Deciding to get breast implants is not a trivial matter. We've discussed some of the factors involved 
in making the decision in earlier posts (the Breast Augmentation Basics series). When deciding which cosmetic surgeon to choose, it's natural to consider personal referrals, experience (number of breast augmentation patients, and before and after photos), and your personal rapport with the surgeon and office staff.
What about the overall cost of breast augmentation? You really want to know about that, don't you?
This is an important factor. The economy is not exactly booming, at least for most people, and breast implants, though desirable, are not to be had at the expense of food and shelter. Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic procedures out there, but this does not make it a commodity.
We'll define the cost of breast augmentation as the total paid by you, the patient. You've probably noticed that it is hard to find published information on the cost of breast augmentation. There are few, if any, cosmetic surgeon websites that post pricing, and it can be challenging to get the information over the phone or by email.
It can be frustrating for the information gatherer to get exact pricing information without scheduling a consultation or visit. Why does it have to be that way? It doesn't. You should be able to honestly call, or email, an office, and promptly and courteously receive an accurate quotation about the total cost of a breast augmentation procedure. Granted, a final quotation cannot be guaranteed without an in-person consultation and exam. Sometimes, more than a simple augmentation may be needed.
On the other hand, it's not too hard to find ads online that list pricing for breast augmentation, laser treatments, liposuction, and injections (like Botox and dermal fillers). These ads can be transient, and are often linked to specials or limited promotions.
There are some sites (like Realself.com) that will collect reviews and pricing information on certain procedures. This can be a good place to start, depending on your location.
Let's say you now have a price, quotation, or cost breakdown. What now? The total cost of breast augmentation should include everything, with no hidden or incidental fees. So, what are we talking about?
- All visits - the initial consultation, pre-, and post-op visits
- Facility and overhead fees
- Surgeon's and other professional fees (anesthesia, for example)
- The implants themselves (this should be obvious)
- Medications, if dispensed by the office
- Recovery garments
It's easy to see how this can get confusing. Wouldn't you hate to get a quotation that looked pretty good, only to receive another large bill for a facility fee?
With all of these line items, it can be hard to compare apples to apples when looking at several quotations. If you receive a line item quotation, be sure to ask about anything that does not make sense.
Some of these items cost virtually every surgeon the exact same amount. The price of the actual implants, for instance, should not vary. There are only 2-3 suppliers that every surgeon in the US chooses from, and the pricing range is very narrow. If you see big differences in the cost of the implants (should that line item be broken out), be sure to ask why.
Facility fees and other professional fees may vary somewhat, but you should not see large differences within a given region. You will likely see some variation in the surgeon's fees, and there can be many reasons for this. If you encounter some real outliers (on the high or low side), but sure to ask why. Perhaps that high priced surgeon is simply world famous, and achieves results that are without par.
At GLOW Skin Revived, we always one simple price that is all inclusive. No hidden fees, no complex line items, and no mystery. If you'd like to learn more about our pricing, and how we can help you with your breast augmentation, feel free to contact us at any time.
