January 2, 2025 - Dr. Markarian

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) reports that 304,181 Breast Augmentation procedures were performed in 2023. Given that the procedure is so popular, how are so many people covering the Boston Breast Augmentation cost?How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost?How To Finance Your Breast AugmentationSetting Up A Savings AccountCheck Your Insurance PolicyBorrowing a Lump SumContact a Board-Certified Plastic SurgeonMinimize Your Recovery TimeDisclaimerWhen it comes to surgery, Breast Augmentation, also known as Augmentation Mammoplasty or Breast Implant Surgery, is the most popular cosmetic procedure. And it’s easy to understand why.Evidence suggests that the surgery can improve a person’s confidence. A 2007 study published in Plastic Surgical Nursing found a positive correlation between breast enhancement surgery, self-esteem, and feelings of sexuality.But there is a lot to consider when deciding to have surgery. This can often lead to delays in booking a consultation and some patients have reported prolonged unhappiness about their appearance before eventually having the procedure.You can read our Most Frequently Asked Questions about Breast Augmentation Surgery.How Much Does Breast Augmentation Cost?One of the main concerns patients have is the cost of the surgery and the price of their implants. RealSelf reports that the total cost of the procedure can range from $3,900 to $12,500. The total cost will typically include the surgeon’s fee, hospital and anesthesia costs, and the implants themselves. It is important to get a quote from a surgeon and ensure you understand exactly what that price includes. Your Boston Breast Augmentation cost will largely depend on the surgeon’s experience and credentials. The cost of your breast augmentation also depends on if you decide to get saline or silicone implants, and whether you choose textured or smooth silicone.Breast surgery is becoming more affordable and available for average-income earners. It’s reported that demand for cosmetic surgery continues to rise, despite economic concerns. NewBeauty reports that plastic surgery equipment, anesthesia fees, and OR time have become more expensive due in part to energy price inflation.How To Finance Your Breast AugmentationMany patients spend a lot of time considering the best way to finance their surgery. How patients cover their surgery is a personal choice and depends on their circumstances and how soon they would like the procedure done.With careful planning, there might be several options that can help patients incorporate this surgery with the rest of their financial needs.Setting up a Savings AccountSuitable for those willing to wait for their surgeryIf you’ve just started considering surgery and are in the early research phase for the procedure, you may want to save in advance for the whole or at least part of the Boston Breast Augmentation cost.Finder.com reviewed nearly 100 savings accounts to help you compare what’s out there, featuring SoFi, Uphold, and Wealthfront for their market-leading APYs, few fees, and little to no minimum deposit requirements.Building up your savings requires you to review your income and outgoings to make sure you can save a portion of your disposable income without causing financial struggles elsewhere. You may find some obvious cuts to your monthly outgoings that won’t have much impact on your lifestyle but can help boost your savings. Not only is this a good opportunity to do a financial spring clean, but it is also a great chance to think creatively about how to increase your income if possible. The bonus of saving for the procedure in advance is obvious. You can undergo surgery with the confidence that you can afford it and it takes a lot of pressure off your finances in the future. Check your Insurance Policy Suitable for those for whom the procedure may be considered a medical necessityIt’s generally accepted that the Boston Breast Augmentation cost, when performed purely for aesthetic reasons, won’t be covered by health insurance. Breast reconstruction, following a mastectomy for Breast Cancer patients, may be covered, depending on the insurance provider and policy.Breast Implant Removal patients suffering from Capsular Contracture may be covered by insurance, depending on the symptoms they are suffering from. Replacing the implants may be at the cost of the patient, as it is typically not seen as medically necessary.According to The Balance, what’s considered cosmetic plasticsurgery (aesthetic) versus medically necessary is entirely up to your insurancecompany and may change over time. However, most insurance companies follow thedefinitions given by the American Medical Association and the AmericanSociety of Plastic Surgeons.The only way to find out for sure is to take the advice of a board-certified surgeon and other healthcare professionals.We typically work with these insurance providers:Harvard Pilgrim Health CareAetnaCIGNABlue CrossUnitedHealthcareMass General Brigham Health PlanBorrowing a Lump SumSuitable for those who want immediate surgery and can pay back their debt over the long-termFor a purely aesthetic procedure, many patients consider borrowing money to fund their surgery. There are healthcare credit cards to think about, which provide a line of credit specifically designed to cover medical bills. Subject to credit approval, the largest provider, CareCredit, offers a health and wellness card that’s accepted by over 270,000 providers across the country.CareCredit states that no interest is charged if a provider offers promotion financing with shorter-term financing of 6, 12, 18, or 24 months on purchases of $200 or more, as long as the minimum monthly payments are made and the full amount is paid at the end of the promotional period. Interest is charged after this date.This means a $12,000 Boston Breast Augmentation cost, paid for