How Much Does Breast Implant Removal Cost?

The average cost of breast implant removal is $9,264, according to 372 patient reviews. However, some patients pay as little as $2,000 with insurance, while others spend as much as $19,000 out of pocket.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says that the average cost of breast implant removal surgery is $3,437, though as they note, that’s just the surgeon’s fee. Facility costs, anesthesia, and other related expenses can add thousands to your final bill.

In this guide, we break down:

• everything to look for in a price estimate
• when insurance covers explant surgery
• whether patients say it’s worth the money
• all the factors that will impact your final bill
• average prices by U.S. state and metro

What the cost of breast explant surgery includes

During your consultation with a potential surgeon, they will recommend a customized treatment plan for your breast implant removal surgery. This could involve a capsulectomy (to remove some or all of the scar tissue capsule surrounding the implant), an implant exchange, fat transfer to the breast (to restore lost volume), and/or a breast lift to address sagging breast tissue

Make sure you get a written estimate of all related costs for this outpatient procedure, including:

• the consultation fee (typically applied toward the cost of surgery) 
• the surgeon’s fee (for the implant removal and any ancillary procedures)
• facility fees for the outpatient surgery center or operating room 
• anesthesia fees or oral sedatives (if you’re having your implants removed while awake, under local anesthesia)
• post-op care 
• pain medications
• a support bra or compression garment 

Special circumstances may require you to budget for additional expenses, such as:

• lab work (in cases of BIA-ALCL, or breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a rare type of cancer associated with breast implants)
• pre-op imaging (to obtain baseline scans before additional breast surgeries, like fat grafting)

If you don’t see any of these line items in your estimate, don’t be shy about asking. It’s better to know than get an unpleasant surprise when the bill comes.

Does insurance cover the cost of breast implant removal?

Breast implant removal is considered a cosmetic procedure, so it's not typically covered by health insurance.

However, insurance may cover this outpatient surgical procedure if it’s performed for one of these reasons:

• to remove a ruptured implant
• to correct capsular contracture
• to treat BIA-ALCL

“Insurance companies will rarely cover any additional cosmetic procedures, such as a breast lift or replacement of an implant, for cosmetic [versus reconstructive] purposes,” says Dr. Camille Cash, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Houston. She recommends contacting your insurance provider about the details of your policy.

Dr. Cash also notes that all implant manufacturers offer warranties that can offset the cost of a secondary surgery in the event of a complication. Your surgeon can help you navigate this process.

If your insurance policy won’t cover your procedure and cost is a concern, ask your surgeon which financing options they accept.

Related: 3 Things That Need to Happen for Insurance to Cover Breast Implant Removal

Is breast implant removal worth the money?

Breast implant removal has a 97% Worth It Rating, meaning that a solid majority of reviewers on RealSelf think it was worth the investment, discomfort, and recovery time.

Common reasons that people undergo breast implant removal surgery (also called breast explant surgery) include:

• medical issues or complications of breast augmentation surgery, like implant rupture, malposition, animation deformity, or concerns about breast implant illness (BII) symptoms
• discomfort, often from capsular contracture (when a hard capsule of scar tissue forms around the implant)
• a desire for breast reduction or going back to their natural breast size
• to replace existing implants with an upgrade or different size
• lifestyle changes, such as becoming a runner
• weight fluctuations, especially during menopause

BIA-ALCL, a rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma associated with textured saline or silicone implants, is a far less common reason people undergo breast implant removal, but explant is the primary treatment.

Many reviewers who say their explant procedure was "Worth It" say they feel much more comfortable in their body. Others cite relief from persistent BII symptoms after breast implant removal. 

The small percentage of people who felt their breast implant removal surgery was "Not Worth It" were largely unhappy with their surgeon's work. Some feel the surgery left them "disfigured" or noted complications during their healing process. 

These experiences underscore the importance of working with a surgeon who’s an expert in breast explant or implant revision surgeries.

Related: What 7 Women Wish They Knew Before Removing Their Implants

Why does the cost of breast implant removal vary?

How much your breast implant removal procedure costs will depend on these factors. 

1) Your surgeon's credentials and level of expertise 

Every surgeon sets their own fees based on their expertise, location, reputation, and credentials.

Board-certified plastic surgeons who specialize in breast surgery may charge a higher surgeon's fee because of their advanced training and unique experience. 

