A breast lift with implants typically costs between $10,000 and $20,000 in the United States. That range covers the combined surgeon fees for both procedures, but the final number depends on where you live, your surgeon’s experience, the type of implants you choose, and how complex the lift needs to be. Understanding how these costs break down helps you plan realistically.
How the Combined Cost Breaks Down
A breast lift with implants is actually two procedures performed together: a mastopexy (the lift) and an augmentation (the implants). According to 2024 data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the surgeon fee alone for breast augmentation ranges from $4,575 to $8,000, while a breast lift runs $6,500 to $11,000. Those are just the surgeon’s fees. On top of that, you’ll pay separately for anesthesia, the operating facility, and the implants themselves.
Here’s how the full cost typically stacks up:
- Surgeon’s fee: The largest portion, covering both the lift and the implant placement. Having both done at once is cheaper than two separate surgeries, since you’re only paying for one round of operating room time and anesthesia.
- Anesthesia: General anesthesia for a combined procedure usually runs $1,000 to $2,000, depending on how long the surgery takes.
- Facility fee: The hospital or surgical center charges for the operating room, typically $1,500 to $3,000.
- Implants: The cost of the implants themselves, which varies by type (more on that below).
- Post-surgery costs: Surgical bras, prescription medications, and follow-up visits can add a few hundred dollars.
When a surgeon quotes you a price, ask whether it’s all-inclusive or just the surgical fee. Some practices bundle everything into one number, while others list each component separately. Getting an itemized estimate prevents surprises.
How Implant Type Affects the Price
The type of implant you choose changes the total cost. Silicone implants cost roughly $1,000 more than saline implants. Saline implants are filled with sterile saltwater after they’re placed, while silicone implants come pre-filled with a gel that feels more like natural breast tissue. Most women choosing a lift with implants go with silicone because the goal is usually a fuller, more natural result.
Within silicone options, “gummy bear” implants (a highly cohesive silicone gel that holds its shape even if the shell breaks) tend to cost more than standard silicone, though exact pricing varies by manufacturer and surgeon. Your surgeon will recommend a type based on your body, the degree of lift needed, and the look you want.
Why Location Matters So Much
The same procedure can cost twice as much in one city compared to another. Surgeons in major metro areas like New York, Los Angeles, or Miami charge significantly more than those in smaller cities or the Midwest, largely because their overhead costs are higher. A combined breast lift with implants might run $12,000 in a mid-size Southern city and $20,000 or more in Manhattan.
Traveling to a lower-cost area for surgery is increasingly common, but factor in hotel stays, flights, and the fact that you’ll need to return for follow-up appointments. Some patients find the savings still make it worthwhile, while others prefer the convenience of a local surgeon.
Does Insurance Cover Any of It?
In almost all cases, no. Insurance companies classify a breast lift with implants as cosmetic surgery. Medicare’s policy is representative of most insurers: cosmetic surgery is not covered unless it’s needed because of accidental injury, a malformed body part, or breast reconstruction after a mastectomy for cancer.
There are a few narrow exceptions. If you’ve had massive weight loss and excess skin causes documented medical problems like chronic rashes or infections, some insurers will cover the lift portion (but rarely the implants). If you’ve had breast cancer and need reconstruction, insurance is required by federal law to cover it, including implants and procedures to achieve symmetry. Outside of those situations, plan on paying out of pocket.
Paying for the Procedure
Most plastic surgery practices offer several ways to manage the cost. Many accept medical credit cards like CareCredit, which offer promotional financing periods where you pay no interest if you pay off the balance within a set timeframe (often 12 to 24 months). After the promotional period ends, interest rates on these cards can be high, often 25% or more, so the key is paying it off before that window closes.
Other common options include in-house payment plans offered directly by the surgeon’s office, personal loans from banks or credit unions, and health savings accounts (HSAs) or flexible spending accounts (FSAs), though cosmetic procedures typically don’t qualify for these unless there’s a documented medical need. Some practices also offer discounts for paying in full upfront.
If you’re comparing quotes from multiple surgeons, make sure you’re comparing the same thing. A lower quote that doesn’t include anesthesia or facility fees isn’t actually cheaper. Ask each office for the total all-in cost so you can make an honest comparison.
What Drives the Price Higher or Lower
Several factors push the cost in either direction. A surgeon who is board-certified in plastic surgery with extensive breast surgery experience will generally charge more, and that premium reflects skill and safety outcomes. The complexity of your lift also matters. Someone who needs a minor lift around the areola will have a shorter, less expensive surgery than someone who needs a full anchor-pattern lift with significant tissue reshaping.
Revision surgery, where you’re correcting or updating a previous breast procedure, tends to cost more than a first-time operation because the surgeon is working with scar tissue and altered anatomy. If you’ve had implants before and need them replaced along with a lift, expect the higher end of the range.
The size and type of implant can also affect surgical time. Larger implants or those placed under the chest muscle (rather than over it) may require a longer procedure, which increases anesthesia and facility fees. Your surgeon will walk you through these decisions during a consultation, and most consultations cost $100 to $250, with many offices applying that fee toward your surgery if you book.