Breast implant removal typically costs between $3,000 and $6,000 for the surgeon’s fee alone, with the national average sitting at $3,979 according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. But that number doesn’t tell the full story. Once you add anesthesia, facility fees, lab work, and aftercare supplies, the total out-of-pocket cost can climb significantly higher. What you’ll actually pay depends on the type of removal you need, where you live, and whether your insurance will cover any of it.
What the Surgeon’s Fee Covers
The $3,979 average from the ASPS reflects only the surgeon’s fee. It doesn’t include the operating room, the anesthesiologist, prescriptions, compression garments, imaging, or follow-up visits. These additional costs vary widely by region and facility, but they can easily add $2,000 to $5,000 on top of the base fee. A realistic total for a straightforward implant removal at an outpatient surgical center falls somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000 when everything is included.
Some of the line items you should ask about when getting a quote:
- Anesthesia fees: Charged by the hour, typically $500 to $1,500 depending on surgery length
- Facility or operating room fees: The cost of using the surgical suite, often $1,000 to $3,000
- Pre-surgery imaging: MRI or ultrasound to check implant integrity before the procedure
- Post-surgery garments: Compression bras or surgical wraps, usually $30 to $100
- Prescriptions: Pain medication and antibiotics
- Pathology testing: Lab fees if your surgeon sends the capsule tissue for analysis, which can run $200 to over $1,000
When comparing quotes between surgeons, make sure you’re looking at all-inclusive pricing. Some offices bundle everything into one number, while others list only the surgeon’s fee upfront.
Simple Removal vs. En Bloc Capsulectomy
The type of removal your surgeon performs is the single biggest factor in what you’ll pay. There are three main approaches, and they increase in complexity and cost.
A simple implant removal is the most straightforward option. The surgeon takes out the implant and leaves the scar tissue capsule that your body formed around it. This is the fastest procedure and the least expensive, generally landing on the lower end of the $3,000 to $6,000 range for the surgeon’s fee.
A total capsulectomy removes both the implant and the entire surrounding capsule of scar tissue, but not necessarily in one piece. This takes more surgical time and skill, which raises the price. A partial capsulectomy, where only some of the scar tissue is removed, falls somewhere in between.
An en bloc removal is the most complex option. The surgeon removes the implant and its entire capsule together as a single intact unit, without opening or disturbing the capsule during the process. Many women seeking removal for suspected breast implant illness specifically request en bloc because it avoids exposing surrounding tissue to whatever is inside the capsule. Because this technique requires more precision and longer operating time, surgeon fees tend to sit at the higher end of the range or above it. En bloc procedures from surgeons who specialize in explant surgery can run $6,000 to $10,000 or more for the surgeon’s fee alone.
When Insurance May Cover Removal
If you had implants placed purely for cosmetic reasons and want them out for cosmetic or personal reasons, insurance almost certainly won’t cover the procedure. But there are medical situations where coverage becomes possible.
Insurance plans vary, but criteria from major insurers like Kaiser Permanente give a sense of what qualifies. Coverage is more likely when the original implants were part of breast reconstruction (after mastectomy, for example) and one of these complications is present:
- Ruptured implant: Confirmed by imaging
- Infection related to the implant
- Implant extrusion: The implant pushing through the skin or tissue
- Capsular contracture: Classified as Baker Grade II through IV, meaning the scar tissue around the implant has tightened enough to cause firmness, visible distortion, or pain
Baker Grade IV contracture, the most severe form, means the breast feels hard, painful, and visibly distorted. Even Grade II, where the implant can be felt but isn’t yet visible, may meet criteria for coverage at some plans. If your implant has ruptured or you’re experiencing contracture symptoms, it’s worth filing a pre-authorization request with your insurer before assuming you’ll pay out of pocket. Get your surgeon’s office to submit documentation including imaging results.
Breast implant illness is not currently recognized as a formal diagnosis by most insurers, so removal for BII symptoms alone is unlikely to be covered. However, if imaging reveals a rupture or your surgeon documents contracture, those findings can open the door to a claim regardless of why you initially decided to pursue removal.
Geographic and Surgeon Variation
Where you have the surgery matters. Surgeons in major metro areas with high costs of living, particularly cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, tend to charge more than those in smaller markets. The difference can be several thousand dollars for the same procedure.
A surgeon’s experience with explant procedures also affects pricing. Board-certified plastic surgeons who specialize in implant removal and perform en bloc capsulectomies regularly often charge a premium. That higher fee reflects both the technical skill involved and the demand for experienced explant surgeons, which has grown as more women seek removal. Some women travel to see a specialist, which adds travel and lodging costs but may result in a better surgical outcome, especially for complex cases.
Financing Options
Most plastic surgery offices offer payment plans or work with medical financing companies that let you spread the cost over months or years. Interest rates on these plans vary, so compare the total cost of financing against what you’d pay with a credit card or personal loan. Some surgeons offer modest discounts for paying in full upfront.
If you’re also considering a breast lift or other revision at the same time as removal, combining procedures typically costs less than having them done separately, since you only pay for one round of anesthesia and facility fees. But combining procedures also means a longer surgery and recovery, so the decision shouldn’t be purely financial.