on the Deferred Interest, may work out at $2,000 per month over 6 months or $500 a month over 2 years. For more terms and conditions, and to put in your figures, check out the CareCredit calculator here.Some pay for it using standard credit cards. If you’re thinking this is the route for you, Claire Tsosie at Nerdwallet.com advises borrowers to minimize costs by seeking a card with a long introductory 0% APR period, no fee, and to make sure they pay on time, every time. Reading the terms carefully is imperative, as well as watching the limit – the combination of a low-limit card and an expensive procedure can lower credit scores. This can be avoided by lowering the amount of available credit being used.Another option is a personal loan from your bank. Emma Johnson from creditcards.com says the advantage of this route is that you have a fixed interest rate and a fixed amount of time in which to repay. It may also boost your credit rating, but – and this may be a plus as well as a minus – she says you won’t be able to add more to the balance should you need to later.Meet a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon in Boston to find out your options As well as thoroughly researching your finance options, you also need to know exactly what your surgery entails.You may want to discuss:If you’re a good candidate for a Breast AugmentationThe kind of implants and aesthetic you desire for your breastsThe recovery time from the surgeryA detailed outline of the costs involved.Learn more by reading our Most Frequently Asked Questions about Breast Augmentation Surgery.A consultation is also your opportunity to discover exactly how big your investment will be – as well as to find a board-certified doctor whom you connect with. I think the most important component of the consultation is to establish a good connection with your plastic surgeon. It’s the connection that allows you to clearly define your desired outcome goals, the first step of this whole process. If you don’t feel you have a good connection with your plastic surgeon after your consultation, he/she may not be the best surgeon for you. Dr. MarkarianOne way to minimize your outlay is to stay local. This cuts down on travel and accommodation costs and means your surgeon is close by for any follow-up appointments you may have. Minimize your Recovery Time Minimizing your recovery time means you can be fit for work and earning again, sooner rather than later.While it is cosmetic surgery, it is still a physical ordeal, and recovery time should be factored into your diary as well as your financial planning.You may have enough paid vacation time accrued to cover the time off you’ll need, but even if you don’t, the good news is your job should be safe. Under the Family Medical Leave Act created by the US Department of Labour, certain employees are entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-protected leave per year. It’s worth checking what you’re due.But there is a lot that patients can do to speed up their recovery. Physical therapist and author of After the Cut, Nicole Psomas, has written a how-to guide for preparation and recovery after cosmetic surgery and claims that those best prepared for surgery have better results.One way to get a good idea of recovery times is to read other patient’s questions or reviews. RealSelf.com contains answers by plastic surgeons to frequently asked questions including “Breast Augmentation Recovery: What Can I Expect?“Although Dr. Markarian creates a specific post-operative program for his patients, 6 weeks is generally the recommended recovery time. There may be a variation in recovery time recommendations between surgeons as they may use different techniques and implant locations. Dr. Markarian generally places breast implants below the muscle. He recommends patients do not try to rush recovery as using their pectoralis muscle prematurely can lead to complications such as displacement of the implant to the sides, fluid collection, or an increased risk of capsular contracture in the future.Many of Dr. Markarian’s patients feel great after three weeks and feel ready to begin exercising on a stationary bike. However, to reduce the risk of complications, Dr. Markarian is conservative in his approach to recovery time and recommends only light walking for exercise before the 6-week mark.Undergoing surgery is a personal and unique experience and while many people are sure they want it – they’re not sure how to pay for it. One of the first tasks is to gather as much information as you can and make a connection with a local friendly board-certified surgeon who will answer all of your questions about aesthetic options – and the Boston Breast Augmentation cost that goes with them. Then it’s a matter of deciding whether you’re going to save or borrow to make sure you achieve the best all-round result for you.Please note: All materials on the Site, such as text, treatments, outcomes, photographs and images and any other material provided on the Site are for information purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding treatments. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Site.Though the content of this page has been carefully prepared, the author of this content is not a medical doctor and the content has not been reviewed by a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon. Unless specifically stated, patients referred to in this blog have not received surgery by Dr Mark Markarian. This blog does not endorse the work of any doctors or surgeons mentioned. Stories relating to patients’ personal experiences of surgery should be treated as anecdotal only.Any application of the material provided is at the reader’s discretion and his, her or their responsibility.

MD, MSPH, FACS

HARVARD-TRAINED BOARD
CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON

Day: January 2, 2025

Boston Breast Augmentation Cost: How Can I Afford It?