Did you know that breast augmentation is the second most popular plastic surgery in the United States behind liposuction? Over 300,000 of these surgeries are performed each year, and many women find satisfactory results.
Are you curious about the cost for breast augmentation in NYC? Breast augmentation is a costly procedure, but you will find longer-lasting and more significant results. It is an ideal treatment for changing breast size and shape. It can even replace breasts completely or fix asymmetries.
Luckily, we break all this down for you in our complete guide on breast augmentation. Keep reading on and learn more about what breast augmentation is, how much it will cost, and how it stacks up to other common cosmetic and plastic surgeries!
What Is Breast Augmentation?
Breast augmentation is a surgical procedure used to enhance your breasts’ shape, size, or look. Modern-day advances have made breast enhancement surgery more natural-looking and feeling through several different techniques such as fat transfers or implants.
The goal of enhancing breast tissue has been a hot topic for medical experts since the late 1800s. In 1895, one of the first documented attempts at breast enhancement was made via fat transfers. By the 1950s, medical professionals advanced toward implants, but these were plagued with several health concerns and issues, such as:
- Leaking chemicals
- Contractures
- Infections
- Erosion
It wasn’t until 1960 that more strides were taken on the safety and effectiveness of breast enhancement surgery with the invention of silicone implants. In the United States, saline implants were still the method of choice based on safety until the mid-2000s, when silicone implants were better designed.
What Happens During Breast Augmentation Surgery?
Before you undergo surgery, your plastic surgeon will extensively review the procedure and implant choices with you. It is essential you disclose any previous medical history and current medication use. There are some medications that will need to be stopped before surgery.
Breast augmentation is an invasive procedure that requires anesthesia. You will be unconscious throughout the entire surgery and should not feel any pain. Without complications, the surgery is fairly quick, but it will take longer if you also need a breast lift or nipple realignment.
You will need someone to drive you home, so bring along a trusted family member or friend to help you out! If you choose silicone implants, they are pre-filled and ready to be placed once your surgeon has made their incisions.
Saline implants are placed in the pocket first before being filled. Afterward, your surgeon will check for symmetry before closing the incisions. You will likely be a little bit groggy when waking up from surgery.
You should have pain medications on board to help with any discomfort.
What To Expect After Breast Augmentation
Immediately after surgery, your surgeon will wrap your breasts with a bra or soft elastic band. This helps with swelling, surgical sites, and supports your healing process.
The first week requires the most patience as you may experience discomfort, swelling, and limited movements. After a week, you could start light activities. This is solely based on your surgeons’ judgment call, and you should clarify with their office before starting work, overhead activities, or exercise.
In most cases, you can resume exercise or physically demanding activities within three weeks. After two months, most or all restrictions should be removed. If there are any continuing discomfort, pain, or limitations, talk to your surgeon.
Breast Augmentation Risks
Since it is a surgical procedure, there are some risks involved with breast augmentation surgery. These complications could affect your final cost, as you may need revisions, antibiotics, or further consultation. Here are the most common breast augmentation risks:
- Scarring
- Infection
- Numbness
- Wrinkling
- Fluid accumulation
- Leaking
Most of these complications are rare and mitigated by a skilled and qualified surgeon.
Are Breast Implants Safe?
The FDA has approved two types of breast implants: saline-filled and silicone-filled. To reach FDA approval, implants or other medical devices undergo rigorous testing. These implants are safe for most adults and are only distributed to qualified health care providers.
The FDA has a few recommendations to help you reduce complications and surgical risks:
- Ask your surgeon about their expertise
- Ask your surgeon about previous breast implant patients
- Ask about different implants and how they will impact your life
- Discuss expectations (e.g., size, shape, material, texture, position)
You can decrease most complications or unsatisfactory results with open communication with your surgeon beforehand. Most technologically advanced clinics should have up-to-date imaging and models that help you view yourself post-surgery with the size, shape, and implant you initially choose.