If you have a good relationship with the surgeon who did your original implant procedure, it's recommended that you return to them. “They know what was done before, the type of implants, and they may also remove implants at a lower cost than someone who’s never seen the patient,” says Dr. Patricia McGuire, a board-certified plastic surgeon in St. Louis who’s on The Aesthetic Society's BII task force.

If that surgeon isn’t available or refuses to remove your implants, find another experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. “It’s always good to get more than one opinion and go with what seems right to you,” says Dr. McGuire.

There are surgeons who advertise themselves as en bloc removal experts, often to justify extremely high surgical fees. The majority of reputable plastic surgeons do not recommend en bloc removal—which removes the "capsule" of scar tissue surrounding the implant along with the implant itself as a single intact unit—and believe it is needlessly aggressive and potentially deforming.

Explant surgery “is a procedure that you get better at with experience, but most board-certified plastic surgeons have the skills to remove implants and capsules,” says Dr. McGuire.

What’s trickier than the explant, she says, is reshaping the breasts after removal. “That’s where there can be differences in surgical skill.”

To evaluate a surgeon’s expertise, ask to see before and after photos of their explant patients, both with and without a breast lift or fat transfer. Then pay close attention to their reviews (not just the raves).

2) Their practice location

Your surgeon's location will also play a part in how much your procedure costs. A surgical facility in a major city will usually be more expensive, due to higher overhead costs for the surgeon.

If you're willing to travel, it may be worth it to consult with a qualified plastic surgeon in a more affordable area. Just be sure to factor in the cost of the travel, including your immediate recovery accommodations.

3) The surgical facility

Another factor is where your surgery takes place. Some surgeons operate in a dedicated surgery center, which usually has a lower facility fee than a hospital's operating room. That said, it’s vital to make sure a private facility is accredited and your doctor has hospital admitting privileges nearby, in case of an emergency.

4) The type of explant surgery you have

Every breast implant removal surgery is different from the next, each with their own nuances. The price you pay will be customized to your specific case.

Having an en bloc capsulectomy can greatly impact the cost. It may also require some form of breast reconstruction afterwards, so be sure to factor in those costs if going this route.

"Simple implant removal and more aggressive capsulectomies with implant removal are two very different procedures," says Dr. Douglas J. Raskin, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Colorado Springs. "The latter requires more surgery time, anesthesia, risks, and drains, and thus would be more expensive.” 

Related: Breast Implant Illness Patients Are Demanding a Say in How Their Implants Are Removed—But Is Their Technique of Choice Too Risky?

Oftentimes, a basic implant removal (without capsule removal) can be done in the surgeon’s office, using only local anesthesia, in under 30 minutes.

Dr. Raskin advises discussing both types of procedures with your surgeon, so you have a full understanding of the risks and benefits.

5) Any add-on procedures

Explant surgery leaves breasts less full, and patients can end up with excess skin, stretched areola, or asymmetry.

For that reason, many patients choose to combine a removal with an enhancement procedure, like a fat transfer breast augmentation ($9,250, on average), a breast lift (average cost: $7,775), and/or areola reduction.

"Typically for a breast implant removal and breast lift, there are different charges, as they are considered separate procedures,” says Dr. Cash. That means you may end up

Some patients who remove their implants to address complications, like ruptures and capsular contracture, have them replaced with new implants in what’s known as an implant exchange. This is essentially two procedures in one, so an exchange with a fresh set of implants will cost more than a removal alone.

An implant exchange or removal is commonly combined with other body procedures, like liposuction.

While it inflates your total bill, combining two or more plastic surgeries in one operation is more cost effective than having them done at separate times. You'll save money on surgical facility fees and general anesthesia costs. Your provider may also discount their surgeon's fee for the second procedure.

6) The type of anesthesia you have—and who administers it

A simple explant procedure that isn’t intended to treat complications like capsular contracture or BIA-ALCL can be performed under local anesthesia with oral sedation. This is the most affordable option with the lowest risk profile.

If your situation is more complicated or you’re choosing en bloc removal, your surgeon will probably recommend general anesthesia or IV sedation. Either of these options must be administered by an anesthesiologist (an MD) or a nurse anesthetist, who should be on hand to monitor your vitals throughout the procedure. An MD will charge a higher fee, but their expertise can add another level of safety, particularly for patients with underlying health conditions.

Discuss your options with your provider during your initial consultation.

Breast implant removal costs in U.S. states

Browse average breast implant removal costs in U.S. states, according to recent RealSelf member reviews (as of July 2023). States not currently listed did not have enough data to include.

Breast implant removal costs in major U.S. metros