Breast Implants Cost to Increase Cup Size?

Hi China,
Many factors affect the cost of breast augmentation although the cup size or implant size is not generally one of them. Assuming there are not complicating factors and a need for added surgery, most plastic surgeons will quote a “ballpark” figure over the phone.
I would caution you that cost can be considered when selecting a surgeon but it should not be the primary factor or even high on the list. Although breast augmentation is a very common procedure, it is still surgery and the quality of the surgeon should supersede costs incurred.
I hope this response is helpful. Good luck and best wishes as you undergo your procedure.

Thank you for your question. I would visit with a number of plastic
surgeons in your area. I would narrow down to a few surgeons that you
feel very comfortable with and discuss price/payment options. There are
several costs that go into breast augmentation including the facility
fees, anesthesia fees, surgeon's fee and the cost of the implants. Our
charges begin in the $6-7000 range and increase depending on the type of
implant and whether a breast lifting procedure is also needed.

Pricing really depends on the surgeon and city in which your surgeon is located. In Toronto, this can range from $7000 to $9500. Note that the cost of your implant is determined by type (saline or silicone, with silicone being more expensive) and brand (Mentor or Allergan) but size does not really affect the cost. Other factors that affect price include the anesthesia, surgical centre fees and your surgeon's fees.

Most patients want to have the fullest breast profile that still looks natural on their body. The limiting factor for implant size is almost always the appearance of the upper pole. At some implant volume, the upper pole of the breast begins to look excessively rounded or convex, and that is a look that says "breast implants live here". There really is no way to determine preoperatively what the fullest implant volume is for each patient that does not produce that rounded upper pole look. Surgeons who are attentive to detail use an O.R. table which allows them to sit a patient upright several times over the course of the procedure, so that an implant size and profile can be selected that is ideal for each individual patient.The type of implant is also important, as the implant style that will work best to produce a natural feeling result depends on a patient's body style and preoperative breast size. Silicone gel implants, without question, have a much more natural feel than saline implants in slender patients, especially those with an A-cup or small B-cup preop breast profile. On the other hand, fuller-figured patients with a full B-cup breast size that are seeking a full C- or a D-cup breast enhancement will almost always get a breast augmentation result that feels completely natural if saline implants are used. The more natural tissue there is to conceal a pair of implants, the harder it is to detect saline implants by feel.Regardless of implant type, there is really only one ideal position for breast implants with respect to the pectoralis major muscle. Subpectoral placement provides additional coverage of the implants in the cleavage area, which results in both a more natural appearance and more natural feel. This is especially true for slender, small-breasted patients, as the pec major helps to flatten the upper pole of the implant and prevents the upper edge of the implant from being visually obvious. That excessively round appearance in the upper pole is to be avoided at all costs. The price of breast augmentation surgery will vary from surgeon to surgeon. The price of the implants is one factor. The training, experience and expertise of the doctor is a significant factor. The facility where surgery is performed and the OR staff is another factor.  Also, a busy plastic surgeon with a full OR schedule will not be providing discounted rates, like a newer, inexperienced plastic surgeon, or a surgeon who cannot demonstrate through many many before and after photographs their ability to produce beautiful and natural looking results with breast augmentation surgery. I view breast augmentation as more than a breast enhancement surgery. It is a total body contouring surgery, and the breast profile that one creates with implants should match a patient's overall figure. It should appear completely plausible that the breasts have not been surgically enhanced. I want for my patient's appearance to make others think "Wow - what a great figure", not "I wonder who her plastic surgeon is".Over and over I hear patients remark, after reviewing some of our `before and after' photos, that they had no idea that a breast augmentation could look so natural. It can, and in my opinion it should. Having practiced plastic surgery in the 'breast augmentation capital of the world' (Los Angeles), and having performed hundreds of breast augmentations in North Carolina for patients who are seeking a breast enhancement that looks like it actually is a natural part of their bodyWhen researching the training of a plastic surgeon, check to see if they attended a top medical school and graduated among the top in tier class. Where did they receive their formal surgical training? A prestigious university medical center? How many years of training did your plastic surgeon receive. The minimum for board-certification, but some surgeons elect to undergo as many as ten years of formal surgical training.  Of course select a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and perhaps a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.Viewing many photographs can also help you to determine whether or not a plastic surgeon shares your aesthetic sensibilityYou should be able to speak to previous patients and discus their experience with them.It is also critical to ask about the surgery center where your procedure will be performed. You need to know about accreditation, sterile processing procedures and who will be with you in the surgery. In my office I work with a board certified anesthesiologist, certified surgical technicians and nurses who are in the room during surgery. We also have preoperative nurses and a nurse for post anesthetisia care. Of course we also have a certified sterile processing technician. Remember the results from this procedure are permanent. Take your time researching your plastic surgeon and ask any questions you have on your mind.  

