The average cost of breast reduction surgery is $8,225, but it ranges from just $2,800 to as much as $20,000 without insurance, according to 9,564 patient reviews on RealSelf.
Read on to find out:
Related: Everything You Need to Know About a Breast Reduction
Breast reduction (aka reduction mammaplasty) is covered by insurance and Medicaid if it’s deemed medically necessary, not just cosmetic surgery. This means that you’ll need to have documentation of ongoing medical issues caused by overly large breasts, such as back pain that significantly affects your quality of life and makes normal physical activities difficult.
Your policy should clearly outline criteria for coverage, but symptoms that typically support a claim for insurance or Medicaid coverage include:
You’ll also need medical documentation that those issues have resisted other treatment methods, which may include:
If you choose a plastic surgeon who performs a lot of breast reductions, their team should know the details of each insurance carrier’s plans and how to get your coverage approved.
Related: Is Your Breast Reduction “Medically Necessary”? Here’s How to Prove It to Your Insurance Company.
Even if your coverage is approved, keep in mind that your surgical procedure won’t be entirely free: you’ll probably still have a deductible and some type of copay. Your plastic surgeon’s patient coordinator can assess your insurance benefits and estimate your responsibility, but you can also contact your insurance company directly to confirm the details of your benefits.
Another factor to consider: having your insurance company cover the cost of breast reduction surgery gives them some say in how much breast tissue is removed and where the surgery is performed. You’ll also need to make sure your preferred plastic surgeon is an in-network provider who accepts insurance coverage.
Ask your plastic surgeon for a personalized, all-in cost quote for your breast reduction procedure, especially if you know you’ll be paying out of pocket.
This total cost should include:
Also ask if you’ll need to budget for prescription pain medications and any other recovery supplies, like a compression bra to reduce swelling.
Your insurance plan’s benefit structure is the biggest factor in how much you’ll pay out of pocket.
Other factors that affect the cost of breast reduction surgery include:
Breast reduction is considered to be relatively safe, but there are risks, from asymmetry and changes in nipple sensation to difficulty breastfeeding. The surgeon must carefully remove the excess skin and glandular tissue before reshaping the remaining tissue and raising the nipples to a perkier position.
You’ll have the best chance of having a safe surgery with your desired results if you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon—ideally one who specializes in breast surgery and frequently performs this procedure. They'll charge more than a surgeon with less training and experience, but basing your choice of surgeon on cost alone could end up costing more in the long run. A cheap breast reduction becomes very expensive if complications arise or you need revision surgery.
Surgeons operating in cities with higher rents typically have to charge more than those in rural or suburban areas with lower overhead costs. Generally speaking, you’ll find more competitive pricing in areas that are saturated with plastic surgeons, like Miami.
Here’s a sampling of what some plastic surgeons on RealSelf charge:
See average breast reduction surgery costs by U.S. state
If you’re paying out-of-pocket, your surgeon’s own private surgical facility will likely come with a lower facility fee than a hospital.
“Insurance-based procedures are performed in a hospital, generally,” according to Nashville plastic surgeon Dr. Amaka Nwubah, though she provides this caveat: “If a private OR is accredited with insurance, then it can be performed there.”
Breast reduction is an outpatient procedure, but it can take up to five hours to perform. It’s typically done with general anesthesia, so you’re fully unconscious during your entire procedure.
Anesthesia costs include the anesthesia provider’s hourly fee and the hospital or facility anesthesia fee, which covers the cost of supplies, medications, and additional staff.
A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) will come with a lower fee than a board-certified anesthesiologist (an MD). Plastic surgeons typically choose the type of anesthesia provider they feel most comfortable with.
Your breast size and level of sagginess (also known as ptosis) can affect how long your surgery will take and the type of procedure you need. For example:
You'll save on surgical and anesthesia fees by combining procedures (compared to the price of having them individually), but any additional cosmetic surgery won't be covered by health insurance, which significantly increases your total cost.
Breast reduction has a 97% Worth It Rating on RealSelf, meaning that the vast majority of the thousands of patients who wrote reviews think their results were worth what they paid.
