“Boob job” is a common term that often encompasses various types of breast cosmetic procedures. As reported by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the popularity of breast enhancement procedures is on the rise, with a significant 15% increase in recent years. This includes procedures like breast augmentation, breast lifts, and breast reductions, each designed to address different aesthetic goals and needs. Understanding the costs associated with these procedures is crucial for anyone considering enhancing their appearance.
This guide will break down the costs of the most common “boob job” procedures, explore factors that influence these costs, and discuss insurance coverage and financing options. If you’re wondering “How Much Is A Boob Job?”, you’ve come to the right place to get a comprehensive overview.
Alt: Plastic surgeon discussing breast augmentation costs and implant types with female patient in consultation room.
Decoding the Cost of Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation, technically known as augmentation mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to increase breast size. The national average cost* for breast augmentation surgery is approximately $7,149, according to the latest statistics. However, it’s essential to understand that this figure represents only the surgeon’s fee for the procedure itself.
The total cost of breast augmentation surgery is more comprehensive and includes several additional expenses:
- Surgeon’s Fee: This is the professional fee charged by your plastic surgeon for performing the breast augmentation.
- Anesthesia Fees: The cost of anesthesia administered during the surgery, which can vary based on the type of anesthesia and the length of the procedure.
- Hospital or Surgical Facility Costs: Fees for using the operating room and recovery facilities.
- Medical Tests: Pre-operative and post-operative medical tests, such as blood work or mammograms.
- Post-Surgical Garments: Special bras or compression garments needed for recovery.
- Medications: Prescriptions for pain relief and antibiotics.
Considering these additional costs, the total price* for breast augmentation can range from approximately $5,100 to $18,465. This price range is influenced by various factors, including geographic location, the surgeon’s experience and reputation, and the type of breast implants used.
Breast Augmentation Cost Variations: Fat Transfer vs. Implants
The method of breast augmentation also impacts the cost.
- Breast Augmentation with Implants: This traditional method involves inserting saline or silicone implants to enhance breast volume. Silicone implants generally tend to be more expensive than saline implants.
- Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer: This technique uses liposuction to harvest fat from another area of your body (like the abdomen or thighs) and inject it into your breasts. Due to the added liposuction procedure, fat transfer breast augmentation usually carries a higher price tag compared to implant-based augmentation.
Breast Augmentation Costs Across the United States
Geographic location plays a significant role in the price of breast augmentation. Costs can fluctuate considerably from state to state and even within different cities in the same state. The table below provides a state-by-state breakdown of the average cost* of breast augmentation surgery:
| State/District | Average Cost | State/District | Average Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $7,053 | Montana | $6,675 | |
| Alaska | $7,263 | Nebraska | $7,003 | |
| Arizona | $7,176 | Nevada | $6,819 | |
| Arkansas | $6,932 | New Hampshire | $6,775 | |
| California | $6,867 | New Jersey | $6,491 | |
| Colorado | $6,920 | New Mexico | $7,836 | |
| Connecticut | $6,584 | New York | $7,113 | |
| Delaware | $7,272 | North Carolina | $7,441 | |
| District of Columbia | $7,515 | North Dakota | $7,538 | |
| Florida | $7,002 | Ohio | $7,223 | |
| Georgia | $7,768 | Oklahoma | $7,505 | |
| Hawaii | $7,357 | Oregon | $6,729 | |
| Idaho | $7,309 | Pennsylvania | $7,268 | |
| Illinois | $6,623 | Rhode Island | $7,676 | |
| Indiana | $7,436 | South Carolina | $6,927 | |
| Iowa | $7,264 | South Dakota | $6,773 | |
| Kansas | $7,066 | Tennessee | $6,541 | |
| Kentucky | $7,744 | Texas | $7,448 | |
| Louisiana | $7,059 | Utah | $7,291 | |
| Maine | $6,660 | Vermont | $7,496 | |
| Maryland | $8,897 | Virginia | $6,749 | |
| Massachusetts | $7,429 | Washington | $7,029 | |
| Michigan | $7,642 | West Virginia | $6,927 | |
| Minnesota | $6,659 | Wisconsin | $6,702 | |
| Mississippi | $7,038 | Wyoming | $7,610 | |
| Missouri | $6,758 |
Insurance Coverage for Breast Augmentation
Generally, breast augmentation is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by health insurance. Insurance providers typically view it as an elective surgery performed for aesthetic reasons rather than medical necessity.
