How Much Does Breast Augmentation and Implants Cost in Los Angeles?

Of all the types of plastic surgery prostheses available today, breast implants are the most popular. People who get breast implants do so to make the size of their breasts larger. Breast implants help restore feminine features in women whose breasts are removed following a mastectomy because of cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.

Breast asymmetry due to puberty-related developmental issues, past surgeries, injuries, etc., can also be corrected with breast implants. Implants have come a long way to yield natural-feeling results in sub-muscular placement. Still, prices for the same procedure can vary significantly between surgeons and cities. It may make you wonder, "How much are breast implants" in your location.

Keep reading to learn how breast implants are priced, whether health insurance covers the surgery, available financing options, and how to choose a qualified surgeon. 

Factors That Influence Breast Implant Surgery Pricing

Breast implant surgery is a great way to enhance your breasts' size, fullness, shape, contour, and overall aesthetic. Advances in breast implant technology make this procedure effective and, more importantly, safe. Breast implants enable individuals to achieve beautiful, natural-looking results that can boost their confidence and quality of life. The following are factors that play a role in breast implant surgery pricing;

Plastic Surgeon Board Certification and Experience

Choosing an experienced plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) is critical. It guarantees your doctor has adequate training and the expertise to handle any complications during surgery. The ABPS governing body also holds certified surgeons to a high ethical standard, which ensures the safety and overall well-being of patients. While selecting a more experienced, board-certified surgeon may cost more, you will get value for your money.

Type of Breast Implants

There are two types of FDA-approved breast implants, each with distinctive pros and cons, as discussed below.

• Silicone Gel-Filled Breast Implants

They are more pricey than saline implants because the product used is expensive to manufacture and considerably durable. Silicone implants have varying degrees of firmness to match the natural feel of breast tissue and don't cause allergic reactions.

This makes them ideal for breast augmentation, reconstruction, and revision surgeries in women over 22 years. While silicone breast implant rupture is uncommon, undetected leaks may cause pain or changes in overall breast definition.

• Saline-Filled Breast Implants

These are considerably cost-effective and come in different sizes with either textured or smooth outer shells that are filled with a sterile saline (saltwater) solution. Saline-based implants can be custom-filled to the desired size during implantation, which is why they're preferred for revision and breast augmentation surgeries.

Among the benefits of saline breast implants is the lack of health concerns should leakage occur because the body can absorb the saltwater filling. Moreover, the incision sites are much smaller because empty implants are inserted into the breast cavity and then filled up to form asymmetrical breasts.

Always schedule a consultation with a certified surgeon first and discuss your breast implant options to ensure you make an informed decision.

Geographical Location

The cost of breast implant surgery, including all other cosmetic procedures, varies from one city to the next. For example, plastic surgery costs in Beverly Hills are significantly higher than in Los Angeles. You will come across rates set by board-certified city surgeons who charge top-tier fees, as opposed to new practitioners who are still learning the ropes or suburban specialists. Subsequently, advertised costs can appear much lower than the true total cost in a busy metropolitan practice.

Surgery Fees

Beyond the surgeon's fees, the cost of your breast implant surgery may include related fees, such as local or general anesthesia. Additional expenses include surgical facility/operating room fees, prescription medications, post-operative garments, and pain medication. If needed, you should also account for follow-up care expenses and related medical tests.

Post-Op Breast Implant Maintenance Fees

Depending on the surgery outcome, your doctor may schedule follow-up appointments to remove drainage tubes and surgical stitches or scar tissue formation from previous implants. Additionally, while quality silicone or saline implants last for about 10 to 15 years, they can be removed or replaced due to leakage, ruptures, changes in position, palpability, etc. These complications primarily result from normal wear and tear.

This is why it's critical to work with a board-certified plastic surgeon, follow all post-surgery instructions, and schedule regular MRIs to check for implant irregularities. Should there be a need for implant adjustments or removal, some health insurance plans may cover the cost. If not, be prepared to pay a little over $3,000 in out-of-pocket costs for post-op surgery.