Depending on the surgeon of your choice, implants can cost between $6,000 and $8500 dollars.  Silicone are about $1200 more than silicone.  Make sure you choose a board certified plastic surgeon. 

During the recession or depression, breast augmentation cost have greatly been reduced, especially in Los Angeles, given the over saturation of qualified board certified plastic surgeons.
You need to find a board certified plastic surgeon and review the before and after photos. Then you should set up a consultation with the surgeon and see if it is a fit for you. General costs right now in southern california is anywhere from $4000 to $7000 for saline.
Good luck.

Fees will vary considerably depending on the area and the number of board certified plastic surgeons. Prices in South Florida tend to be lower than expensive cities such as New York or Los Angeles or with areas with few board certified plastic surgeons. We charge $3500 + MD Anesthesia related expenses for silicone implants. The anesthesia fee is generally $1000 to $1500. There is generally a lower anesthesia cost for implant exchange if the implants are intact due to less surgical time. Since you can get quality work at lower prices, patients tend to come to South Florida from out of state or out of country. To ensure quality work at most cost effective prices, consult with board certified plastic surgeons that own their own nationally accredited facilities. These surgeons must maintain the highest standards to keep accreditation. Moreover, the surgeons are motivated to ensure quality and properly trained staff (to minimize time and frustration in surgery), private and comfortable facilities (to ensure continued referrals), and less waste (to ensure that they can remain competitive financially with other centers).

I encourage you to make sure your surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and that that person is someone you would trust after meeting with them at your consultation. Cheapest may not be best and you may find yourself paying more money later to fix complications that have arisen from having surgery with someone who is not properly trained in plastic surgery.

In Columbus, Ohio, for example, our total costs for breast augmentation are currently $4500-5100 for saline implants and $5000-5900 for silicone implants.

The cost of breast augmentation varies from region to region but be careful to get the total cost when you are comparing. The total cost includes the surgeon's fee, the cost of the implants , the facility fees and the cost of anesthesia.
1. Make sure that your surgeon is a board certified plastic surgeon and well trained in breast augmentation.
2. Check out the before and after photos.
3. Silicone implants cost more than saline.
4. Hospital facilities cost more than outpatient surgical suites.
5. Make sure the facility is licensed or AAAASF certified and ask about the anesthesia provider.
Sounds complicated but do your due diligence. I have attached a video that may help in your quest.

The cost of a breast augmentation will vary widely based on
- WHO is operating on you (A Gynecologist / Family practice doctor / former ER doctor Yes - it is legal...) OR a Board certified Plastic surgeon (check at www.PlasticSurgery.org)
- WHERE will your surgery be done (that doctor's back room or in a AAAASF or Medicare certified facility which has passed a state inspection)
- What kind of ANESTHESIA is given you and by whom ( anesthesia "supervised" by a nurse without monitoring vs. general or IV sedation supervised by a doctor anesthesiologist)
- What kind of implants are used and are they under a life time warranty (Both Allergan and Mentor provide lifetime warranties to their implants. Overseas imported implants do not have such support).
The cost of your breast augmentation cannot be cheaper than the cost of implants, the supplies used to put them in and the cost of anesthesia and support staff in the operating room - to say nothing about the surgeon's costs.
There are reasons why surgery may be discounted these days because of our economy. BUT - If the cost of your breast augmentation is extremely cheap - look harder. You are about to be screwed but have not yet figured out just how yet.