How Much Does a Breast Reduction Cost?

The average cost of breast reduction surgery is $9,886, according to 425 patient reviews. Prices can range from just $2,600 with insurance coverage to as much as $21,000 without insurance.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) says the average cost of breast reduction is $6,771, but they note that’s just the surgeon’s fee: it doesn’t include fees for anesthesia, the surgical facility, and other related expenses, which can add thousands to your total bill.

Breast reduction can also be performed on men with gynecomastia (excess breast tissue).

Read on to find out:

• when breast reduction is covered by insurance
• what’s included in your total cost
• why some procedures cost much more than others
• whether it’s really worth the money, for most patients
• the average cost of reduction mammoplasty by U.S. state

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Breast Reduction Surgery

Does insurance cover breast reduction surgery?

Breast reduction is covered by insurance and Medicaid when:

• it’s part of breast reconstruction after a lumpectomy or mastectomy, or
• it’s deemed medically necessary, not just cosmetic surgery.

Most insurance providers require patients to provide documentation that overly large breasts are causing ongoing medical issues that negatively affect quality of life, cause physical discomfort (such as back pain), and/or make normal physical activities difficult.

Your insurance policy will clearly outline criteria for coverage, but symptoms that typically support a claim for insurance or Medicaid coverage include:

• back, neck, and/or shoulder pain
• chronic rashes or skin irritation under your breasts
• grooves in your shoulders from your bra straps 

You’ll also need documentation from a healthcare provider that those issues have not resolved despite medical treatments, such as:

• chiropractic care
• dermatologic treatment 
• pain medication
• prescriptions for support bras

Surgeons who perform a lot of breast reduction procedures have patient care coordinators who are well-versed in which insurance carrier’s plans cover breast reduction surgery. They can work with you and your carrier to help get your coverage approved. 

Related: Is Your Breast Reduction “Medically Necessary”? Here’s How to Prove It to Your Insurance Company.

Even with coverage, your surgical procedure won’t be free: most patients still have a deductible and copay. Ask your provider’s patient coordinator to assess your insurance benefits and estimate your responsibility, or contact your insurance company directly.

Also keep in mind that there are a few drawbacks to insurance coverage for breast reduction:

• You’ll have to choose an in-network provider who accepts insurance coverage.
• Your insurer may require that the procedure is performed in a hospital (not a private surgical center).
• They will also have some say in how much breast tissue is removed—which many surgeons don’t love, since it can constrain their ability to create the best cosmetic result.

The bottom line: Insurance can lower your bill by thousands of dollars. But if you can afford to pay out-of-pocket or are willing to finance your procedure, bypassing insurance will give you the most options for who performs your surgery, where it’s done, and the technique that’s used, which could affect the quality of your final results.

What your price quote should include

During your consultation, ask your surgeon for a personalized, all-in price quote for your breast reduction procedure—ideally in writing, broken down by line item.

This should include:

• The consultation fee (often applied toward the cost of your procedure)
• Pre-op medical tests
• The surgeon’s fee
• Anesthesia fees
• Facility fees for the hospital operating room or surgery center
• Surgical supply fees
• Follow-up appointments

Also ask if you’ll need to budget for prescription pain medications and any other recovery supplies, like a compression garment or surgical bra.

Why breast reduction surgery costs vary

Whether your procedure will be covered by insurance—and how much it covers—is the biggest factor in how much you’ll pay out of pocket.

Other major factors that affect the cost of breast reduction surgery include:

1. Your surgeon’s credentials and level of experience

Breast reduction is widely considered to be safe, but there are risks—from asymmetry and changes in nipple sensation to difficulty breastfeeding. The surgeon must carefully remove 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 procedure that leads to your desired results if you choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon—ideally one who specializes in breast surgery.

They will charge more than a surgeon with less training and experience, but basing your choice on price alone could end up costing you much more in the long run. A cheap breast reduction becomes very expensive if complications arise, or you end up needing revision surgery.

2. Their practice location

Surgeons operating in cities with higher rents typically have to charge more than those in areas with lower overhead. Major metros on the coast tend to have the highest prices, except in places like Miami, where thousands of surgeons compete for patients with price-driven marketing offers.

Here’s a sampling of what some providers around the U.S. charge: 

• “The average cost of breast reduction in the area that I practice in is $7,500-$8,500. Our price quotes are inclusive of surgeon's fees, anesthesiologist, surgery center, and all pre- and post-operative appointments,” says Dr. Warren Schutte, a plastic surgeon in Loveland, Colorado.
• “At Plastic Surgery Institute of Southeast Texas, the cost for a breast reduction starts at $8,400. This cost includes the surgeon, facility, anesthesia (MD), supplies, and all post-op visits,” says Dr. Leo Lapuerta, a plastic surgeon in Pearland, Texas, a suburb of Houston.
• “Our breast reduction also includes breast lift and liposuction of the sides. In our fully accredited plastic surgery center, the cost of breast reduction ranges from $6,500 to $8,500,” says Dr. Stanley Okoro, a plastic surgeon in more affordable Marietta, Georgia.

See breast reduction surgery costs by U.S. state

3. Where your surgery is performed

If you’re paying out-of-pocket, your surgeon’s own private surgical facility will come with a lower facility fee than a hospital operating room. 

“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.”

4. The complexity of your procedure

Your breast size, level of sagginess (ptosis), and desired result can affect how long your surgery will take and the type of procedure you need. For example: 

• If you have an F cup you want reduced to a C along with a breast lift, your surgeon will need to remove more excess breast tissue and spend more time reshaping what remains. Your final bill will be higher than a patient who’s just going from a D to a B cup.
• If you're also concerned about the size of your areolas, you can have nipple and areola reduction surgery, which will also increase your total price.
• It may seem counterintuitive, but some patients combine a reduction with breast augmentation via small breast implants or fat grafting to create cleavage.
• Some women also opt to get liposuction, a tummy tuck, or a full mommy makeover in the same operation. 

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 and significantly increases your total price tag.

5. Who administers your anesthesia

This outpatient procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia, so the patient is fully unconscious during your entire procedure. 

Anesthesia costs include the anesthesia provider’s hourly fee and the facility’s 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). Most surgeons choose the type of anesthesia provider they feel most comfortable with.

Is breast reduction surgery worth the money?

Breast reduction has a 97% Worth It Rating on RealSelf, so the vast majority of the thousands of patients who reviewed their procedure think their results are 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 helped them feel less self-conscious and more confident in their clothes. “I can actually fit in cute bras and bathing suits,” one reviewer noted.

Among the small percentage who say it was “Not Worth It,” many are 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 scars are also a common complaint. Scars fade on their own over the first year post-surgery, but it’s also worth discussing the best scar treatments for your situation with your provider.

Can you finance breast reduction surgery?

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

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

How can I find qualified breast reduction surgeons near me?

You can find board-certified plastic surgeons who specialize in breast reduction on RealSelf.

Having a consultation with more than one qualified provider can be a helpful way to compare recommended treatment plans and price quotes. Many even offer free consultations.

Breast reduction costs in U.S. states

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.)

Breast reduction costs in major U.S. metros