Note: this amount doesn't include doctor fees, anesthesia, surgical facility costs, medication, medical tests, compression garments, and other related expenses. It's advisable to consult your surgeon first to get a complete maintenance fee breakdown. 

Cost of Breast Implants in Los Angeles

On average, breast implant surgery costs $7,500 to $12,500 in Los Angeles, depending on the above-mentioned factors. Giving an exact figure is difficult because every patient has different needs, so your surgeon will consider that. The best way to determine the price range is to schedule a comprehensive consultation with the Burbank Plastic Surgery team.

There are also several financing options you can pursue. Check with your insurance company to determine if they cover breast implantation, especially if you're undergoing reconstructive surgery following a mastectomy. Below is an analysis of insurance coverage and breast implant financing options.

• Health Insurance and Breast Implants Surgery

Insurance companies consider breast augmentation cosmetic surgery just like nose jobs or facelifts done solely to enhance one's appearance. As such, most insurers don't cover breast enlargement. They also don't pay for complications arising from breast implant surgery or treatment for breast diseases that may occur post-surgery.

Therefore, most patients undergoing breast implant surgery must pay out-of-pocket for the procedure. Conversely, some health insurance companies cover breast implants for women who've had mastectomies due to breast cancer. However, if you require further surgery, your health insurance may not pay for it.

If the surgery is for aesthetic purposes, it's important to consult your health insurance provider to determine if any of the costs are covered. Having breast implants can potentially affect your insurance rates. Additionally, ask your insurer if diagnostic tests such as MRIs or mammograms are covered should  there be post-surgery-related expenses

• Breast Implants Financing Options

The most Googled question regarding this subject is "how much are breast implants?" Surgery cost is among the main reasons most people put off getting breast implants since health insurance companies don't cover the costs of cosmetic procedures. While breast reconstruction due to cancer is an exception to this rule, insurance coverage or paying out-of-pocket makes getting surgery prohibitive to most people. To that end, some surgeons offer financing plans to make surgery more accessible.

Also, patients can opt for personal loans, banks or credit unions, special care credit cards, online crowdfunding, etc. For example, CareCredit's cosmetic and beauty financing credit helps cover various cosmetic procedures for minimum monthly payments. If you decide to pay for your breast implant procedure with a credit card, sign up for a low or zero-interest credit card. Alternatively, check if you qualify for a personal loan from your bank or a credit union because both often have much lower interest rates. Consider, too, online crowdfunding platforms such as GetCosmetic and My Free Implants to help pay for your breast implant surgery. 

What to Look for When Choosing a Breast Implant Surgeon

Picking a qualified surgeon for your breast implant can be challenging and time-consuming. With so many things to bear in mind, from a surgeon's qualifications to their experience and previous work, it's imperative that you research. If you decide to have the surgery, do your due diligence to find an experienced surgeon. As with any major surgery, breast implant procedures come with risks.

But, you can alleviate them by working with a highly skilled doctor you can trust to perform the surgery safely.

• Look for a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). They undergo rigorous surgical training to gain this highly-coveted recognition.

• In case you already have an ABPS-certified surgeon in mind, find out how often they perform breast implant surgeries. Your surgeon will have to decide the correct implant shape for your body to achieve optimal results, so you want someone who does this surgery regularly.

• Research the surgery center to ensure the facility is accredited.

• Get references from past patients who've had breast implants to get first-hand accounts of their experiences.

• Once you've narrowed down your list of potential surgeons, schedule appointments and make the most of your consultation. You need the surgeon to be someone you can fully entrust with your procedure.

Schedule Your Breast Augmentation Surgery at Burbank Plastic Surgery

Breast implant surgery is a safe procedure with little to no side effects, especially when you're in the hands of a talented plastic surgeon with a highly-professional team. If you've lost breast volume or definition over the years and want a boost in self-confidence with a more natural look, consider getting breast implants. You can cost-effectively regain your femininity, plus recovery from breast implant surgery is relatively quick and easy. Book a comprehensive consultation with Burbank Plastic Surgery today to get a treatment plan and pricing that's tailored to your needs.