Why are implants for breasts so expensive?

We as surgeons have no control over the cost of medical devices/supplies/equipment.  Certainly, as a business, the manufacturer has put in cost for the manufacturing of the product as well as operative cost, advertising, research, and work for the continual improvement in the safety and efficacy of the device.  The cost put forth has developed the current excellent product that we have today from years of progress.

Thank you for your question.   You are correct in that the implants themselves often cost as much as or more than the actual surgeon's fee.   Some is supply and demand, but much of it is because there are only 2 companies that provide FDA approved implants in the USA.   These companies have spend billions on research and development and therefore the cost is passed along to the consumer.  Though Sientra may return to the market, I doubt there will be many more competitors entering the market with the governmental regulations.  

I appreciate
your question.

Cost varies
by geographic location, surgeon expertise, OR time, anesthesia, length of
procedure etc. I would recommend that you go to The American Society of
Plastic Surgery website and look for a list of board certified plastic surgeons
in your area. You can call their offices in advance and ask for quotes
prior to scheduling consultations.

The best way
to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a
board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative
plastic surgery.

Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board
Certified Plastic Surgeon

Director-Beverly
Hills Breast and Body Institute

#RealSelf100Surgeon

Costs of a #BreastAugmentation with #silicone implants depend on several factors. Such include the geographic location, the skill and experience of the surgeon, and operating room and anesthesia fees.Different implants may have different costs. Approximate costs can be found here on the Real Self website, Surgery.org, or PlasticSurgery.org.

The cost of implants IS affected by supply and demand as well as by regulation and litigation. Many years ago we had over 16 companies producing either gel and or implants and after the silicone debacle of 1992 the number was reduced to a mere 2. These two companies were made to go through prodigious government mazes to prove safety and efficacy and continue to spend many millions on RD. (In other words, the implants from 10 years ago are not the implants we use today).As most veteran Plastic surgeons would tell you, we have ALL seen other cheaper implants come on the US market and they leave 5-10 years later leaving thousands of women stranded with their implant. Look up PIP.The two companies remaining MENTOR and ALLERGAN (aka Natrelle/Inamed/McGhan) back their products with a lifetime warranty. Whenever their implants leak, you have the right to a FREE pair of new implants. No other company that I know does that.So, you have a choice.Pay for either Mentor or Allergan implants from a reputable board certified Plastic surgeon OR get "generic" implants elsewhere. Personally, I like the security of a well researched product by a company which stands behind its products. I think it is well worth the price for both myself and my patients.Peter Aldea, MD

The cost of manufacturing has a little to do with the price of implants.
Manufacturing and distributing a Breast implants or any medical implantable device in the United States is a huge undertaking.
Getting FDA authorization cost millions of dollars.
To be successful, the company needs to have massive marketing campaigns and an army of sales representatives that need to be well compensated.
Any new player in the field is going up against well established giants who’ve been around for decades so entry into the market is very difficult.
There is most likely some degree of price fixing, and the companies most likely agree to not compete on price but rather fight over market share.
This is often the case when there are such few manufacturers for products that are difficult to bring to the market.
In comparison to any implantable medical device breast implants are actually relatively cheap.
If you compare this to an artificial hip or heart valve, the prices are actually pretty cheap.
It’s not particularly expensive to make a heart valve, but they still cost thousands of dollars to
In the big picture, I think the price of implants is probably an appropriate, considering other costs of medical product and technologies.
Equality set of implants should last a patient at least 10 years.
If the implants cost $2000, then that can be divided by3650 days or about $.50 per day.
I doubt you can get anything that accomplishes so much for so little.
Let’s say a woman buys a beautiful dress for $200 and where it said 20 times.
That equals $10 per use.
I guess there are different ways of looking at costs.
You can also compare the cost of the implants to the surgeon fee, anesthesia, and facility fees.
My best guess is the implant cost is typically only 25% of the total expense.
It is what it is and there isn’t much doctors can do regarding the price of implants.
I don’t think there’s that much difference between different manufactures.
What I look for personally when selecting an implant manufacturer is receiving the service I need.
This means always having access to the implants I need When I need them. It also means backing me up if there are any technical issues or I need a free implant in case there is a rupture or malfunction.
Most of the companies are very good about this and will usually always give complementary implants if I’m in a pinch or really need their help.
Having a product come with this kind of service with highly qualified, highly motivated, and committed professionals Delivering service is really important in this industry, and that costs money as well.
All the best,
Mats Hagstrom MD

Dear Ms. Mlwatson1971,Thank you for your important question.I have no expertise or "inside" information on this topic.I can only speculate but having gone through the "1990's breast crisis" with prohibition of using silicone implants, multiple lawsuits, required FDA studies and required follow up studies and improvements in silicone gel implants proably account for thier "cost" to produce. The bottom line is that the actual cost of production is proably only a small amount of the cost to to sell and a profit margin.Based on watching the latest implant company, Ideal Breast Implants, the likely hood of a "generic" breast implant is almost nil. Thus if you want to wait it is your choice however it proably won't occur in your lifetime.If you are still interested in a breast augmentation I recommend that you make several consultative appointments with Plastic Surgeons who are experienced and Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In addition ideally they are members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (denoting by membership as having met additional criteria and a focus on Cosmetic Plastic Surgery).I wish you my best and success,R. A. Hardesty, MD, FACSDiplomate and Certified by the Am. Bd. of Plastic Surgerywwwimagineplasticsurgery.com4646 Brockton AveRiverside, Ca 92506(951) 686-7600

After the litigation and heightened FDA requirements the companies raised their prices for implants substantially.  On average we pay $1500 to $1600 per pair with silicone cohesive gel implants.  When I started practice a pair cost $330!   The truth is however that research has resulted in what I believe to be far safer, more durable and less fragile implants that represent major improvements in quality.Saline implants will save you some cost but have definite shortcomings that I generally do not recommend.  
Jon A Perlman MD FACS
Certified, Am Board of Plastic Surgery
Extreme Makeover Surgeon ABC TV
Beverly Hills, Ca

Easy answer - to get an implantable device approved by the FDA requires years of research and millions in up front costs as well as millions in ongoing legal expenses and continued improvement. Where else can you buy such product that will give you continued good results for decades?