How Much Does a Breast Lift Cost?

The average cost of a breast lift (mastopexy) is $7,775, but it can range from $3,869 to as much as $16,000, according to thousands of recent patients reviews on RealSelf.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons says that a breast lift costs $5,012 on average, but as they note, that’s just the surgeon’s fee: it “does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses.” These additional fees can add thousands of dollars to your final bill.

As you’d imagine, a breast lift with breast implants costs more: people in the U.S. typically pay $9,000 for a lift plus breast augmentation.

Read on to find out:

• what to look for in a plastic surgeon’s price quote
• why mastopexy costs vary widely
• if insurance ever covers breast lift surgery
• whether real patients think their results were worth the money

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What does the total cost include?

During your initial consultation with a plastic surgeon, they should walk you through a treatment plan to address all of your concerns, such as sagging, nipple position, or lost breast volume after weight loss or breastfeeding. This is the perfect time to ask for a personalized breast lift cost quote that includes: 

• Their surgeon’s fee
• All anesthesia costs 
• Facility fees for the hospital or surgical center 
• Any additional fees for surgical supplies
• Pre- and post-op lab and medical tests 
• Follow-up appointments and other postoperative charges 

It’s also smart to ask: 

• Will the consultation fee be applied to the cost of your surgery?
• How much will you need to budget for prescription medications and any major recovery supplies, like a support bra to help reduce swelling?
• How do they handle revision surgery costs, in case you have a complication or any concerns about your results?

If you don’t have paid time off, that's another potential cost to consider: you’ll need to take at least a week off work for breast lift recovery. If your job is physical (especially if you need to lift more than 10 pounds), you may even need a month off.

Does insurance cover breast lift surgery?

Breast lifts are considered elective cosmetic procedures, which most health insurance plans don’t cover.

However, if you have a documented medical condition, you may be able to prove that surgery is medically necessary. That could include a congenital breast deformity, like tuberous breasts.

If you have overly large, sagging breast tissue, you may be able to get coverage for breast reduction, which could offset some of the cost of a lift if these surgeries are combined in one operation.

Is a breast lift worth the money?

A solid majority of people who’ve had a mastopexy think a breast lift is worth the money: it has a solid 94% Worth It Rating from RealSelf reviewers.

Many who say it was “Worth It” cite perky, proportional, younger-looking breasts. Some note that they have a better breast shape, find the scars easy to cover up, and that they now have easier experiences buying clothes, along with more confidence. 

Among those who found it was “Not Worth It,” many say they have uneven results or had recovery complications, like infections or skin necrosis.

To help make the most of your investment, choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon and follow their aftercare instructions closely.

What affects the cost of a breast lift?

What impacts the cost of a breast lift?

These are the biggest variables that impact the total cost of breast lift surgery.

1. The complexity of your surgical procedure

Your breasts’ degree of ptosis (sagging) and excess skin can make your procedure more or less complex and time-consuming. 

• A significant lift on pendulous breasts can require considerable tissue removal and careful reshaping. This is typically performed via an “anchor” incision, which encircles the areola and travels vertically down the front of the breast and horizontally across the breast fold. 
• Lifting smaller breasts with minimal droop usually involves less work and a smaller incision, like the “lollipop” (which spares the horizontal cut) or even a “donut” incision, which traces the outer edge of the areola.

Nipple placement generally determines the amount of lift needed: If a nipple that was once oriented in the center of the breast now falls below the breast crease and points at the floor, a sizable lift may be in order. 

More complexity translates to more time in the operating room, and more money: combining your breast lift procedure with other breast enhancement procedures (like a breast reduction, breast implants, fat transfer augmentation, areola reduction, or nipple surgery) will increase your overall bill.

However, if you’re already planning on having more than one breast surgery, combining them in a single operation comes with some cost savings. You’ll only have to pay one facility and anesthesia fee, and some providers discount their surgeon’s fee for each additional procedure.

Many women opt to combine breast surgery with a tummy tuck and liposuction, for a full mommy makeover. This multi-procedure operation costs $12,800, on average, but it can produce a dramatic transformation.  

2. Your plastic surgeon’s level of experience

When choosing a surgeon, make sure they’re board-certified in plastic surgery and have significant experience performing breast lift surgery, with the patient reviews and photo gallery to show for it.

It can be worth the time and consult fees to have consultations with at least two qualified plastic surgeons, so you can compare their treatment plans and cost estimates.

3. Their practice location

Surgeons who practice in cities or neighborhoods with high costs of living have to charge more, simply because they have more overhead to cover.

It can be worth traveling to a more affordable location—as long as you still see an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. Make sure you’ve thoroughly vetted them ahead of time. 

Here are some examples of breast lift price ranges around the U.S.

• In Houston, Texas, plastic surgeon Dr. Patrick W. Hsu charges $9,000 to $10,500 for a breast lift.
• Miami, Florida plastic surgeon Dr. Rami Ghurani charges less: $4,000 to $8,000, on average.
• The average breast lift cost in Arizona, according to Gilbert, Arizona plastic surgeon Dr. Josh Olson, is between $5,500 and $7,000.
• In San Francisco, California, breast lift prices at Dr. Usha Rajagopal’s practice start at $13,500.

Keep in mind that finding a “cheap breast lift” doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be snagging a deal. If a price seems too good to be true, it may be because the surgeon isn’t qualified. This can become very expensive if you have to pay for revision surgery, or the medical care to deal with a complication.

Related: 7 Key Things to Do If You’re Traveling Outside the U.S. for Plastic Surgery

4. The type of surgical facility where your surgery is performed

Plastic surgeons frequently perform this outpatient procedure in the operating room of their own surgery center (if they have one). This costs much less than having it done in a hospital, which has higher overhead fees. 

If you opt to have your procedure in a private surgical center, ask your surgeon if it’s AAAASF accredited and if they have hospital privileges nearby, in case of an emergency.

5. The type of anesthesia you have and who administers it

Most breast lifts are done under general anesthesia, so you’re completely unconscious. Some surgeons offer twilight anesthesia (also called conscious sedation), but it's not necessarily a cheaper option because an anesthesiologist still needs to be present throughout the procedure. 

The full cost of anesthesia includes the anesthesiologist’s fee and the hospital or facility anesthesia fee, which covers supplies, medications, and any additional staff.

A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) can administer anesthesia at a lower cost than an anesthesiologist, but some surgeons consider a board-certified anesthesiologist to be a safer option, due to their advanced training. Especially if you have underlying conditions, they may insist on this additional level of safety.

Can you finance a breast lift procedure?

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.

Breast lift costs in U.S. states

Browse average breast lift costs and ranges by state, according to the 468 most recent RealSelf reviews as of February 2023. (Note: In the map image, blank states don't have enough recent data to display.)

Breast lift costs in major U.S. metros