However, many cosmetic surgery practices offer financing options to make breast augmentation more accessible. CareCredit** is a popular credit card specifically designed for healthcare expenses, including cosmetic procedures. Exploring financing plans can help manage the costs associated with breast augmentation.
Alt: Patient smiling and holding a CareCredit card in a plastic surgeon’s office, considering financing options for boob job.
Understanding Breast Lift Costs
A breast lift, or mastopexy, is a surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. The average cost* of a breast lift is around $8,128. Similar to breast augmentation, this price only reflects the surgeon’s fee and excludes other related expenses.
The total cost for a breast lift encompasses:
- Surgeon’s Fee
- Anesthesia Fees
- Operating Room and Facility Fees
- Medical Tests
- Post-Operative Care Supplies
- Medications
The total price* for a breast lift can range from approximately $3,950 to $14,500, depending on geographic location, surgeon’s expertise, and the complexity of the procedure. If a breast lift is combined with breast augmentation or breast reduction, the overall cost will increase.
Breast Lift Costs Across the United States
Just like breast augmentation, breast lift costs vary across different states. Here’s a state-by-state overview of the average cost*:
| State/District | Average Cost | State/District | Average Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $6,928 | Montana | $8,300 | |
| Alaska | $8,050 | Nebraska | $7,724 | |
| Arizona | $7,668 | Nevada | $7,373 | |
| Arkansas | $7,253 | New Hampshire | $8,629 | |
| California | $8,248 | New Jersey | $7,093 | |
| Colorado | $7,133 | New Mexico | $7,424 | |
| Connecticut | $8,535 | New York | $7,711 | |
| Delaware | $9,065 | North Carolina | $9,092 | |
| District of Columbia | $8,816 | North Dakota | $8,746 | |
| Florida | $8,576 | Ohio | $8,996 | |
| Georgia | $8,224 | Oklahoma | $8,617 | |
| Hawaii | $7,270 | Oregon | $7,858 | |
| Idaho | $7,945 | Pennsylvania | $7,834 | |
| Illinois | $8,998 | Rhode Island | $9,556 | |
| Indiana | $8,471 | South Carolina | $7,794 | |
| Iowa | $7,961 | South Dakota | $8,374 | |
| Kansas | $7,718 | Tennessee | $7,948 | |
| Kentucky | $8,158 | Texas | $9,125 | |
| Louisiana | $8,169 | Utah | $6,406 | |
| Maine | $7,488 | Vermont | $9,342 | |
| Maryland | $7,893 | Virginia | $7,732 | |
| Massachusetts | $7,924 | Washington | $7,376 | |
| Michigan | $8,508 | West Virginia | $6,796 | |
| Minnesota | $7,349 | Wisconsin | $8,241 | |
| Mississippi | $8,743 | Wyoming | $7,651 | |
| Missouri | $8,562 |
Insurance Coverage for Breast Lift
Similar to breast augmentation, a breast lift is typically considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance. However, financing options like CareCredit** are often available through cosmetic surgery centers to help patients manage the cost.
Exploring Breast Reduction Costs
Breast reduction, or reduction mammoplasty, is a surgical procedure to remove excess fat, tissue, and skin from the breasts, making them smaller and lighter. The average cost* of breast reduction surgery is approximately $9,002. As with other breast procedures, this is just the surgeon’s fee.
The comprehensive costs associated with breast reduction include:
- Surgeon’s Fee
- Anesthesia Fees
- Hospital or Surgical Facility Fees
- Pathology Fees (for tissue removed)
- Pre- and Post-Operative Medical Tests
- Post-Surgical Garments
- Medications
The actual price* of a breast reduction can range from $7,995 to $12,850. Geographic location and surgeon’s experience are the primary factors influencing this range.
