Boob Job Cost and Procedure Guide

Thinking about getting breast surgery? Whether you’re interested in increasing volume with breast augmentation, restoring a more youthful contour with a breast lift or relieving discomfort with a breast reduction, these three procedures are among the most popular options for improving the shape, size and overall appearance of your breasts.

Read on to learn more about the average costs, what to expect for different types of procedures and potential financing options that may help you tackle costs.

What Is a Boob Job?

Breast surgery, sometimes called a “boob job,” is a term used to describe a range of breast procedures designed to change the size, shape or position of the breasts. These include breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction procedures.

• Breast augmentation uses an implant — filled with either saline or silicone — or transfers fat from another part of the body to increase the size and shape of the breasts. The position and size of the areola are not changed in a breast augmentation.
• Breast reduction, also called a reduction mammoplasty, decreases the size of the breasts by removing fat, tissue and skin. This procedure may include repositioning or reducing the size of the areola.
• Breast lift, also called mastopexy, changes the position of the breast by removing and/or tightening the breast tissue and skin to lift and reshape the breasts. This procedure may include repositioning and reducing the size of the areola.

These breast surgeries can be performed separately or in combination, depending on your needs and desired outcome.

Calculate the cost of breast procedures near you**

How Much Does Breast Augmentation Surgery Cost?

The national average cost^** of breast augmentation surgery is $6,721, but costs can range from $4,667 to $11,186, depending on where you live. The total price can also vary based on costs for the surgical center, anesthesia, operating room or surgeon as well as other related expenses.¹

The cost of breast augmentation can also vary based on the specific type, size and profile of the implant used. For example, silicone breast implants tend to cost more than saline breast implants.²

Breast augmentation cost with fat transfer

Breast augmentation with fat transfer uses liposuction to remove fat from one part of the body and transfer it to the breasts. Due to the added procedure, fat transfer breast augmentations are often more expensive than breast augmentation with implants.

Average cost of a breast augmentation by state/district

Here is the average cost^** of breast augmentation surgery based on your state or district.¹

How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost?

The national average cost^** of breast lift surgery is $7,792, but the cost can range from $5,189 to $13,513, depending on where you live. The total price of a breast lift will also be affected by incision technique, surgeon experience, anesthesia and facility costs.¹

The cost of a breast lift will also increase if it is performed in conjunction with a breast augmentation or a breast reduction procedure.

Average cost of a breast lift by state/district

Here is the average cost^** of breast lift surgery based on your state or district.¹

How Much Does a Breast Reduction Cost?

The national average cost^** of breast reduction surgery is $8,579, but total costs can range from $5,624 to $14,581 based on where you live. That price does not account for costs for the hospital or surgical center, anesthesia, operating room or surgeon as well as other related expenses.¹

Average cost of a breast reduction by state/district

Here is the average cost^** of breast reduction surgery by state and district.¹

Additional Breast Surgery Costs to Consider

There are a number of factors that can add to the total cost of any type of breast surgery. These include:

• Consultation fee
• Preoperative and postoperative appointments
• Anesthesia fees
• Hospital or surgical facility costs
• Medical tests
• Post-surgery garments
• Prescriptions for medication
• Surgeon’s fee
• Overnight fees (if needed)

Are Breast Surgeries Covered by Insurance?

Breast augmentation and breast lifts are generally considered cosmetic procedures, and not often covered by insurance. However, in some cases, breast reduction surgery may be covered by your insurance if it is deemed necessary to treat symptoms such as chronic back or neck pain, shoulder grooving or skin rashes. Check with your insurance provider, as you may need to get authorization first.

How Can You Pay for Breast Surgery?

There are several ways to pay for breast surgery, depending on your budget and what options are offered by your surgeon. Some people may opt to save and pay up front with cash, check or a debit card. Others may choose a payment plan offered through the practice.

If you’d prefer to pay over time, the CareCredit credit card is another option that many patients use for out-of-pocket health and wellness services. If approved, you can make monthly payments (with promotional financing options where available); terms, approval and minimum monthly payments vary, so review the details and ask the office whether they accept CareCredit before deciding.

How Does Breast Surgery Work?

Here’s what to expect if you’re getting breast surgery like a breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction.

Breast surgery preparation

Before breast surgery, you should schedule a consultation with your surgeon to discuss your desired outcomes, current medical conditions and health history. Your surgeon will evaluate your breasts, including taking measurements and photos. In some cases, you may be asked to get a baseline mammogram or complete blood work.

In the days and weeks leading up to a breast surgery, your doctor may ask you to stop smoking, avoid aspirin or other blood-thinning herbal supplements, and start, stop or adjust medications.

Breast surgery is usually an outpatient procedure — unless combined with other procedures as in a ”mommy makeover” — and may be performed at a hospital or surgical center.

Breast surgery procedure

Whether you are undergoing a breast augmentation, breast lift or breast reduction, your breast surgery procedure will include the same general steps.

1. Anesthesia: Before the procedure, you will be sedated through intravenous sedation or general anesthesia.
2. Incision: Depending on the procedure, the surgeon will make incisions on the breast around the areola, under the lower fold of the breast or in the armpit.
3. Breast adjustment: Adjustments will then be made to the breasts based on the procedure you’re getting, such as having an implant added for a breast augmentation, removing tissue for a breast reduction or repositioning tissue and removing excess skin for a breast lift.
4. Sutures and dressing: Once the breast adjustments have been made, the incisions will be closed with sutures, skin adhesive or surgical tape. Breasts will often then be wrapped with gauze and fitted with a support bra to help minimize swelling.

After the procedure, you will be brought to a recovery room as the anesthesia wears off. You should have someone available to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours after the procedure.

Breast surgery recovery

After breast surgery, you may experience discomfort, pain and swelling. In some cases, you may have a small drain placed under the skin to remove excess fluid. Follow your surgeon’s directions on taking pain medications and antibiotics, as well as how to care for the incision sites. Regardless of your procedure, you should limit physical activity until cleared by your doctor.

The final results of your breast surgery will be revealed over the following few months as swelling decreases and the incisions heal.

Potential Side Effects or Complications of Breast Surgery

Breast augmentations, lifts and reductions are surgical procedures and may result in complications or side effects including the following:

• Complications from anesthesia
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Seromas
• Hematomas
• Breast/nipple sensation changes
• Breast asymmetry
• Fat necrosis
• Poor scarring

Be sure to discuss potential side effects or complications from your breast procedure with your surgeon during your consultation.

Take the Next Step Toward Breast Surgery

Ready to schedule your breast surgery? Whether you’re looking to enhance breast volume with an augmentation, reduce discomfort through a breast reduction or restore shape with a breast lift, breast surgery can help you achieve aesthetic goals so you feel more comfortable and confident in your body. Understanding the costs, recovery process and potential outcomes can help you make an informed decision as you move forward with your consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still curious about breast surgery? Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Financing Breast Surgery With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for breast surgery and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Expert Reviewer

Dr. Justin West, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Dr. Justin West, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a board-certified plastic surgeon and is the medical director at Finesse Plastic Surgery in Orange, California, focusing on aesthetic surgery of the face, breasts and body. He creates results that enhance his patients’ natural beauty and has been recognized throughout his career with awards that include Top Surgeon in Newport Beach, RealSelf Top Contributor and Top Doctor and Patients’ Choice.

Author Bio

Kate Bayless is a health and wellness freelance writer with 15 years of experience. Her work has appeared in Parents, Women's Health, Beachbody and OpenFit.