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How Much Does Breast Reduction Surgery Cost?

Last updated 10/07/2022 by

Ossiana Tepfenhart

Edited by

Fact checked by

Summary:
On average, you should expect to spend at least $5,900 for breast reduction surgery. However, the typical price of a breast reduction can vary from $5,000 to $7,000, with more complicated procedures costing even more. Health insurance can potentially pay for much of the surgery, especially if you have medical issues due to the size of your breasts.
When people think about going to a cosmetic surgeon for breast surgery, they probably think of a breast enhancement surgery. However, this isn’t always the case. Many women seek a surgeon for a reduction instead.
Breast reduction surgery, or reduction mammaplasty, can help women reduce back pain, avoid stressful situations, and find clothes that fit. It can provide a big boost to someone’s self-esteem. This type of cosmetic surgery can be expensive, though. If you have certain conditions, your health insurance may cover at least part of the cost. Keep reading to learn about the costs associated with breast reduction surgery and how you can pay for it.

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How much does breast reduction cost?

Generally speaking, a breast reduction will cost between $5,000 and $7,000, with the average cost of breast reduction surgery coming in at $5,913 in 2020. This makes it a fairly affordable procedure as aesthetic surgeries go.
This range includes the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, rental of the surgical center, and any recovery equipment you may need, such as a compression bra. Since a breast reduction is considered major surgery, you also will need a follow-up appointment.
But keep in mind that this cost is the average. If you need to stay overnight in a hospital or your surgeon charges a higher fee, your cost could be much higher.

Pro Tip

A consultation for a reduction will not cost much. In fact, most plastic surgery offices don’t charge a fee for a consultation. If you aren’t sure whether you want to get a reduction, ask for a consult to learn more.

What goes into a breast reduction?

Though there are a lot of smaller steps to this procedure, we’re going to discuss the general procedure. Here’s what to expect:
  1. First you go to a surgeon for a consultation. There, the doctor will examine you to determine if you’re a good candidate for the procedure. The initial consultation may also involve a run-through of the surgical technique, physical concerns, and the pricing.
  2. If you choose to do the surgery, you may have to pay a stipend upfront. The payment policies for plastic surgery can vary from surgeon to surgeon. In many cases, you may have to pay a fee that goes towards the surgery as a way to “lock it in.”
  3. The day of the surgery, you will be put under general anesthesia. The surgeon will make several incisions in order to remove excess breast tissue. In most cases, the nipple size will also be reduced to be more proportional.
  4. Recovery can take several weeks. You may need to wear a surgical bra or a chest binder. You may also be prescribed pain medication to help with pain and discomfort.
  5. The surgeon will call you back for an additional checkup. They want to make sure that the reduction procedure didn’t have any complications and that you’re healing well.

Who is a good candidate for a breast reduction?

Many women might be surprised to hear that they are good candidates for this surgery. The ideal candidate is a woman who has large breasts (or overly large breasts) and experiences physical discomfort as a result of them.
The best candidates also don’t need to lose weight and do not have too much body fat. Excess fat can actually prevent you from getting a reduction, simply because it increases the risks of surgery. A BMI over 35 can disqualify you, so if you are obese, you may need to lose weight first.
If you’re in moderately good health and suffer back pain, you might be a good candidate for this surgery. Generally speaking, women who have repeatedly experienced discomfort due to their breast size are the ones who get the most satisfaction from this procedure.

What kind of factors increase the cost of breast reduction?

For the most part, breast reduction surgery is pretty straightforward. Factors that can increase the cost include:
  • Your doctor’s reputation. Some surgeons charge more than others.
  • Hospital fees. If you have to stay overnight in a hospital, you could have to pay thousands more. Ask about insurance coverage for this.
  • Location of the surgical center. If you live in a major city, you’ll probably pay more.
  • Varying anesthesia fees. Some anesthesiologists charge higher fees than others.
  • The actual size of the breasts. Larger breasts may require more complicated procedures that cost more.

Pro Tip

Always shop around to find the best possible price for your reduction surgery. The difference in pricing between firms can be thousands of dollars. Be sure to read reviews, if possible, and ask other women for recommendations.

How do you finance a reduction procedure?

