. Any procedure that uses general anesthesia will involve significant anesthesia costs. Local anesthesia is cheaper, but may still charge for the cost of the numbing agent used.
Additional Surgeries: When More Is More Expensive
Combining surgeries will almost always incur more cost. However, when comparing the cost of undergoing two separate procedures, combining surgeries is often less expensive. This is because patients will only need to pay associated costs such as surgeon fees, anesthesia fees, and operating room fees once. Therefore, while there is a larger upfront cost to combined surgeries, the overall cost is lower.
With that said, sometimes additional surgeries are unplanned such as in the case of a revision or procedure to address a complication like fluid collection or capsular contracture. This will add cost (though surgeons will often comp these procedures depending on the exact circumstances). While unexpected, patients do need to consider this possibility before undergoing Seattle breast augmentation.
Financing Options: Making Breast Augmentation Affordable
Outside companies such as Care Credit, Alphaeon, and United Medical Credit offer ways to finance breast augmentation. Some individual practices may offer payment plans or waive certain fees. However, this is less common. In extremely rare circumstances, insurance can cover breast augmentation. This accounts for only a fraction of breast augmentations performed every year.
Outside financing is the most common way patients finance breast augmentation surgery. These companies can help patients find a monthly payment that suits their budget. Some people will also put the cost of the surgery on a credit card.
Breast Implant Costs in Seattle
The cost of Seattle breast augmentation is as follows:
Saline Breast Implants: $5,995
Silicone Breast Implants: $7,495
Round Gummy Bear Breast Implants: $8,495
Anatomical Gummy Bear Breast Implants: $9,495
These costs include all fees except possible additional fees associated with certain factors.
Post-Surgery Care: The Final Piece of the Cost Puzzle
Recovering from Seattle breast augmentation requires care, comfort, and specialized supplies. The most important part is to wear a provided surgical bra. This bra provides compression and also limits stress on the incisions. It is a vital part of the breast augmentation recovery and often the cost of the surgical bra and any other necessary supplies is included within the full price.
Takeaways
The best thing you can do when considering breast augmentation is to not price shop. Not all expensive surgeons are good and not all cheap surgeons are bad. However, lower costs do often mean lower quality supplies, less experience, less follow-up and communication, and potentially an increased risk of certain complications (especially if performed outside the United States). Find the surgeon that offers financing options that work for you as well as quality results.
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