How Much Is A Boob Job? Why Are They So Expensive?

Boob jobs, also known as augmentation mammaplasty, became one of the most popular reconstructive surgeries in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. People around the world wanted to enhance their breasts through this surgery. At least according to The 10 Most Common Plastic Surgery Procedures by Very Well Health. Right now, [1] it's not very common to see women in certain areas, like the entertainment world, who show off their natural breasts. One likely explanation for this contemporary vogue is that "boob jobs seem delightful to those who get them."

Besides the current rage of boob jobs, breast augmentation cost is another exciting feature worth noting. Lots of women who want to make their breasts bigger might choose to have surgery or other treatments. But, these procedures can cost a lot of money. This penchant helped to sculpt the idea that "it's expensive to get a boob job."

Many famous people like TV stars, politicians, singers, and famous people get breast implants to make their breasts bigger. This makes people think that getting bigger breasts can be expensive. In this light, we'll apprise you of the most recent cost of breast augmentation in the US. This piece will also cite reasons people get boob jobs and the procedure's potential benefits.

After you read this, you'll understand how much it costs to get breast implants and why some people might want to have the procedure done.

What is boob job?

It'll help if we clarify the definition of "boob job" before proceeding with the main topic. The reason is that "boob job" is a somewhat vague term requiring definition to make it clear.

"Boob job" is an informal expression for breast augmentation—a cosmetic procedure to increase breast size. Although less common, it may also refer to any procedure involving working on one's breasts regardless of the desired effect. Hence, breast reduction surgery may also count as a boob job.

In Baywatch, when Pamela Anderson was running on the beach, people noticed that her breasts looked bigger, and they found out that she had gotten breast implants.

Types of boob job

There are various forms of breast augmentation. Some people may also choose to reduce the size of their breasts due to several factors. Regardless, we can subdivide breast augmentation surgery into two broad classes.

1. Fat transfer augmentation
2. Implant surgery

Let's have an in-depth look at these classes of breast augmentation.

Fat transfer augmentation

Fat transfer for breast augmentation is a way to make breasts bigger by taking fat from parts of the body where you don't want it and putting it into the breasts. They do this with a procedure called liposuction. So, the breasts become larger and fuller. People also call this fat grafting.

Implant surgery

A breast implant surgery entails using a prosthesis to enhance the breast's size, contour, and shape. Plastic surgeons use several types of breast implants.

The basic types of breast implants are:

• Saline breast implants
• Silicone implants

Here's what distinguishes these varieties of breast implants:

Saline breasts implants

Saline implants have an outer silicone shell, but the surgeon fills them with sterile salt water after inserting the implants in place. The procedure is available to women up to 18 years old for breast augmentation. Meanwhile, women of any age can get saline implants for breast reconstructive surgery.

Silicone implants

Silicone implants have an outer silicone shell, like their saline counterparts. But, they're pre-filled with silicone gel. Silicone gel is a thick, jelly-like, sticky fluid mimicking the feel of natural human fat. Many women who want breast implants like to choose silicone ones because they think they look and feel more natural compared to other types of breast surgery.

Women up to 22 years old can get silicone breast implants for breast augmentation. Still, women of any age can go for the procedure if they need a breast implant for breast reconstruction.

Breast lift

Another breast augmentation procedure worth mentioning is a breast lift.

A breast lift differs from a breast implant as it doesn't need filling or packing the breasts with an implant. During this procedure, the plastic surgeon "peels off" excess skin and reshapes the breast tissue to push up the breast. It's usually performed to remedy sagging breasts and down-pointing nipples.

How much does breast augmentation cost?

Like most forms of plastic surgery, you can't get breast augmentations for the price of a pack of French fries. People who haven't had a boob job think it's expensive, but those who have it done and now have enhanced breasts also say it costs a lot of money.

Regardless, breast augmentation cost depends on the type of plastic surgery performed.

Let's see the average cost of breast augmentation procedures.

Cost of fat transfer augmentation

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, an average surgeon will charge about $4,000 for fat transfer and $3,000 for liposuction. Yet, breast augmentation involving fat injections could cost up to $20,000. [2]

Cost of implant surgery

Breast implants usually cost between $5,000 and $12,000. But, saline implants and silicone breast implants don't cost the same as you may have thought. You need to know that your health insurance won't pay for the cost of getting breast implants because they don't cover cosmetic surgery like this.

Cost of saline breast implants

Saline implants are about $1000 less expensive than their silicone equivalents. The surgery ranges from $5,000 to $10,000, according to Breast Implants by WebMD. [3]

Cost of silicone breast implants

Silicone breast implants are $1,000 to $1,288 more costly than their saline counterparts. You should also think about the cost of follow-up tests called MRI. This test is important to make sure the silicone from the implants isn't leaking into your body. You can learn more about MRI at Cleveland Clinic. [4]

Cost of breast lift

According to American Society of Plastic Surgeons statistics, a breast lift's average cost is $5,012. The regular price they tell you doesn't include some other things you'll need, like the place where they do the surgery and the medicine to make you sleep during it. So, the total cost might end up being more than $5,012. [5]

Factors affecting the price of breast augmentation

The cost of a breast enhancement procedure doesn't only depend on the surgical process. Other elements also contribute to the final price.

Here are some factors determining the total cost of boob jobs:

• The medication surgeon's fee
• Surgical facility and operating room
• Surgical materials
• Anesthesia and Medication Fees
• Medical tests

The medication surgeon's fee

All plastic surgeons don't charge the same fee for plastic surgery. Some plastic surgeons may demand more money for the procedure than others. In 2019, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that the usual amount doctors charge for doing breast implants is around $3,947. [6]

Making breasts smaller through surgery, which is also called breast reduction, costs even more money—about $5,475. It takes much longer than the surgery to make breasts bigger, called augmentation mammaplasty, usually three to four times longer.

You may spend more money if you contact an expensive surgeon for the procedure. Thus, the cosmetic surgeon plays a huge role in determining the operation cost.

Surgical facility and operating room

The surgical facility where the surgeon will operate also affects the final cost. A surgery center or hospital requires a stocking fee for the procedure, which may increase the cost. Meanwhile, a private accredited surgical suite, such as Murphy Plastic Surgery, is a less expensive option. The operating room fee also contributes to the price. [7]

Surgical materials

The price of materials used before, during, and after the surgery also determines the augmentation cost. Some surgical materials you may need for the procedure include bandages, drapes, stitches, and post-surgery garments. Again, the surgeon may insert drainage tubes into your breast after the surgery. You may also have to buy and use a surgical bra.

Anesthesia and medication Fees

The price of the anesthesia and drugs required for the procedure may inflate the expense. Regional and general anesthesia costs between $500 and $3,500 as stated in How Much Does Anesthesia Cost? [8]

Medical tests

Breast augmentation patients need medical evaluation before and after the surgery. These tests can also increase the final cost.

Final thoughts

Boob jobs may be costly, but the outcome often satisfies the needs and desires of those opting for surgery. Meanwhile, it's crucial to note that breast augmentation may not be a lifelong solution. You may need to replace your implants in the future.

It's best to employ a board-certified plastic surgeon for the procedure to reduce complications and weigh your financing options to prevent overspending.

FAQ

References

1. Very Well Health: The 10 Most Common Plastic Surgery Procedures
2. American Society of Plastic Surgeons
3. WebMD: Breast Implants
4. Cleveland Clinic: MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
5. American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Statistics
6. American Society of Plastic Surgeons: 2019 Plastic Surgery Statistics