Most people would agree that breast reduction costs big bucks, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. These options make it easy to finance the procedure you want:
  • Cash. When in doubt, cash payment is king. If you can save up for it, then you’ll be good to go. It would be tough to find a doctor who would turn down a cash payment.
  • Medical loans. Multiple companies offer personal loans for medical reasons, including breast reduction surgery and Lasik eye surgery. Cosmetic surgery loans are increasingly common now that demand is high, so don’t be afraid to ask your bank for a loan before you go.
  • Medical credit cards. Loans can be hard to apply for, depending on your credit situation. Credit cards may be easier to acquire and will give you more flexibility when it comes to spending. It’s one of the easiest ways to finance plastic surgery from lipo to Lasik.
  • Health insurance. It’s true that many health insurance plans view a breast reduction as a medical necessity. Insurance may pay most or all of the total price of your surgery. Talk to your insurance provider to see if this is a good option for you.
  • Crowdfunding. Believe it or not, crowdfunding is quickly becoming one of the more common ways to finance a surgical procedure you can’t afford otherwise. If you have a lot of friends who are willing to help, you might be able to set up a crowdfunding site for this procedure.
  • Payment plans. Certain plastic surgeons offer in-house payment plans. It’s best to ask a surgeon about this during a consult. In most cases, you can divide your bill into installments.

Compare medical loans

Are you struggling with the way you look? Do you want Botox or cosmetic dental work (or just something practical like getting your wisdom teeth removed)? You are far from alone.
Of course, medical care is never cheap. It’s going to take a little planning to get the care that you want. That’s why SuperMoney created a full guide to financing plastic surgery. You can also use our tool to compare personal loans that will help you get some extra money for your surgery.

SuperMoney may receive compensation from some or all of the companies featured, and the order of results are influenced by advertising bids, with exception for mortgage and home lending related products. Learn more

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When can your insurance cover breast reduction surgery?

It’s important to remember that many health insurance providers see breast reduction as a primarily cosmetic surgery. However, there are some reasons why your insurance provider may cover it.
If you have been suffering from back pain or have a stiff neck due to your breast size, then a reduction could make medical sense. This is especially true if you can furnish proof of issues like neck pain or even having your bra straps dig into your shoulders.
Getting a breast reduction covered by insurance often means that you may have to talk to your doctor about getting a referral. In some cases, you can also ask a board-certified plastic surgeon to help prove that your oversized breasts are causing chronic pain.

Pro Tip

Much like other types of insurance issues, the outcome depends on the insurance provider and their policies. At the very least, you have a higher chance of financing a reduction than an augmentation.

FAQs

How big do your breasts need to be to get a reduction?

Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to be a minimum size to get a breast reduction. The best way to handle this is to ask your cosmetic surgeon about whether you’re a good candidate.

Do breasts grow back after a reduction?

Because you’re literally removing excess tissue and fat, your breasts cannot regrow once they have been reduced. Breast reductions are permanent. However, if you gain weight, the fat cells in your chest area could expand, resulting in a larger chest.

How painful is a breast reduction?

Like any other major cosmetic procedure, you should expect to feel mild to moderate physical discomfort after your surgery. Most people will be very sore for two to three days. However, light soreness can persist for two weeks after the surgery,

Does your stomach look bigger after breast reduction?

A breast reduction will not cause you to gain weight, and there’s no correlation between the two. However, recovery can be a bit of a trap. If you stop working out after your recovery period or indulge in too many foods post-operation, you might gain weight or even bloat as you recover.
Most patients who undergo this surgery actually look slimmer and see a couple pounds drop off on the scale. It makes sense since you are removing excess tissue and fat.

Key Takeaways

  • The average cost of a breast reduction surgery is around $5,000 to $7,000, including the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, rental of the surgical center, and any recovery equipment you may need.
  • Common financing options include cash, medical loans, medical credit cards, and health insurance.
  • Certain offices may also offer special in-house payment plans with no interest if paid within a certain amount of time.
  • If you need the surgery because of physical issues, it’s possible your insurance provider may be able to cover a large portion of your reduction procedure.
  • It’s wise to talk to a surgeon about payment options during your breast reduction consultation. This initial consultation may be free.

SuperMoney may receive compensation from some or all of the companies featured, and the order of results are influenced by advertising bids, with exception for mortgage and home lending related products. Learn more

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