Category Archives: Augmentation Costs

The Costs of Getting Breast Implants


If you are thinking about getting breast implants, you should be fully aware of the initial and ongoing costs of breast implants. According to 2020 data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average breast augmentation surgery costs $4,516.1

That average cost only includes the plastic surgeon’s fee. It does not include fees for anesthesia, the operating room, or other surgical expenses like bandages or stitches. After all the fees, the surgery usually costs between $5,000 to $8,000. This price includes a follow-up visit after the surgery. Silicone gel breast implants usually cost about $1,000 more than saline implants. If you are considering augmentation, you can request an itemized bill before your surgery to see what all of the costs will be.

If you’re wondering whether you can afford breast implants, there are other costs to be aware of. For example, you may need additional funds for any complications from the implant, such as infection, rupture, pain, or asymmetry. Complication rates for breast augmentation surgeries are higher than you might think. The FDA found that between 20-40% of augmentation patients required at least one revision surgery within 10 years.2

The FDA says that all women getting breast implants should assume that they will require additional surgeries.3

Because these additional surgeries can cost as much — if not more — as the initial surgery, we suggest that women considering breast implants make sure they have at least $5,000-8,000 saved in case any problems arise.

It is important to know that most insurance companies will not cover the costs of breast augmentation surgery. In addition, if you have problems with your breast implants, your insurance plan might not cover things like an MRI, consultations with your doctor, antibiotics, etc. If it is medically necessary to get your implants removed, many insurance companies do not cover the costs of removal if your implants were placed for cosmetic reasons. You can read more about the costs of breast implant revision and removal surgeries here.

All articles are reviewed and approved by Dr. Diana Zuckerman and other senior staff.

The Costs of Revising or Removing Breast Implants


Breast implants are not lifetime devices and complications are common. Based on studies conducted by implant companies, the FDA concluded that as many as 20% of augmentation patients will have to have their implants removed within 8-10 years.4 Since many women dropped out of the original safety and efficacy studies (read more here), the proportion of women needing additional surgery is likely much higher. Revision or removal surgeries often cost as much as the initial surgery, if not more. Revision surgeries might involve replacing implants or correcting the visual appearance of breast implants. If problems with your breast implants are bad enough or can’t be fixed, it may be necessary to permanently remove the implants.

In 2020, the average surgeon’s fee for removal of breast implants was $3,049, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons but that does not include the additional costs of surgery such as anesthesia.5 Our review of various plastic surgery websites revealed that the total average cost for breast implant removal is between $5,000-$8,000. The cost of removal varies by surgeon, geographic region, and the complexity of the procedure. If you choose to replace your implants, you can expect to pay an additional $2,500-$3,500.

Some women choose to instead have a breast lift, either following a permanent removal of implants or in addition to replacement implants. A breast lift typically costs another $5,000. A breast lift without replacement implants is a good option for women who want to avoid future surgeries or complications from implants. A breast lift is a one-time expense, but the replacement implants are likely to need to be replaced in later years.

There are many reasons women will need to have additional surgery to remove or revise their breast implants. Implant companies admit that breast implants will not last a lifetime, even if your surgeon told you that they would. Rupture, capsular contracture, and cosmetic corrections are some of the most common reasons women need to have additional surgeries. Depending on the complexity of the procedure, the costs of removing your breast implants may be much higher. Removal of breast implants can be very expensive, especially if they are leaking silicone gel.

If you are looking to have your breast implants removed, it is recommended that you look for a surgeon who is experienced in en bloc removal, especially if you have leaking silicone gel filled breast implants. An en bloc removal is when the surgeon removes the scar tissue (or capsule) and implant at the same time, with the implant still inside the intact scar tissue capsule. En bloc removal prevents silicone, other chemicals, and bacteria from leaking into the woman’s body during surgery. En bloc removal prices vary by surgeon, geographic region, and the complexity of the procedure, but average around $8,000. If you decide you want to have your implants removed, you can learn more about finding a plastic surgeon here.

Some insurance companies do not cover the costs of removal if your implants were placed for cosmetic reasons. Insurance plans that do cover removal require that patients prove that explant surgery is “medically necessary.” Symptoms that are considered medically necessary reasons for breast implant removal vary by plan but typically include rupture, capsular contracture (Baker level III or IV), infection, and chronic pain. You will also need a doctor to advocate for you and communicate to your insurance company that removal is medically necessary. You can read more about trying to get insurance coverage for your breast implant removal here or contact us at info@breastimplantinfo.org.

All articles are reviewed and approved by Diana Zuckerman, PhD, and other senior staff.