This helps give you a better perspective on any changes that need to happen before the day of surgery. Lastly, you will need to monitor your breasts for any complications. You will need regular MRIs to check for silent leaks with saline implants.
Saline Implants vs. Silicone Implants
Before diving further into the costs of breast implants, it helps to understand saline versus silicone breast implants better. On average, saline implants are less expensive than silicone.
They have a long-standing history in the breast implant industry and are filled with saline water within a silicone shell. The primary benefit of saline implants is reducing your risk of silent leaks.
If they do leak, the saline water is safely reabsorbed into your body. It also requires smaller incision sites since it is filled after being placed. However, here are some downsides to saline implants:
- Higher risks of rippling
- Less natural feeling
- Risks of overfilling
Silicone implants are newer surgical techniques that are costlier. It includes the same shell as saline implants but is pre-filled with silicone.
They come in various sizes and materials, with cohesive silicone implants increasing in popularity. The benefits of choosing silicone implants are they look and feel more natural.
More women enjoy this feature since it is less likely to result in rippling. On the flip side, if a silicone implant ruptures, it is much harder to detect and requires immediate surgical intervention.
You will need an MRI every two to three years, which is only available for patients over 22. As mentioned earlier, it is also more expensive but lasts 15 years on average.
Cost for Breast Augmentation in NYC
Have you tried searching for “breast augmentation NYC cost”? Even within NYC, breast enhancement surgery costs may vary based on:
- Location
- Clinic fees
- Type of breast implant
- Other surgeries
On average, breast augmentation surgery costs between $6,000 and $12,000. Part of what goes into the final price tag for surgery is:
- Surgeon’s fees
- Implants
- Clinic or facility fees
- Tests
- Anesthesia
- Pain medication
In 2020, the average cost of surgeon’s fees alone was nearly $5,000. Other surgeries may also tack on a few additional costs.
For example, it is not uncommon that during the procedure, your experienced surgeon will move your nipples for a better cosmetic alignment. If you opt for a fat transfer and include it with liposuction, that will accrue additional costs.
Does Insurance Cover Breast Surgery?
This is a bit of a gray area, but typically, no. The few instances where breast surgery may be covered are transgender surgeries and breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Not every plastic surgeon in NYC has experience with transgender procedures, and it is crucial that you pick a clinic that specializes in transgender breast augmentation.
It is more likely that you will have options for insurance coverage by choosing a surgeon who has experience working with similar patients. For other reasons, insurance coverage is slim. Most insurance providers will only cover “medically necessary” procedures.
If you need breast reconstruction after cancer or injury, it may be covered. The best way to find out is to contact your insurance provider and ask about pricing estimates and coverage.
How To Find Low-Cost Breast Surgeries
You should never base your breast augmentation on surgical costs alone. When shopping around for breast augmentation surgery, don’t choose the clinic with the lowest costs. You want a clinic and plastic surgeon who is:
- Experienced
- Licensed
- Reputable
Read online reviews and ask family and friends for suggestions. You can also check their before and after pictures, schedule a consultation, and inquire about pricing estimates. You have a greater likelihood of surgical complications, revisions, and long-term complications if you choose a low-cost clinic without the experience, knowledge, and expertise to perform the surgery safely and correctly.
Will You Need To Replace Your Implant?
Breast implants are safer and less prone to leaks than years prior, making them a more suitable option for women who have worries about silent leaks and ruptures. Yet, that doesn’t mean they will last forever.
The FDA recommends that women with silicone implants receive MRIs every two years to check for ruptures and avoid complications. Typically, breast implants last between ten and twenty years.
Afterward, you may need a replacement. Although, ask your surgeon about a manufacturer’s warranty to see if a replacement is covered. Why do you need to replace your implant?
