How Much Does a Breast Implant Revision Cost?

A breast implant revision costs $8,550 on average, but your price could range from $4,200 to $18,435, according to 4,088 patient reviews on RealSelf.

The lower end of this price range reflects out-of-pocket expenses for patients who:

• had a portion of their surgery cost covered by insurance or a warranty from their implant manufacturer, or
• had their revision performed by the same surgeon as their initial procedure, who waived all or part of their surgeon’s fee

Read on to find out what to look for in a price quote, when insurance might cover it, why costs vary so much, and whether actual patients say their results were worth the investment.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Breast Implant Revision

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What does the cost include?

During your consultation with a prospective surgeon, ask them for an all-in, personalized cost quote, including:

• The surgeon’s fee (unless it’s being waived) 
• Anesthesia fees
• Facility fees for the hospital or surgery center
• Lab work and medical tests
• Replacement implants (if needed)
• Any additional materials (like mesh) or surgical supplies
• Follow-up appointments
• Prescription medications and other supplies you’ll need post-op (like a surgical bra)

If those costs aren’t included in your doctor’s estimate, you’ll still need to factor them into your total budget.

Why do breast revision surgery costs vary so widely?

These are the biggest factors that can impact the cost of breast implant revision surgery.

1. Your surgeon’s credentials, level of experience, and reputation

At a bare minimum, it’s important to see a board-certified plastic surgeon for your breast augmentation revision, to ensure your provider has the education and training to safely perform this procedure. Board certification also guarantees that your surgeon is keeping up with the latest best-practice techniques, guidelines, and protocols. 

Certain plastic surgeons specialize in breast surgery or are known for being especially adept at revising breast aug complications. These doctors will be able to charge more for their time and unique expertise.

Assuming you have a good relationship with the surgeon who performed your primary breast procedure, it makes sense to at least consult with them on your revision. “Your best bet, regardless of cost, is to go back to your original surgeon,” says Dr. Orna Fisher, a plastic surgeon in San Mateo, California. She explains that not only will they know exactly what they did, but they’ll have the best understanding of your anatomy and how it’s healing from your specific procedure.

Revisiting your original doctor is a smart move from a cost point of view, too. “For many surgeons, it is customary to perform revisions for [only] the cost of anesthesia and facility fees [and no surgeon’s fee],” says Dr. Jason Hess, a plastic surgeon in San Diego. 

This is particularly true if you’re seeking a revision due to a complication—like capsular contracture, bottoming out, or double bubble—versus simply wanting to go a size up or down with your implants. 

Dr. York Jay Yates, a plastic surgeon in Layton, Utah, explains that while each plastic surgeon has their own revision policies, “Many will charge little to nothing for revisions related to complications. Most will charge you something for implant size exchange, but many will give you a patient-loyalty discount. If you’re only changing the size of your implants, this can be a very simple, straightforward operation, done at a lesser cost than your initial surgery.” 

Some breast implant manufacturers—including Mentor and Sientra—provide warranties in the case of implant complications. These may cover the cost of replacement implants and provide some financial assistance for your revision procedure.

Related: Getting Breast Augmentation? Read This Guide to Implant Warranties First

However, surgeons are less likely to waive their fee for revisions undertaken to address aesthetic breast changes related to childbirth, breastfeeding, weight loss, or aging. Oftent, these circumstances can create new skin laxity that requires a breast lift along with breast implant revision.

2. Where your surgery is performed 

Geography holds considerable sway over pricing, with surgeons in big cities charging more to cover higher overhead costs. You may even get very different price quotes from surgeons in different neighborhoods, so if you’re looking for ways to save, it may be worth your time (and another consultation fee) to get at least two personalized estimates. Surgeons who share a practice, splitting rent and other costs with their colleagues, may offer more competitive pricing.

Another factor is the type of surgical facility where your operation takes place. Your surgeon’s private surgery center will likely charge a lower facility fee than a hospital operating room. 

3. The type of anesthesia you have and who administers it

Depending on the extent of your procedure, it may require general anesthesia or local with IV sedation. The total price of your anesthesia typically includes the anesthesia provider fee and the hospital or facility anesthesia fee, which covers the cost of supplies, medications, and additional staff.

Either of these options will need to be administered by a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or an anesthesiologist (an MD). A board-certified anesthesiologist has more advanced training, so they will charge more, but your surgeon might prefer working with them to increase your safety.

More minor procedures—like straightforward implant exchanges—can safely be done under local anesthesia with an oral sedative. This is the most cost effective option, since it can be administered by your surgeon or a member of their staff.

4. The complexity of your procedure 

Again, breast implant revision can mean anything from a simple implant swap to a complete overhaul of the breast pocket with the creation of an “internal bra.” Your individual needs will influence the complexity of the operation.

“Occasionally, only the inframammary fold requires repair,” says Dr. Hess. “Sometimes a capsulectomy is required and a dermal matrix may need to be implanted, to support the weight of the implant and prevent further bottoming out. Essentially, the more work and the more OR time, the higher the fee.”

Again, if your surgeon uses additional materials like Strattice or GalaFLEX to reinforce the tissues and minimize future complications, these will add to your overall cost (usually by $1,000 or more).

If your breast implant revision is coupled with a separate procedure—a breast lift to address skin laxity, for instance, or fat grafting to help conceal the implant—your total cost could jump up significantly. 

5. The type of implants you get 

Oftentimes in breast aug revisions, the same implant can be used (assuming it’s intact and you’re happy with your breast size), potentially saving you thousands of dollars. 

If your procedure requires an implant exchange, the breast implant price will depend on the type of device you choose. “Usually, saline implants cost about $1,000 for a pair, memory gel [about] $2,000, and highly cohesive [about] $3,000,” says Dr. Pablo Prichard, a plastic surgeon in Scottsdale, Arizona. “The size of the implant does not matter, only the type of implant.”

When will insurance pay for breast implant revision surgery?

If you originally had breast implants placed for cosmetic reasons, your insurance company is unlikely to pay for a revision. 

If your primary procedure was deemed medically necessary or was a breast reconstruction related to cancer, however, revisions are generally covered, especially if the repeat surgery is being performed to address a complication, like an implant rupture. In such cases, “breast reconstruction for the affected breast as well as your other breast for symmetry is a medically necessary procedure and, by law, insurance companies must provide coverage for this,” says Great Neck, New York, plastic surgeon Dr. Kevin Tehrani in a RealSelf Q&A.

Be sure to review your insurance policy for stipulations and exceptions to avoid costly surprises.

Can you finance breast implant revision surgery?

Yes, most practices offer payment plans or accept financing options.

The CareCredit credit card is widely accepted by providers across the U.S., for both plastic surgery and nonsurgical procedures.

Breast implant revision costs in U.S. states

Browse average breast implant revision costs in U.S. states, according to recent RealSelf member reviews (as of July 2023). States not currently listed did not have enough data to include.

Breast implant revision costs in major U.S. metros

Average costs according to patient-reported data. As of July 2023, the cheapest metro area in the U.S. to get breast implant revision surgery is Las Vegas, while people tend to pay the most in Los Angeles. Cities not listed did not have enough data to include.