The average cost of breast reduction in Washington state is $5,500. Breast reduction surgery is one of the more common plastic surgery procedures performed in the United States, with more than 200,000 women undergoing it annually.
This type of procedure can help women who are experiencing back pain because they have large breasts, or who are suffering from neck pain due to their breasts’ weight pulling down on their shoulders and upper back. It also helps those who suffer from skin irritation due to the friction between their breasts and clothing, as well as those who experience skin rashes due to sweating under their breasts.
Some patients seek breast reduction for cosmetic reasons as well: if they feel self-conscious about their body image because they feel that their breasts are too large or too small for them, or if they wish to increase their confidence by having a smaller bust line with a more balanced proportion between the upper body and lower body parts.
In any case, there are several factors that can affect how much this procedure costs: location (where you live), how many procedures you’ve already had done (previous surgeries might affect how much money your insurance company will pay out), whether you’re going through this alone or with a partner (your partner might
average cost of breast reduction in washington state
Breast reduction is performed under a general anaesthetic. It can take between one-and-a-half to three hours.
There are several different surgical procedures for breast reduction. Excess skin and fat is removed. Your breasts are reshaped and the nipples are repositioned. All procedures result in a scar around the areola (dark area around the nipple) and each method results in additional scarring. Your surgeon will discuss each procedure with you and together you will decide which is best in your particular case. Breast reduction can also be used to correct asymmetry (imbalance) of your breasts.
Going home after breast reduction surgery
Patients are usually required to stay in hospital one to two nights. You will have dressings on your breasts and there may be drains (plastic tubes). The drains are usually removed before you leave hospital.
You will be given post-operative pain killers and instructions regarding your dressings and any stitches you may have.
Most patients are mobile from day one and return to normal activities within six weeks. However everyone heals differently. Be sure and discuss your return to work with your surgeon.
HOW MUCH DOES BREAST REDUCTION COST?
Many individuals in Washington DC choose to undergo plastic surgery to improve their appearance and boost their self-esteem.
And while most patients are extremely happy with their cosmetic enhancements, women who have breast reduction appreciate aesthetic as well as significant health benefits.
So, it’s not surprising that breast reduction surgery has an extremely high rate of patient satisfaction.
However, the procedure can also be quite pricey, and many women considering treatment are concerned about breast reduction cost.
Continue reading to learn all about breast reduction cost, including associated fees and whether insurance will cover some or all of the expense.
If you are interested in decreasing breast volume and size with surgery, you may be wondering: How much does breast reduction cost?
On average, breast reduction cost in the U.S. is $5,000. This amount only accounts for the surgeon’s fee, which can vary greatly depending on provider skill, credentials, experience, and reputation.
What Factors Can Affect Breast Reduction Cost?
In addition to your surgeon’s fee, breast reduction cost routinely includes facility fees, anesthesia fees, medications cost, surgical garment cost, traveling expenses (if the surgery is performed out-of-state), as well as pre-op labs and testing fees.
As such, it’s important to get a detailed estimate of your breast reduction cost so you aren’t surprised at the final price of the procedure.
Is Breast Reduction Covered by Insurance?
While many women seek surgery to improve breast appearance, figure proportions, and how their clothes fit, the treatment also provides a number of medical benefits.
Accordingly, your insurance may cover all or some of breast reduction cost if the procedure is performed to alleviate back, neck, or shoulder pain; skin irritation, sores, or rashes; and other ailments that impede daily functioning.
Many individuals in Washington DC choose to undergo plastic surgery to improve their appearance and boost their self-esteem.
And while most patients are extremely happy with their cosmetic enhancements, women who have breast reduction appreciate aesthetic as well as significant health benefits.
So, it’s not surprising that breast reduction surgery has an extremely high rate of patient satisfaction.
However, the procedure can also be quite pricey, and many women considering treatment are concerned about breast reduction cost.
Continue reading to learn all about breast reduction cost, including associated fees and whether insurance will cover some or all of the expense.
If you are interested in decreasing breast volume and size with surgery, you may be wondering: How much does breast reduction cost?
On average, breast reduction cost in the U.S. is $5,000. This amount only accounts for the surgeon’s fee, which can vary greatly depending on provider skill, credentials, experience, and reputation.
What Factors Can Affect Breast Reduction Cost?
In addition to your surgeon’s fee, breast reduction cost routinely includes facility fees, anesthesia fees, medications cost, surgical garment cost, traveling expenses (if the surgery is performed out-of-state), as well as pre-op labs and testing fees.
As such, it’s important to get a detailed estimate of your breast reduction cost so you aren’t surprised at the final price of the procedure.
While many women seek surgery to improve breast appearance, figure proportions, and how their clothes fit, the treatment also provides a number of medical benefits.
