Pricing for Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation ranked first in the most commonly performed cosmetic plastic surgery last year, with about 307, 000 procedures conducted in the US, or an increase of 4 percent since 2010.

The price for breast augmentation varies, sometimes significantly because it is affected by the surgeon’s fee, location of the surgical center or hospital, and type of implant used during the surgery.  Meanwhile, patients should always bear in mind that the cost should not be the sole factor when choosing a doctor.

Nevertheless, the most expensive breast augmentation plastic surgeon does not necessarily mean that he is the best one to conduct the surgery.

If the surgery uses saline breast implants, the average cost is around $7,000—this already includes all the pre- and post-operative visits, anesthesiologist, surgical facilities, and body garments.  But if the procedure uses silicone implant, the price would be $800 to $1,000 higher.

Silicone is more expensive than saline implant because making it involves a higher manufacturing cost.  Another consideration to make is the plastic surgeon’s fee is usually higher if this implant type is used.

Patients should always bear in mind that the cost of cosmetic plastic surgery is higher in large cities than in most areas because the demand for such procedure is quite high.

People should always be cautious with extremely cheap or discounted plastic surgery because this is often a red flag; the surgery is most likely to be conducted by a non-specialist, or it may be an attempt to fill an empty O.R schedule—which should be a concern.  And in some cases, a very low price is just an advertising hype and may not be the inclusive cost of surgery.

Because breast augmentation and most cosmetic surgeries are quite expensive here, some patients are tempted to go abroad (in Thailand, the cost of breast implant surgery is said to be 50 to 70 percent less).  While there is nothing wrong with “medical tourism,” they should be extra careful since not all countries are as strict as the US.

Patients should always bear in mind that in case their surgery abroad leads to botched results, it may be difficult—or sometimes even impossible—to go after the doctor.  By contrast, the US is very strict when it comes to medical malpractice law; in fact, the records of doctors who have been sued or charged with a disciplinary action can be easily accessed via Internet, although some states require a letter of request before they disclose such information. 

Saline Breast Implants—Overfilling Vs Underfilling

Saline breast implants are filled with a sterile mixture of salt and water while their shell is made of solid silicone that is durable.  However, there is no guaranty that the device can last a lifetime because it is still subjected to the natural wear and tear; for this reason, there is always the possibility of needing a revision surgery at some point in a patient’s life.

One advantage of saline implants over silicone version is that in case of a leak, they will not lead to inflammation of the tissue although patients have to remember that the affected breast will appear deflated right after the rupture.  To correct this problem, the implant must be replaced with a new one during a revision breast augmentation.

However, saline implant has its shortfall; because of its watery consistency, it is prone to sloshing effect, which is attributed to the higher risk of downward displacement. 

One way to prevent the sloshing effect is to overfill the implants with a saline that is more than the amount recommended by the manufacturer.  Patients should remember that overfilling the implants does not lead to a bigger size but only firmer appearance.

For instance, implant manufacturer Mentor recommends its device to be filled with a maximum amount of 300 cubic centimeter or cc, but a plastic surgeon inflates it with 325cc.  Aside from making the implant firmer, the technique has also been said to reduce the sloshing effect.

Another probable advantage of overfilling saline implants is that the need for a revision breast augmentation can be postponed.  Because saline has a natural deflation rate of 1 percent every year, putting content more than the recommended amount of the manufacturer may help prolong the “viable volume” of the implant.

But one downside of overfilling saline implants is that it gives manufacturers the right to cancel the warranty of their products.  However, it does not mean that they will automatically void it, but the technique gives them that option.

While overfilling saline implant is a common practice, underfilling its shell is not since it can lead to a wide range of problems including higher risk of rippling and implant failure; this is because the constant “rubbing” of the folds can affect the integrity of the device.

Another common problem with underfilled saline implants is the visible ripple, which is more of a concern if the breast tissue and fat is limited.

Thinking of Breast Augmentation Surgery?

Breast augmentation has been one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures in 2010.  During this period alone, about 296,000 US patients had the surgery, with the number expected to grow in the next few years.

If you are thinking of having breast augmentation surgery, these are the most common questions of patients you may also have in mind:

·         Is the safety of breast implants monitored by the FDA?

Both saline and siliconebreast implants are considered safe both for breast augmentation and reconstruction following cancer surgery.  Currently, the FDA only allows Mentor and Allergan-Mentor to sell their products in the country.

·         What is the advantage of saline breast implants over the silicone version?

Saline implants require smaller incisions because they are only filled once they are inside the breast pocket.  Take note that no FDA-approved prefilled saline implants are sold in the US.  Another advantage is that you are no longer required to undergo regular MRI screening because there is no risk of “silent leak.”

·         Which is more popular nowadays, silicone or saline implants?

Most doctors believe that silicone implants are more popular these days because they can simulate the natural feel of tissue unlike the saline version which is typically described as like having a water-balloon inside the breast.

But because a leak may not have any manifestation (e.g., deflated-looking breasts), it is recommended that you undergo MRI screening at least every two years.

·         Is there any option other than saline and silicone implants?

A new breast implant called “gummy bear” implant is used in Europe, though it is not yet available in the US market, unless you will enroll in nationwide clinical trials to test the product’s effectiveness and safety.

Gummy bear implant uses the silicone gel that is more cohesive than the one used by the currently available silicone implant.

·         Do patients need revisions in the future?

Because breast implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime, you will likely need revision breast augmentation at some point in your life.  This is because the devices are still subjected to the natural wear and tear which can lead to rupture and leak.

Breast Implants Save Woman’s Life During an Attack

Yes, the headline sounds comical but it is true.  A woman in Florida has claimed that her saline breast implant saved her life after it prevented a pocket knife from piercing her lungs and heart.

Meanwhile, doctors believe that the victim’s breast implant really saved her life.  The woman, who did not want to be named, said she was stabbed by her ex-fiance’s new girlfriend several times using a pocket knife.

The suspect, Amy Winter, stabbed the 41-year-old victim several times in her left chest. 

Because the breast implant absorbed the deadly blow, it prevented the pocket knife from piercing the victim’s vital organs.  In fact, doctors said that without the synthetic device, she could have sustained fatal injuries such as collapsed lungs and heart failure.

The incident happened outside the victim’s apartment in Melbourne.  According to police report, Winter scratched her car and stabbed her repeatedly during confrontation.

The victim said the attack happened so fast that she found herself covered with blood—and also saline (or simply saltwater solution) from the ruptured breast implants, which she got three months ago.  For this reason, she said that her breastaugmentation, which cost $6,000, is probably the best investment she ever made.

Meanwhile, the breast implant manufacturer said it will provide warranty because the patient is a victim of a crime.

Dr. Tarick Smaili, a breast augmentation doctor who did not treat the victim, said that he heard a few cases of breast implants “inordinately saving a woman’s life.”

“A few years ago, I read a news about a woman in Los Angeles who was shot in the chest but the bullet fragments, as shown by the CT scan, were prevented by the implants from reaching the heart and other vital organs,” Smaili said.

“So this news about a woman with breast implants who survived after being stabbed in the chest no longer sounds incredulous or impossible to me.  I hear such stories from time to time so this one no longer surprises me,” the Los Angeles plastic surgeon said.