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:
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:
It’s also smart to ask:
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.
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.
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.
These are the biggest variables that impact the total cost of breast lift surgery.
Your breasts’ degree of ptosis (sagging) and excess skin can make your procedure more or less complex and time-consuming.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.)
State | Average Cost |
---|---|
Alabama | $8,249 |
Arizona | $9,396 |
California | $9,896 |
Colorado | $9,473 |
Connecticut | $9,800 |
Florida | $6,696 |
Georgia | $7,325 |
Hawaii | $10,000 |
Illinois | $8,692 |
Indiana | $5,092 |
Kansas | $6,700 |
Kentucky | $4,475 |
Louisiana | $10,537 |
Maryland | $7,419 |
Massachusetts | $8,379 |
Michigan | $6,960 |
Minnesota | $7,200 |
Missouri | $7,314 |
Nebraska | $8,650 |
Nevada | $7,611 |
New Jersey | $9,875 |
New York | $11,608 |
North Carolina | $7,897 |
Ohio | $7,671 |
Oklahoma | $7,433 |
Oregon | $8,531 |
Pennsylvania | $7,531 |
South Carolina | $7,767 |
Tennessee | $6,546 |
Texas | $10,285 |
Utah | $8,387 |
Virginia | $6,826 |
Washington State | $8,867 |
Wisconsin | $6,928 |
Metro Area | Average Cost |
---|---|
Atlanta, GA | $8,210 |
Boston, MA | $8,406 |
Charlotte, NC | $8,186 |
Chicago, IL | $10,053 |
Columbus, OH | $9,645 |
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX | $8,060 |
Denver, CO | $11,167 |
Detroit, MI | $9,000 |
Houston, TX | $11,715 |
Las Vegas, NV | $7,875 |
Long Island East of JFK | $10,050 |
Los Angeles, CA | $13,636 |
Miami, FL | $6,356 |
New York City | $14,130 |
North New Jersey | $11,760 |
Orange County, CA | $9,333 |
Orlando, FL | $9,233 |
Philadelphia & South New Jersey | $7,025 |
Phoenix, AZ | $11,017 |
Portland, OR | $7,705 |
Sacramento, CA | $12,387 |
San Diego, CA | $10,050 |
Tampa, FL | $8,833 |
Washington, DC | $8,020 |
West Palm Beach, FL | $13,500 |