Breast augmentation, often called a “boob job,” involves placing implants to increase breast size and enhance shape. The financial commitment for this procedure depends heavily on location, surgeon expertise, and specific procedural details. For those in the Volunteer State, the cost of breast augmentation in Tennessee involves a specialized set of regional variables.
Understanding the Typical Price Range in Tennessee
The total price for breast augmentation in Tennessee generally falls between approximately $5,900 and $8,300 for a standard procedure. This wide range reflects the state’s diverse surgical market. Costs are often higher in major metropolitan areas due to increased overhead and competitive pricing among highly sought-after surgeons.
Cities like Nashville and Memphis, which have a higher concentration of board-certified plastic surgeons and accredited surgical centers, tend to anchor the upper end of this price spectrum. Some clinics in these areas offer all-inclusive packages starting around $6,200 for saline implants and $7,100 for silicone implants. Procedures performed in smaller cities may approach the lower end of the statewide average. The average reported cost for breast augmentation in Tennessee is around $7,150.
This price figure is a comprehensive estimate that bundles multiple expenses into a single quote. The final number includes fees for the surgeon’s time, the facility, and the medical team, not just the implants themselves. Patients should treat a final, itemized quote from a cosmetic surgeon as the only reliable figure. The variance in the final quoted price is influenced by four main components that make up the procedure’s total expense.
Breaking Down the Total Cost
The largest component of the total price is typically the surgeon’s fee, which compensates the plastic surgeon for their expertise, time, and post-operative care. This fee varies significantly based on the surgeon’s experience level, their reputation, and whether they are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. A highly experienced surgeon practicing in a prime Nashville location will generally command a higher fee.
Another significant line item is the facility fee, which covers the cost of using the operating room and the necessary equipment. Most breast augmentation procedures are performed in accredited, outpatient surgical centers, which are generally less expensive than hospital operating rooms. This fee ensures the facility meets strict safety standards and is properly equipped for the procedure and immediate post-operative recovery.
The anesthesia fee covers the services of the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist who monitors the patient throughout the surgery. This cost is often billed hourly and depends on the type of anesthesia administered, typically general anesthesia for breast augmentation. The duration of the procedure, which is usually about an hour, directly impacts this final cost component.
Finally, the implant cost is a variable factor, as silicone implants are consistently more expensive than saline implants. Silicone implants, often pre-filled with a cohesive gel, tend to cost approximately $1,000 to $1,500 more per pair. Saline implants are filled with a sterile salt water solution after placement, which allows for a smaller surgical incision. The choice between these materials, along with specialized options like shaped implants, directly affects the final procedural cost.
Paying for the Procedure: Financing and Insurance
Health insurance coverage is almost never available for cosmetic breast augmentation because the procedure is classified as elective surgery. Insurance only covers breast surgeries when they are deemed medically necessary, such as reconstruction following a mastectomy or correction of severe congenital asymmetry. Patients should assume the entire cost of a standard breast augmentation will be an out-of-pocket expense.
To manage the expense, many Tennessee surgical practices partner with third-party medical financing companies. Popular options like CareCredit, PatientFi, and Prosper Healthcare Lending offer specialized credit lines or personal loans designed for elective medical procedures. These options typically feature low monthly payment plans and may include promotional periods with deferred interest.
Some practices may also offer in-house payment plans or accept major credit cards, though a small processing fee may apply to card transactions. The initial consultation fee, which can range from $50 to over $100, is usually separate from the total procedure price. However, some Tennessee surgeons will credit this consultation fee toward the total cost if the patient proceeds with the surgery.