How Much Does Breast Reduction Surgery Cost?

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 8,671 patient reviews on RealSelf.

Read on to find out:

• how to get your breast reduction cost covered by insurance
• why some procedures cost so much more than others
• whether real breast reduction patients think it was worth the money
• the average cost of breast reduction by U.S. state

Related: Everything You Need to Know About a Breast Reduction

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How can you get breast reduction covered by insurance?

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:

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

You’ll also need medical documentation that those issues have resisted other treatment methods, which may include: 

• chiropractic care
• dermatologic treatment 
• home remedies, like pain medication and support bras

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.

What’s included in your breast reduction cost?

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:

• The consultation fee (which is often applied to the cost of your procedure)
• Pre-op medical tests
• The surgeon’s fee
• Anesthesia fees
• Facility fees for the hospital 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 bra to reduce swelling.

What affects the cost of breast reduction surgery?

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:

1. Who performs your surgery

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.

2. Their practice location

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: 

• “In my area (Gainesville, Florida), you can expect to pay $5,500-$6,000 for this surgery,” says plastic surgeon Dr. John W. Tyrone
• “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.
• “In my practice, I charge $6,500 for a breast reduction and that includes my fee, and all hospital, OR, anesthesia, and post-op fees,” says John W. Gillespie III, a plastic surgeon in Wilmington, Delaware.
• “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 Marietta, Georgia.
• “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.

See average 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 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.”

4. Who administers your anesthesia

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.

5. The complexity of your procedure

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: 

• 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. That’s more expensive than if you’re 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 at the same time. 
• It may seem counterintuitive, but procedures like small breast implants or fat grafting may be needed to create cleavage, especially if you don’t have firm breast tissue.
• Some women also opt to get liposuction or a full mommy makeover. 

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.

Is breast reduction surgery worth the money?

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.

Can you finance breast reduction 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.

Where can I find breast reduction surgeons near me?

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.

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 by country

Browse average breast reduction costs and ranges by country, according to RealSelf member reviews from the past 4 years (as of March 1, 2022).

Breast reduction costs in major U.S. metros