Everyone responds differently, and breast implants are constantly changing and evolving – for the better! Over time, they have an increased risk for:
- Scar tissue
- Ruptures
- Wrinkling
- Sagging
Fat transfers have fewer chances of lasting long periods since your body naturally reabsorbs the fat cells. To take care of your breast implants and help longevity, ensure you follow proper aftercare instructions, including regular screening and breast exams.
Breast Augmentation Costs vs. Other Plastic Surgeries
How does breast augmentation compare to other implants, fillers, or reduction surgeries in NYC? Let’s break down the procedures a bit further, including:
- Abdominoplasty
- Skin tag removal
- Chin implant
- Lip fillers
- Chin reduction
- Other breast surgeries
Remember that plastic surgeries depend on the extensiveness of the procedure, any patient complications, and body area. A chin filler or augmentation is likely more affordable than a breast implant based on the complexity and smaller surgical region.
Breast Augmentation vs. Cheap Tummy Tuck in NYC
A tummy tuck or abdominoplasty is a surgical procedure to help slim and tone your abdomen. Most women choose this procedure because they have excess skin from pregnancy or extreme weight loss. At its core, a tummy tuck is a surgical body contouring procedure not meant for extreme weight loss.
You should be at your ideal weight and not plan on having more children. The benefit of this procedure is choosing a mini tummy tuck that targets the lower portion of your abdomen. It is less invasive and may also be more affordable.
The average tummy tuck costs nationally are $6,092. In NYC, those costs could be higher, and you should expect averages of up to $8,000 or more, depending on other surgeries or additional fees.
Breast Augmentation vs. Skin Tag Removal in NYC
A skin tag removal is a simpler cosmetic procedure. There are various at-home kits that claim you can remove skin tags yourself. Unfortunately, while these are cost-friendly options, they are rarely successful.
A dermatologist or plastic surgeon can remove skin tags using electrocautery or cryotherapy. The technique depends on where you have skin tags and the delicacy of the region. Larger skin tags in less sensitive regions may require lidocaine and sterile scissors.
Since you are not undergoing anesthesia, this procedure is much more affordable than breast augmentation.
Breast Augmentation vs. Chin Implant Cost in NYC
Chin augmentation or implant is a similar surgical technique to breast augmentation that enhances or contours your chin. It helps balance your facial contours or improve symmetry.
There are two types of chin surgery options: implants and repositioning. Depending on what you and your surgeon think are most appropriate will help with final surgical cost estimates. This procedure will likely cost less than your breast augmentation surgery.
The cost of chin implants averages $2,364. A chin reduction surgery in NYC has the same goals (e.g., improved facial contouring) but a different technique. Your surgeon will not use implants or fillers.
Instead, they will shape or shave your bone for softer definitions. Often, women searching for “chin reduction surgery NYC” will combine this procedure with a facelift or neck lift.
Lifts are more costly and will add thousands of dollars to your final surgical cost, but the results will be more defining and cosmetically appealing!
Breast Augmentation vs. Lip Fillers NYC Cost
There are three primary lip fillers: fillers, fat transfer, or implants. It enhances your lips’ symmetry, shape, or fullness and is a more minor cosmetic procedure than breast augmentation.
During your consultation, your qualified surgeon will review general costs, expectations, and aftercare. The benefit of choosing a dermal filler is you avoid anesthesia costs and post-treatment appointments. Fat injections and implants require more sedation or aftercare appointments, making them a more costly procedure.
Since it includes a smaller surface region and less surgical time than breast augmentation, you can expect the cost for lip fillers in NYC to be less than breast augmentation.
Breast Surgeries NYC Costs
There are several other breast surgeries that you have the option of deciding between at your Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery clinics, such as:
- 24-hour mini-incision breast augmentation
- Breast lift
- Breast reduction
The mini-incision rapid Recovery breast augmentation technique is a new and innovative breast surgery technique. This technique requires fewer surgical incisions and faster recovery times, with 90% of patients returning to normal day-to-day activities such as driving and working within 24 hours.
