Breast implants typically cost between $6,000 and $12,000 total, though the price can range higher depending on where you live, your surgeon, and the type of implant you choose. The average surgeon’s fee alone is $4,875, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, but that number doesn’t include anesthesia, the operating facility, or several other line items that make up the final bill.
What the Surgeon’s Fee Actually Covers
When you see the $4,875 average figure, it’s important to understand that’s only the surgeon’s time and expertise. Your total bill will also include anesthesia fees, operating room costs, the implants themselves, prescriptions, medical tests, and post-surgery garments like compression bras. Some practices bundle everything into a single quote, while others list each charge separately. Always ask for an itemized breakdown so you’re comparing the same things when shopping between surgeons.
If you opt for fat grafting instead of implants (where fat is transferred from another part of your body to your breasts), the average surgeon’s fee rises to $5,719.
Saline vs. Silicone vs. Gummy Bear Implants
The type of implant you choose directly affects the price. Silicone implants run about $1,000 more than saline implants. Silicone tends to feel more like natural breast tissue, which is one reason it’s the more popular choice despite the higher cost. Saline implants are filled with sterile saltwater after they’re placed, which allows for a smaller incision and easy adjustment of volume during surgery.
Within the silicone category, “gummy bear” implants are a firmer, more cohesive version that holds its shape even if the outer shell breaks. These tend to cost more than standard silicone, though exact pricing varies by surgeon and manufacturer. The tradeoff is a more stable shape over time, with a slightly firmer feel.
How Location Changes the Price
Geography alone can swing your total cost by $1,000 to $3,000. Cities with higher real estate and staffing costs pass that overhead along to patients. Here’s what you can expect in major metro areas:
- New York City: $6,500 to $20,000+
- Los Angeles: $5,500 to $12,000
- Miami: $6,500 to $14,000
- San Francisco: $7,000 to $14,000
- Atlanta: $7,000 to $13,000
- Chicago: $5,800 to $9,500
- Dallas/Fort Worth: $6,000 to $11,000
- Seattle: $5,500 to $11,000
- Phoenix: $6,500 to $8,500
- Tampa: $6,000 to $9,500
New York and San Francisco sit at the top of the range, while cities in the Southwest and parts of the Midwest tend to fall on the lower end. That said, choosing a surgeon based purely on price isn’t wise. Board certification, experience with your specific procedure, and a portfolio of results you like should carry more weight than saving a few hundred dollars.
Costs That Come After Surgery
The sticker price of the procedure isn’t the last you’ll spend. You’ll need front-closing compression bras without underwire for recovery, and your surgical team will prescribe pain medication and possibly other prescriptions a week or two before the procedure. Some surgeons include these garments in the surgical fee; others don’t.
The bigger long-term cost to plan for is that implants aren’t permanent. Most will need to be replaced or removed at some point, whether because of a complication, a change in preference, or simply because the implant has aged. Revision surgery carries its own set of fees: a new surgeon’s fee, facility costs, anesthesia, and potentially the cost of new implants. In some cases, the implant manufacturer’s warranty will cover part of the replacement cost if there’s a defect, but it won’t cover the surgeon or facility fees. Planning for at least one revision over your lifetime is financially realistic.
When Insurance Covers Implants
Cosmetic breast augmentation is not covered by insurance. However, breast reconstruction is a different category entirely, and insurance typically does cover it. Federal law requires most health plans to cover reconstruction after a mastectomy, including surgery on the other breast to achieve symmetry.
Beyond mastectomy reconstruction, insurance may also cover implants for congenital conditions like Poland Syndrome (where the chest wall doesn’t develop normally), absence of breast tissue, chronic nipple inversion causing infection or bleeding, severe fibrocystic breast disease that hasn’t responded to other treatment, and breast deformity resulting from accidental injury, burns, or trauma. Breast reconstruction as part of treatment for gender dysphoria may also qualify for coverage, depending on the plan and the state.
The key distinction insurance companies look for is whether the procedure corrects a functional or anatomical impairment versus being purely aesthetic. Your surgeon’s office can often help you navigate the pre-authorization process if your situation might qualify.
Financing Options
Most plastic surgery practices offer some form of payment plan. Medical credit cards like CareCredit are widely accepted at over 285,000 healthcare locations and offer promotional financing periods, often with no annual fee. These plans let you break the total cost into monthly payments, though interest rates can be steep once the promotional period ends. Read the fine print carefully: a 0% introductory rate that jumps to 25% or higher after 12 months can make your implants significantly more expensive than the quoted price.
Some surgeons also work with other lending companies or offer in-house financing. If you’re comparing financing options, pay attention to the total amount you’d pay over the life of the loan, not just the monthly payment. A lower monthly bill stretched over five years could cost thousands more than a slightly higher payment over two years.