Accordingly, your insurance may cover all or some of breast reduction cost if the procedure is performed to alleviate back, neck, or shoulder pain; skin irritation, sores, or rashes; and other ailments that impede daily functioning.
| The cost of a breast reduction usually ranges from $5,000 to $7,000. This estimate includes an anesthesia fee of $1,000 to $1,500 and a facility fee of $500 to $2,000 as well as the surgeon’s fee, which averages $5,500, according to The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Reducing very large breasts that require extra work to remove tissue and reshape the nipple area can expect to pay more. For this reason, a doctor will need an in-office consultation to give an accurate cost estimate.Related articles: Breast Lift, Breast Reduction, Liposuction |
| What should be included: |
| The surgeon makes incisions in the breast, usually around the areola and underneath the breast, and then removes excess fat and tissue to reduce the breast to the desired size. Because the weight of large breasts often stretches the areola, the doctor usually also reduces its size, and then removes excess skin and lifts the breast to make it higher and firmer. To try to keep nipple sensation and the ability to breastfeed, the surgeon usually leaves the nipple attached during the surgery.The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery offers a description and diagrams of breast reduction techniques.Additional costs: |
| Post-surgical support bras, which usually cost about $100 each, as well as a hot/cold breast compress at about $25. Also, doctors will prescribe pain medication, which might be covered by insurance.Sometimes, additional surgery is required, either because of complications or because the patient is dissatisfied with the results. This can cost as much as, or more than, the initial procedure.Discounts: |
| Tip: Ask your surgeon if you can get free or discounted services by allowing your before and after photos to be used on websites or in advertisements.Shopping for breast reduction: |
| Tip: Because breast reduction is not always considered a cosmetic surgery, and can alleviate health problems such as back pain and posture problems, health insurance will often cover the cost. Check with your insurance company and your doctor, who may have to write a letter stating that the reduction is medically necessary.Tip: Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon with plenty of experience performing breast surgery. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons[1] provides a free referral service. When you meet with your surgeon, discuss the benefits as well as risks, which include infection, numbness or change in nipple sensation and even loss of circulation to the nipple that necessitates nipple removal. Smokers are at a higher risk for nipple loss, so they should quit at least two weeks before surgery. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the average cost of a breast reduction (a.k.a. reduction mammaplasty) in 2020 procedure was between $5,500-$6,000, but there are other expenses (more on these below!) to consider when booking a cosmetic surgical procedure.  Average Cost of Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty): $5,500 – $6,000 Price Range for Breast Reduction (Reduction Mammaplasty): $3,500 – $12,500 Candidates considering a breast reduction surgery will find it useful to understand the various factors that create the total cost of a plastic surgery. The following table offers an overview of various factors that will contribute to the final cost. FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN THE TOTAL COST OF A BREAST REDUCTION PROCEDURE COST FACTOR EXPLANATION Provider Training, experience, specialty Consultation Fee May or may not be applied towards procedure cost Anesthesiologist Fee Training, experience Location Facility fees vary by region Recovery Expenses Special equipment, follow ups, etc. The Specifics What is a breast reduction (a.k.a. reduction mammaplasty)? So, a quick refresher on what a breast reduction actually is. This plastic surgery is used to reduce the soft tissues of the female breast (the same procedure in men is called a gynecomastia surgery). A breast reduction can be used for aesthetic purposes or functional purposes for women experiencing chronic discomfort or pain secondary to overly large breasts. There are three surgical incision techniques for a breast reduction: inverted T, periareolar, or vertical. We’ll also mention here that oftentimes breast reduction surgery and breast augmentation may be combined with a breast lift. If your breast reduction or augmentation is going to be one component of a multi-step procedure, costs will be different than the numbers seen on this page. However, it is still useful to understand what goes into the price of a breast reduction as a standalone procedure. What affects the cost of a breast reduction? To continue our deep dive, let’s look more closely at the variables we introduced above. First, a quick PSA: the information here is an estimate and the most accurate cost analysis will always come via consultations with possible plastic surgeons. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, the following points can help you get a feel for the questions to ask and factors to consider during a plastic surgery consultation. Knowledge is power! Woo! Provider: A more experienced, board certified plastic surgeon or specialized provider usually has higher fees for their skills and so higher consultation fees. The consultation fee may be applied towards the final cost of the procedure. Anesthesiologist: Just like with the plastic surgeon, education, training, and experience will impact cost. General anesthesia requires more expertise and is more expensive than local anesthesia. Most local anesthetics can be administered without an anesthesiologist. Location: The 2020 ASPS Report shows procedure occurrences by region. The east and west coasts accounted for 51 percent of all breast reductions performed in 2019. The central portion of the country held the remaining amount. Recovery: Breast reduction recovery will vary by each candidate, but recovery generally includes prescriptions, compression garments, follow up appointments, and time away from work. What does the cost of a breast reduction include? When it comes to medicine and health insurance, it’s safe to say we all want to know what we are actually paying for. For starters, the hours the surgeon spends performing the breast reduction is usually what is reported as the ‘average cost’ or ‘surgeon’s fee.’ It’s not exact, but think of it as your surgeon’s hourly rate. Keep in mind your surgeon has business expenses like rent, staff payroll, professional liability insurance, and office and medical supplies in addition to their personal salary. Breast reduction costs rise as the other variables are added in. Additional medical personnel assisting in the procedure (anesthesiologist, nurses, and surgical assistants), tools and supplies used during your breast reduction (needles, bandages, surgical gowns, gloves, etc.), medications before, during, and after your breast reduction (sedatives, painkillers, antibiotics, etc.), and the fee for the hospital or facility’s procedure or operating room. And one more consideration is the personal expenses you will encounter during your breast reduction experience. These may include consultation fees with other plastic surgeons while you’re shopping around, travel costs, pre-surgical care, time off from work, and recovery supplies you elect to personally purchase. |