Breast Reduction vs Lift Cost
Breast reduction and lift are two of the most popular plastic surgery procedures in the United States.
If you’re considering either one, you might be wondering how much the cost of breast reduction vs lift surgery will be. In this article, we’ll look at the differences between these two procedures, and explain why they have such different costs.
Breast augmentation frequently goes hand in hand with breast lift surgery to increase volume, symmetry, and projection. Breast reduction surgery is often medically necessary and, while the end results will greatly improve contours, the procedure is uniquely designed for medical improvement.
Breast Reduction vs Lift Cost
What Does a Breast Lift Cost?
Before deciding to get a breast lift, you probably want to know how much it costs. The price of a breast lift varies from clinic to clinic and can depend on the type of lift, but there are plenty of financing options to suit people’s different needs.
Standard Types of Breast Lift
There are generally five popular types of lifts that most women opt for. Each one suits a particular breast shape. These five types are:
- Crescent lift – During this procedure, a plastic surgeon makes a crescent-shaped incision across the top edge of the areola. The aim of the surgery is to improve the position of the nipple relative to the breast.
- Peri-areolar (donut) lift – When carrying out a donut breast lift, a plastic surgeon makes a circular incision around the areola. This type of breast lift surgery is ideal for women who have drooping or sagging breasts that are small or medium in size.
- Vertical (lollipop) lift – This form of breast lift surgery involves two incisions: a circular one around the areola and a vertical one running from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease. This procedure suits women who want reshaping while also correcting sag.
- Anchor lift – A plastic surgeon makes three incisions: a circular one around the areola, a vertical incision from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease, and a horizontal incision running along the breast crease. This breast lift surgery is best suited to women with significant sagging of the breasts.
- Bellesoma lift – When performing the Bellesoma method, a plastic surgeon makes only one incision: around the areola and in the breast crease. There are no vertical scars, and other scarring is minimal, as the scars naturally blend in with the skin and fade over time.
Breast Lift Cost
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of these breast lifts in 2018 was $4,816. This cost does not include facility fees, breast implant costs, or anesthesia fees and varies depending on a few factors, including:
- The surgeon performing your procedure (based on their experience)
- The type of breast lift surgery you choose
- Where the clinic is located
- Whether or not you choose to have a breast implant placed
This average breast lift cost does not include related expenses, such as:
- Anesthesia
- Medical tests
- Surgical facility costs
- Medication
- Post-surgery garments
- Cost of implants
The Cost of the Bellesoma Method
Besides minimal scarring, the Bellesoma method is unique because it’s highly customizable and can achieve longer lasting results than traditional breast lift techniques. Before surgery, your plastic surgeon uses proprietary, specially designed 3D-imaging software to create a model of your ideal breasts. This blueprint is used to create new breast mounds, which are placed higher up on the chest wall. These newly created breast mounds get secured to your chest muscle. The Bellesoma breast lift uses your own breast tissue to restore fullness, roundness, and perkiness to your breasts. No implants or fat transfers are required.
The Bellesoma method is a more advanced type of breast lift surgery. Since it involves more planning and state-of-the-art technology, its price is 25% to 50% higher than traditional breast lift surgeries.
The Cost of a Lift + Breast Augmentation
A breast lift surgery with augmentation helps women who are dissatisfied with the size, as well as the droop of their breasts. Augmentation adds volume to help you achieve both fuller and perkier breasts. A plastic surgeon can perform a breast augmentation in the following ways:
- Artificial implants – Your plastic surgeon places an artificial implant (saline, silicone gel, or gummy bear) either between the breast and chest muscle or behind the chest muscle.
- Fat transfer – During this breast augmentation procedure, a plastic surgeon takes fat from one part of your body (like your thighs, abdomen, buttocks, or waist) and transfers it to your breasts.
Since breast augmentation with a lift involves a combination of procedures, the cost is higher than a breast lift alone. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons notes that the average cost of breast augmentation with lift is $6,225.