Among those who say it was “Worth It,” many report that it alleviated their aches and pains, made exercising easier and more rewarding, and helped them feel more confident and comfortable in their clothes. “I can actually fit in cute bras and bathing suits,”one reviewer noted. Happy patients also reported smooth recoveries and minimal scarring.
Among the small percentage who say it was “Not Worth It,” many were unhappy with their new breast shape, nipple placement, or asymmetry. Some even had complications, like infection, poor wound healing, and nipple necrosis (tissue death).
Thick, abnormal scars are also a common complaint. Scars fade over the first year post-surgery. Your surgeon can also recommend the best scar treatments for your situation.
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.
The best way to get a personalized cost estimate is to have a consultation with at least one board-certified plastic surgeon, though it's always smart to consult with more than one, to compare costs.
They can also verify that you're a good candidate and explain how to approach the medical documentation for your insurance provider, to help you get coverage for the procedure.
Browse average breast reduction costs and ranges by state, according to the 804 most recent RealSelf reviews as of March 2023. (Note: States not included don't have enough recent data to display.)
State | Average Cost |
---|---|
Alabama | $6,612 |
Arizona | $9,224 |
Arkansas | $6,531 |
California | $10,969 |
Colorado | $9,767 |
Connecticut | $9,500 |
Delaware | $6,000 |
Florida | $7,350 |
Georgia | $8,353 |
Idaho | $8,718 |
Illinois | $10,222 |
Indiana | $8,000 |
Iowa | $8,000 |
Kentucky | $7,960 |
Louisiana | $8,278 |
Maryland | $8,780 |
Massachusetts | $9,859 |
Michigan | $8,736 |
Minnesota | $8,381 |
Mississippi | $6,640 |
Missouri | $9,400 |
Nebraska | $6,508 |
Nevada | $8,500 |
New Jersey | $10,892 |
New Mexico | $8,000 |
New York | $10,993 |
North Carolina | $8,724 |
Ohio | $8,693 |
Oklahoma | $6,525 |
Oregon | $10,000 |
Pennsylvania | $7,754 |
South Carolina | $7,665 |
Tennessee | $8,118 |
Texas | $9,376 |
Utah | $6,451 |
Virginia | $10,110 |
Washington State | $10,639 |
Wisconsin | $9,153 |
Browse average breast reduction costs and ranges by country, according to RealSelf member reviews from the past 4 years (as of March 1, 2022).
Country | Average Cost | Cost Range |
---|---|---|
Australia | $8,524 | $5,000 - $15,000 |
Canada | $6,823 | $999 - $13,000 |
Great Britain | $8,070 | $6,455 - $9,886 |
Mexico | $5,849 | $4,000 - $11,000 |
Turkey | $3,266 | $2,499 - $5,000 |
United States | $7,250 | $1,600.00 - $16,000 |
Metro Area | Average Cost |
Atlanta, GA | $8,806 |
Austin, TX | $8,750 |
Boston, MA | $11,633 |
Charlotte, NC | $8,850 |
Chicago, IL | $9,250 |
Columbus, OH | $9,725 |
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX | $9,114 |
Detroit, MI | $8,167 |
Houston, TX | $12,193 |
Las Vegas, NV | $12,975 |
Long Island East of JFK | $13,250 |
Los Angeles, CA | $15,490 |
Miami, FL | $7,536 |
Milwaukee, WI | $8,907 |
Minneapolis-St Paul, MN | $10,605 |
New York City | $14,676 |
North New Jersey | $9,983 |
Orange County, CA | $11,918 |
Orlando, FL | $9,677 |
Phoenix, AZ | $10,126 |
Portland, OR | $9,000 |
Richmond, VA | $7,150 |
San Antonio, TX | $10,000 |
San Diego, CA | $8,667 |
Seattle-Tacoma, WA | $8,900 |
Tampa, FL | $9,645 |
Washington, DC | $10,283 |
West Palm Beach, FL | $8,300 |