The surgical procedure commonly known as a “boob job” is medically termed Augmentation Mammoplasty. This elective surgery involves placing an implant beneath the breast tissue or chest muscle to increase breast size and shape. The cost varies significantly across the country and within Arkansas. Understanding the full scope of the cost requires examining the individual components of the total fee, rather than relying on a single price.
The Core Cost Breakdown in Arkansas
The total cost for cosmetic breast augmentation in Arkansas typically ranges from $5,300 to $12,000. This range reflects differences in the surgeon, the type of implant selected, and the location of the practice. Patients must account for three major financial components that make up the total price.
The largest portion of the expense is the surgeon’s fee, which compensates the plastic surgeon for their expertise and time performing the operation. This fee can vary widely based on the surgeon’s experience and reputation. The average surgeon’s fee in Arkansas has been noted to be around $3,800, covering only the professional services of the surgeon.
The remaining costs include the anesthesia fee and the surgical facility fee. The anesthesia fee covers the services of the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist who administers and monitors the sedation during the procedure. The facility fee covers the use of the operating room, surgical supplies, and necessary nursing staff, whether the surgery is performed in an accredited outpatient center or a hospital setting. These two fees, along with the cost of the implants themselves, complete the baseline financial picture for the procedure.
Factors Influencing the Final Price
The choice of implant material is one of the most significant variables affecting the final price of the augmentation. Saline-filled implants, which are filled with sterile salt water, are generally the more cost-effective option. The all-inclusive cost for a procedure using saline implants may start as low as $5,300.
Silicone gel-filled implants are often preferred for their softer, more natural feel but represent a higher cost. A procedure using silicone implants can start around $6,500, reflecting the expense of the FDA-approved silicone gel. A surgeon’s reputation and level of experience also influence their professional fee. Board-certified plastic surgeons with extensive experience may command a higher fee than less established practitioners.
The complexity of the surgical plan also acts as a modifier to the total price. If the procedure requires additional work, such as a breast lift (mastopexy) to correct significant sagging alongside the implant placement, the total cost will increase. Geographic location within Arkansas also plays a role. Practices in larger metropolitan areas like Little Rock may have higher overheads that are reflected in their pricing compared to those in smaller cities.
Navigating Payment and Financing
For nearly all cosmetic procedures, including Augmentation Mammoplasty, standard health insurance plans do not provide coverage. Insurance only covers breast augmentation when it is deemed medically necessary, such as for post-mastectomy reconstruction. Therefore, patients should be prepared to cover the entire cost out-of-pocket.
Many practices in Arkansas offer specific financial solutions to help patients manage the expense of the procedure. Medical credit cards, such as CareCredit, are a common avenue for financing cosmetic surgery. These specialized credit lines offer various payment plans, sometimes including deferred interest options for qualified applicants.
Some plastic surgery offices provide their own in-house payment plans or work with third-party lenders to make the cost more manageable. During an initial consultation, the practice’s financial coordinator will typically provide a detailed cost estimate and discuss all available financing options. This ensures patients can secure a payment method before committing to the surgery.