A combined breast lift and augmentation typically costs between $10,000 and $20,000 in the United States. That range covers both procedures performed together in a single surgery, including surgeon fees, anesthesia, the operating facility, and implants. The final number depends on where you live, the type of implants you choose, and how extensive the lift portion needs to be.
Breaking Down the Combined Cost
A breast lift (mastopexy) and breast augmentation are two distinct procedures, and when performed together, you’re essentially paying for both. The national average for breast augmentation alone sits around $7,149 for the total procedure. A breast lift on its own runs roughly $6,000 to $9,000. Combining them doesn’t simply double the price, though, because you share certain costs like anesthesia time and the facility fee across one surgery instead of two.
Here’s how the total typically breaks down:
- Surgeon’s fee: $5,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on complexity and the surgeon’s experience
- Anesthesia: $1,000 to $2,000, based on how long the procedure takes (usually 3 to 4 hours for a combined surgery)
- Operating facility fee: $1,500 to $3,000
- Implants: $1,000 to $3,000 per pair, depending on type
The combined procedure takes longer than either surgery alone, which increases anesthesia and facility charges. Surgeons also charge more for the technical complexity of reshaping tissue while placing an implant at the same time.
How Implant Type Affects Price
Silicone implants cost roughly $1,000 more than saline implants per pair. Most women choosing augmentation today go with silicone because it feels more natural, but saline remains a less expensive option. Highly cohesive silicone implants, sometimes called “gummy bear” implants, tend to cost even more than standard silicone, though pricing varies by manufacturer and surgeon.
Your implant choice also affects the complexity of the surgery itself. Silicone implants come pre-filled, so the incision needs to be slightly larger. This can matter more in a combined procedure where the surgeon is already making incisions for the lift. Your surgeon will factor the implant profile, size, and placement (above or below the chest muscle) into the overall quote.
Where You Live Changes the Price Significantly
Geography is one of the biggest cost variables. Procedures in major coastal cities run considerably higher than in midsize metros. For augmentation alone, the range by city gives a sense of how much location matters:
- New York City: $6,500 to $20,000+
- Los Angeles: $5,500 to $12,000
- Miami: $6,500 to $14,000
- Atlanta: $7,000 to $13,000
- Dallas/Fort Worth: $6,000 to $11,000
- Chicago: $5,800 to $9,500
- Phoenix: $6,500 to $8,500
These figures are for augmentation only. Adding a lift will push the total higher in every market. In New York or Los Angeles, a combined procedure with an experienced board-certified surgeon can easily exceed $20,000. In cities like Phoenix or Chicago, you might land closer to $12,000 to $16,000 for the same work.
Costs Beyond the Surgery Itself
The quoted price from your surgeon’s office doesn’t always include everything. Budget for several additional expenses that add up quickly.
Initial consultations typically cost $80 to $125, though some practices apply this fee toward your surgery if you book with them. Pre-operative lab work and, in some cases, a mammogram may be required before surgery, particularly for women over 40. These can run $100 to $500 depending on your insurance and what’s ordered.
After surgery, you’ll need a supportive surgical bra (around $30 to $80, and you may want two), prescription pain medication ($20 to $75 with insurance), and potentially scar treatment products over the following months ($30 to $100). If your surgeon recommends lymphatic drainage massage during recovery, each session typically costs $75 to $150. None of these are enormous individually, but together they can add $300 to $600 or more to your total.
You should also factor in lost income. Most women take 1 to 2 weeks off work after a combined procedure, and physical jobs may require 4 to 6 weeks before full return.
Insurance and Financing Options
Health insurance does not cover a combined breast lift and augmentation when it’s done for cosmetic reasons. This is considered elective surgery. The one exception is breast reconstruction after mastectomy or significant medical events. Federal law requires insurers to cover reconstruction in those cases, and some state programs like MassHealth will authorize breast reconstruction when medical necessity is documented through prior authorization.
If you’re experiencing physical symptoms from breast asymmetry or sagging, such as chronic back pain, skin rashes, or shoulder grooving, it’s worth asking your surgeon whether any portion of the procedure could qualify as medically necessary. In rare cases, the lift component might be partially covered, though the augmentation almost never is.
Most plastic surgery practices offer financing through medical credit companies. These plans typically offer promotional periods of 12 to 24 months with no interest if paid in full, or longer repayment windows with interest rates ranging from 8% to 27% depending on your credit. Some surgeons also offer in-house payment plans with a deposit at booking and the balance due before surgery day.
What Drives the Price Up or Down
Several factors push a combined procedure toward the higher or lower end of the range. The degree of lift needed matters: a minor crescent or periareolar lift involves less tissue work and less time under anesthesia than a full anchor lift, which addresses significant sagging. If you need an anchor pattern lift with large implants, expect to pay more than someone getting a small lift with modest augmentation.
Surgeon experience and credentials also influence pricing. A board-certified plastic surgeon with years of specialization in breast procedures will generally charge more than a general cosmetic surgeon, but the expertise directly affects your results and safety. Choosing a surgeon based on the lowest quote is one of the riskiest decisions in elective surgery, since revision procedures to correct poor results cost just as much as the original surgery, sometimes more.
Finally, whether the surgery takes place in a hospital, an ambulatory surgery center, or an in-office operating suite affects the facility fee. Hospital-based procedures carry the highest overhead. Most combined breast lifts and augmentations are performed in accredited outpatient surgery centers, which keep facility costs moderate while maintaining safety standards.