Replacing breast implants typically costs between $6,000 and $12,000 for a straightforward swap, though the final number depends on your location, the type of implants you choose, and whether the surgeon needs to address complications like scar tissue. More complex procedures involving capsule removal can run $12,000 to $16,000. Understanding what drives these costs helps you plan realistically and avoid surprises.
What’s Included in the Total Price
The total you’re quoted usually bundles several separate fees together. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists these typical components: the surgeon’s fee, hospital or surgical facility costs, the implants themselves, anesthesia fees, prescriptions, post-surgery compression garments, and any pre-op imaging or lab work. The surgeon’s fee is the largest single line item and varies widely based on experience and where they practice.
Implant choice also shifts the total. Silicone implants cost roughly $1,000 more than saline, so switching from saline to silicone during a replacement adds to the bill. If you’re staying with the same type and size, the implant cost is more predictable, but upgrading to a newer generation or different profile means a higher price for the devices alone.
When Complications Raise the Price
A simple implant exchange, where the surgeon removes old implants and places new ones through the existing pocket, sits at the lower end of the cost range. But if you’ve developed capsular contracture (a buildup of thick scar tissue around the implant that can cause pain or distortion), the surgeon may need to perform a capsulectomy, carefully removing that scar tissue before placing new implants. That added complexity pushes the total to $12,000 to $16,000 because it takes more operating time and technical skill to remove the capsule while preserving healthy breast tissue.
Other situations that increase cost include correcting implant malposition, treating asymmetry that developed over time, or adding a breast lift to the revision. Each of these layers on additional surgical time and, in some cases, a longer facility fee.
How Location Affects Your Quote
Where you live is one of the biggest cost variables. Major metropolitan areas charge significantly more than smaller cities. For reference, the average surgeon’s fee for breast augmentation nationwide is around $4,875 (revision fees tend to be higher because the surgery is more complex). In California cities, total costs for breast procedures average $6,525 in San Diego, $7,050 in Orange County, $7,175 in Los Angeles, and $7,225 in San Francisco, with individual quotes ranging as high as $10,000 to $14,700 depending on the practice.
Practices in the South and Midwest generally charge less than those on the coasts, though a board-certified surgeon with extensive revision experience may command higher fees regardless of location. Traveling to a lower-cost area is an option some people consider, but factor in travel expenses, hotel stays for follow-up appointments, and the inconvenience of being far from your surgeon if a complication arises.
Do You Actually Need to Replace Every 10 Years?
You’ve probably heard that implants need to be swapped out every decade. That’s an oversimplification. The data behind that guideline shows that after 10 years, about 1 in 5 patients (20%) need some form of revision, whether for capsular contracture, a rupture, or another issue. That also means 80% of patients are doing fine at the 10-year mark. Current guidance from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons is that you don’t need to automatically replace implants on a set schedule. Instead, regular self-exams and physician check-ups are the way to catch problems early and only operate when there’s an actual reason to.
This matters for cost planning. If your implants feel normal and imaging shows no issues, you may go well beyond 10 years before spending money on a replacement. But it’s smart to have a financial cushion in case a revision becomes necessary sooner than expected.
Manufacturer Warranties Can Offset Costs
Most major implant manufacturers offer warranties that cover rupture, and understanding yours can save thousands. Here’s what the main brands provide:
- Allergan (Natrelle): Lifetime replacement implants for rupture, plus up to $3,500 in financial assistance toward surgical costs for the first 10 years.
- Mentor: Lifetime replacement implants for rupture, plus up to $3,500 in financial assistance for 10 years.
- Motiva: Lifetime replacement implants for rupture, plus up to $3,500 in financial assistance for 10 years.
- Sientra: Up to $5,000 in financial assistance for rupture, covered for up to 20 years.
These warranties cover the cost of the new implants and chip away at the surgeon and facility fees, but they won’t cover the full procedure. If your implants rupture within the warranty window, you’re still looking at several thousand dollars out of pocket even after the manufacturer’s contribution. Check your original surgical records or contact the manufacturer to confirm which warranty applies to your implants.
When Insurance Might Cover It
Breast implant replacement is generally considered cosmetic and not covered by insurance. However, there are specific medical situations where insurers will pay. Based on Aetna’s clinical policy (which is representative of most major insurers), removal and replacement may be covered when there is:
- Rupture of a silicone gel implant (inside or outside the capsule)
- Severe capsular contracture causing pain or interfering with mammography
- Implant extrusion through the skin
- Recurrent infections around the implant
- Breast cancer in the implanted breast requiring removal
- Breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma
- FDA-recalled textured implants (such as Allergan Biocell)
If your original implants were placed as part of breast reconstruction after mastectomy or as part of gender-affirming care, the threshold for insurance coverage is lower. Even moderate contracture or a saline rupture that affects the cosmetic result may qualify. Getting pre-authorization before scheduling surgery is essential, and your surgeon’s office can usually handle the paperwork.
Financing Options
For out-of-pocket procedures, most plastic surgery practices offer financing through healthcare-specific lenders. Companies like Cherry, CareCredit, PatientFi, and Alphaeon are common in cosmetic surgery offices. Typical terms range from 1 to 60 months, with APRs from 0% (for qualified borrowers) up to about 36%. As a rough example, a $6,000 procedure financed over 24 months at 0% APR would run about $250 per month.
Many of these lenders let you check your rate with a soft credit pull that won’t affect your score, and approval rates tend to be high across a range of credit profiles. Look for plans with no origination fees, no prepayment penalties, and no deferred interest, which can surprise you with a lump-sum charge if you don’t pay off the balance before a promotional period ends. Some surgeons also offer in-house payment plans, so it’s worth asking during your consultation.