This latest technique improves healing and reduces pain or discomfort. Ask your physician about whether you are a candidate or not to help determine overall costs. Since it is a surgical procedure, you will have surgeon’s cost, clinic fees, and anesthesia.
A breast lift is a surgical procedure that does not use implants. Rather, your plastic surgeon takes existing breast tissue and repositions it to your liking for better shape and contour. It is an ideal procedure for women who do not want to change breast size and would rather change breast shape.
In some instances, women combine a breast lift and implant. The cost of a breast implant is slightly cheaper (likely based on the lack of implants used) than breast augmentation. Average breast implant prices are just under $5,000.
Lastly, a breast reduction is a procedure where your surgeon removes excess breast tissue to size your breasts down. If you have back pain or postural problems, it could be from larger breasts. Some women also don’t like the appearance of large breasts and want a smaller size.
It also requires anesthesia but does not use implants, which will likely reduce costs slightly.
Are Costs for Plastic Surgery Increasing?
In 1998, 126,913 breast augmentation surgeries were performed. By 2021, annual breast augmentation procedures increased to 364,753. Costs rose 41.4%, while general medical care services increased by 132% and hospital services by 230%!
Experts have found that there is greater cost transparency and fewer restrictions on insurance coverage. Since most patients pay out-of-pocket, it is not driving the costs higher as seen in other medical care services. It is also unlikely that insurance coverage will change any time soon for procedures that fall under “cosmetic” or “not medically necessary.”
Is Breast Augmentation Worth It?
Now that you know a breast augmentation procedure will cost thousands of dollars and is unlikely to qualify for insurance coverage, is it worth it? In one word: yes! Here are a few key reasons breast augmentation could be worth it for you:
- Fewer complications and side effects
- Long-lasting
- Improved confidence
- Quick recovery
- Natural-looking
Compared to other minimally invasive or non-invasive procedures, breast augmentation is a more permanent and drastic change. If you want to increase several breast sizes or fix asymmetry, this is a procedure for you.
It is ideal for women who are self-conscious about smaller breasts or experienced breast changes from pregnancy, age, or weight loss. Since the medical field has advanced dramatically over several decades, breast augmentation is a much safer, quicker, and more efficacious procedure.
What Do the Studies Show?
One of the primary reasons women choose breast augmentation is the cosmetic appearance. The shape, size, or asymmetry of your breasts could make you feel self-conscious or lower your confidence. Ultimately, your surgeon may recommend counseling or therapy for broader concerns.
However, breast augmentation has shown positive results in patient satisfaction and quality of life. A study looked at 60 married women that had breast augmentation surgery. After six weeks, they were given a patient satisfaction questionnaire that looked at:
- Overall breast satisfaction
- Psychosocial well-being
- Sexual well-being
The researchers took these results and found three significant relationships. The women reported statistically significant improvements in:
- Quality of life
- Breast satisfaction
- Marital relationships
Although the costs are higher than other procedures, the results are promising. Another study used similar patient satisfaction questionnaires but followed up with women nine months post-surgery from a fat transfer or saline implant. The women noted significant improvements with:
- Breast satisfaction
- Psychological well-being
- Sexual well-being
The researchers also noted slight Improvements in fat transfers over saline implants with psychological well-being. While fat transfers had higher immediate satisfaction and results, longer-term studies comparing the two are needed to see more drastic long-term differences.
Find a Breast Augmentation Clinic Today
Have you wondered about the cost for breast augmentation in NYC? Breast augmentation is an invasive surgical procedure that helps you improve breast size or shape.
Many women find that their sexual life, psychosocial well-being, and breast satisfaction improve drastically after surgery. If you have concerns about the cost of breast augmentation surgery in NYC, talk to your qualified plastic surgeon about financing and pricing options.
At Greenberg Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology, we specialize in helping many women like yourself find satisfaction with their breasts. Contact us today for more information!
Leave a Reply