Again, this fee doesn’t include the other necessary expenses related to surgery (surgery center fees, anesthesia, cost of implants). Also, the cost may vary depending on whether implants or fat transfer is used. If you opt for implants, prices can change depending on the type of breast implants involved.
The Cost of a Lift + Breast Reduction
A breast reduction with lift is ideal if you experience soreness in your back, neck, or shoulders due to large breasts. It can reduce the strain on your body while also improving your breasts’ shape and perkiness. The average cost of this type of breast lift surgery is $5,631.
How to Pay for Your Breast Lift
There are many different ways to pay for your breast lift procedure. At Ver Halen Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery, we accept credit cards that cover the cost. We work closely with Comenity® Capital Bank (Alphaeon Credit®) and Synchrony Bank (CareCredit®).
Or you could use a specialized and easy-to-use loan company, such as Enhance Patient Finance or United Medical Credit.
Other financing options include:
- Cash
- Credit card
- Cashier’s check
Breast Reduction Surgery Cost
How much does breast reduction cost?
The average cost of breast reduction (aesthetic patients only) is $5,913, according to 2020 statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. This average cost is only part of the total price – it does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses. Please consult with your plastic surgeon’s office to determine your final fee.
A surgeon’s fee for breast reduction will be based on his or her experience, the type of procedure used and the geographic office location.
Your surgeon may offer patient financing plans, so be sure to ask.
Breast reduction costs may include:
- Anesthesia fees
- Hospital or surgical facility costs
- Medical tests
- Post-surgery garments
- Prescriptions for medication
- Surgeon’s fee
When choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon for breast reduction, remember that the surgeon’s experience and your comfort with him or her are just as important as the final breast reduction costs.
How Much Is a Breast Reduction with Insurance
Is breast reduction surgery covered by health insurance?
Many health insurance plans cover breast reduction surgery. Your plastic surgeon may need to obtain authorization from your insurer for the surgery. This may require a letter and the submission of photographs. Once authorization is obtained, you will be able to schedule your surgery.
You will be responsible for any copays or deductibles required by your insurer. If your health plan does not cover breast reduction, you may decide to pay for the surgery yourself.
Breast Reduction and Lift Cost
A significant factor in the majority of life-altering breast surgery is the cost. Insurance companies will cover breast reconstruction procedures carried out after a mastectomy for cancer patients, but the vast majority of other breast operations are not.
However, you always have the option of attempting to have your health insurance pay for the breast reduction procedure.
Surgery that is performed only for cosmetic reasons is not deemed to be medically required for insurance purposes. According to estimates, the typical out-of-pocket cost for a breast reduction, which always involves a second treatment known as a breast lift, is around $6,000.
The value presented here is not the actual cost of the operation; rather, it is the base rate. A number of factors, such as the following, affect the cost of a successful breast reduction procedure:
Certification from the board. Because of their years of expertise and board certification, the breast reduction doctors at Rowe Plastic Surgery may charge a higher consulting fee than other surgeons in the surrounding area. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which is the organization responsible for the certification, will provide you with the assurance that you need. The process of obtaining certification is not simple, and it needs to be updated every few years.
Expertise and work experience. There are a number of factors that contribute to the success of your treatment, including the abilities of your surgeon and the years of experience they have.
Entities that are affiliated. Check that your surgeon is affiliated with local hospitals and professional organizations in order to ensure that they are qualified. If the physician has been honored with accolades, such as being named a “Top Doctor in the New York Metro Area,” this is another positive indication.
Skills and abilities. It is important to verify the surgeon’s credentials to ensure that they have received their education from a respectable medical institution. Inquire about the location of residencies and advanced training programs.
Referrals are made.
Before-and-after photographs of former patients are something that any professional plastic surgeon worth his salt possesses. It is even possible to inquire about the experience of a previous patient and chat to her about it.