Explant surgery (removal of breast implants) is often combined with a mastopexy, or breast lift. This combination addresses two goals: removing the implant and correcting the resulting skin laxity. When implants are removed, the stretched skin and underlying tissue often require reshaping and elevation to restore contour. Understanding the highly variable financial landscape of this combined procedure requires a detailed look at the contributing factors.
The Typical Cost Range
The initial cost quoted for a combined explant and lift procedure typically represents the surgeon’s professional fee. For this complex, dual procedure, the surgeon’s fee alone can range broadly from approximately $8,000 to over $15,000 nationally. This wide range reflects the surgeon’s time, skill, and the complexity of the surgical plan. This figure is only a starting point and does not include other necessary expenses. Patients should view this as the baseline price before additional facility, anesthesia, and ancillary charges are added.
Key Variables Affecting Pricing
The final price for explant and mastopexy surgery fluctuates significantly based on factors unique to the provider and the patient’s case. A surgeon’s expertise and reputation play a substantial role in their fee structure. Board-certified plastic surgeons, particularly those with extensive experience in explant procedures, often command higher fees due to their proven track record. The geographic location of the surgical practice is another major determinant of cost. Procedures performed in high-cost-of-living metropolitan areas, such as New York City or Los Angeles, generally have higher overhead and higher prices than those in lower-cost regions.
The complexity of the surgery itself also directly impacts the final cost by influencing the operating room time and surgical effort. Explant surgery may involve a simple removal or a more complex capsulectomy (removal of the scar tissue capsule that forms around the implant). If the entire capsule must be removed (an en bloc capsulectomy), the surgery is more time-consuming and technically demanding, increasing the price. Furthermore, the type of mastopexy required—crescent, lollipop, or anchor lift—depends on the degree of skin removal and tissue repositioning needed, adding to the procedural complexity.
Itemized Costs Beyond the Surgeon’s Fee
The surgeon’s fee is just one part of the total cost, with substantial expenses added for the safe execution of the procedure. Anesthesia fees are a mandatory addition, covering the services of the anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) who monitors the patient throughout the operation. This cost is determined by the specific type of anesthesia used (typically general anesthesia) and the overall duration of the surgery. Longer, more complex cases requiring extended operating room time will incur higher anesthesia charges.
The surgical facility fee accounts for the use of the operating room, specialized equipment, and the support staff, including nurses and surgical technicians. This fee varies depending on where the procedure is performed. Operations conducted in an accredited outpatient surgical center are often less expensive than those taking place in a hospital setting. Finally, ancillary costs must be budgeted for outside of the main surgical quote, including pathology fees for testing the removed capsule and tissue, the cost of post-operative compression garments, and initial prescriptions for pain management and antibiotics.
Navigating Insurance and Financing
Payment for the combined procedure is complicated because insurance providers treat the two components differently. The mastopexy portion, performed for aesthetic purposes to lift and reshape the breast tissue, is almost universally considered cosmetic and is not covered by health insurance. Patients should expect to pay for the lift out-of-pocket, as it is classified as an elective procedure. In contrast, the explant portion may be covered if it is deemed medically necessary due to specific complications.
Medical necessity is typically established by a confirmed silicone implant rupture or severe capsular contracture (Baker Grade IV). Documentation of symptoms related to Breast Implant Illness (BII) or other chronic issues may also support a claim, though coverage for these is less consistent and dependent on the specific policy. Surgeons use CPT codes for the explant and capsulectomy (e.g., 19328 for removal and 19330 for capsulectomy) to submit a claim for pre-authorization. For the cosmetic portion, patients frequently turn to financing options, including specialized medical credit cards or payment plans offered through the surgical practice to manage the non-covered expense.