Breast Reduction Costs Across the United States
Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of the average cost* for breast reduction surgery:
| State/District | Average Cost | State/District | Average Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $9,456 | Montana | $8,749 | |
| Alaska | $9,237 | Nebraska | $9,025 | |
| Arizona | $9,846 | Nevada | $9,089 | |
| Arkansas | $8,960 | New Hampshire | $9,123 | |
| California | $9,061 | New Jersey | $8,962 | |
| Colorado | $8,820 | New Mexico | $9,239 | |
| Connecticut | $9,086 | New York | $9,008 | |
| Delaware | $8,840 | North Carolina | $9,075 | |
| District of Columbia | $8,936 | North Dakota | $8,709 | |
| Florida | $8,936 | Ohio | $8,411 | |
| Georgia | $8,726 | Oklahoma | $8,934 | |
| Hawaii | $8,850 | Oregon | $8,987 | |
| Idaho | $8,838 | Pennsylvania | $8,911 | |
| Illinois | $9,046 | Rhode Island | $9,416 | |
| Indiana | $9,268 | South Carolina | $9,190 | |
| Iowa | $9,137 | South Dakota | $8,580 | |
| Kansas | $9,197 | Tennessee | $9,106 | |
| Kentucky | $8,800 | Texas | $8,909 | |
| Louisiana | $8,859 | Utah | $9,032 | |
| Maine | $8,991 | Vermont | $8,990 | |
| Maryland | $9,072 | Virginia | $9,079 | |
| Massachusetts | $8,794 | Washington | $9,171 | |
| Michigan | $9,021 | West Virginia | $9,027 | |
| Minnesota | $8,722 | Wisconsin | $9,004 | |
| Mississippi | $8,958 | Wyoming | $9,200 | |
| Missouri | $8,911 |
Insurance Coverage for Breast Reduction
Unlike breast augmentation and breast lifts, breast reduction surgery may be covered by health insurance in some cases. If the procedure is deemed medically necessary to alleviate physical symptoms like back, neck, or shoulder pain, or skin irritation due to overly large breasts, insurance may provide coverage.
It’s crucial to check with your insurance provider to understand your specific coverage and any pre-authorization requirements. If insurance doesn’t cover the full cost, or if you prefer to finance the procedure, CareCredit** and other financing options are often accepted by cosmetic surgery centers.
Factors Influencing the Total Cost of a Boob Job
Regardless of the specific type of “boob job” you choose, several factors contribute to the overall expense:
- Surgeon’s Expertise and Reputation: Highly experienced and board-certified plastic surgeons often charge higher fees due to their skill and demand.
- Geographic Location: As shown in the state-by-state breakdowns, costs vary significantly based on where you live. Areas with higher costs of living typically have higher surgical fees.
- Type of Facility: Procedures performed in accredited surgical centers or hospitals may have different facility fees compared to those done in a surgeon’s office-based operating room.
- Anesthesia Type: The type of anesthesia used (local, sedation, or general) and the anesthesiologist’s fees will impact the overall cost.
- Complexity of the Procedure: More complex procedures or combination surgeries will generally cost more.
- Implants (for Augmentation): The type and material of breast implants (saline vs. silicone) influence the price.
- Pre- and Post-Operative Care: Consultation fees, medical tests, follow-up appointments, and post-surgical garments all contribute to the total cost.
- Medications: Prescriptions for pain medication and antibiotics are additional expenses to consider.
Planning for Payment: Financing Your Breast Surgery
Understanding the costs involved in a “boob job” is the first step. Planning how to pay for it is equally important. Here are common payment options for breast surgery:
- Personal Savings: Using your savings is a straightforward way to cover the costs.
- Credit Cards: Most cosmetic surgery practices accept major credit cards. CareCredit** is a popular option specifically for healthcare expenses, often offering promotional financing options.
- Healthcare Financing: Companies like CareCredit** provide loans or credit lines specifically for medical and cosmetic procedures. These options often come with manageable monthly payment plans.
- Surgical Center Financing: Some surgical centers may offer in-house financing, though this is less common.
Alt: Close-up of a mobile phone displaying the CareCredit app, suggesting mobile account management for boob job financing.
Investing in Yourself
Deciding to undergo a “boob job” is a personal journey. Understanding the financial aspects is a crucial part of making an informed decision. By researching the costs of different procedures, exploring financing options, and consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon, you can confidently move forward in achieving your aesthetic goals. Remember to use resources like the CareCredit Acceptance Locator to find providers who offer financing options to make your desired procedures more accessible.
**CareCredit is a credit card subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply. See the CareCredit website for details.
*Cost ranges and averages are based on national data and may vary. Consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon for a personalized cost estimate.
Expertly Reviewed by:
Dr. Justin West, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Medical Director at Finesse Plastic Surgery
Author Bio:
Kate Bayless
Health and Wellness Freelance Writer
