Breast lift, also known as mastopexy, is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure used to lift and shape sagging breasts. During the procedure, excess skin is removed and the remaining breast tissue is reshaped to lift the breasts and make them appear more youthful.
Many women consider having a breast lift to restore firmness and lift following pregnancy, weight loss, or simply aging. Breast lift surgery, like most cosmetic procedures, can be quite expensive, costing between $4,000 and $10,000. Many people wonder whether insurance covers breast lift procedures.
Unfortunately, in most cases, insurance does not cover the cost of breast lift surgery performed solely for cosmetic purposes. Breast lifts are generally considered elective cosmetic procedures by insurance providers. This means that if all you want to do is improve the appearance and lift of your breasts, you will most likely have to pay for the procedure yourself.
However, there are some scenarios where breast lift may be covered by insurance:
- When Breast Lift is Covered by Insurance
- Seeking Coverage for Breast Lift Surgery
- Out-of-Pocket Costs if Insurance Denies Coverage
- Factors That Determine Breast Lift Cost
- What Does a Breast Lift Procedure Involve?
- Should I Get Breast Implants with Lift or Lift Alone?
- How Long is Recovery from Breast Lift Surgery?
- Finding the Right Breast Lift Surgeon
- Breast Lift Results: What to Expect
- Maintaining Your Breast Lift Results
- Is Breast Lift Right for You? Next Steps to Take
- Conclusion
When Breast Lift is Covered by Insurance
- After mastectomy: Insurance often covers breast lift performed on one or both breasts after a mastectomy to treat or prevent breast cancer. This procedure is called mastopexy reconstruction.
- To correct asymmetric breasts: If one breast is significantly smaller or droopier than the other, insurance may cover a lift to make them more symmetrical. This is considered reconstructive, not cosmetic surgery.
- With breast reduction: Insurers sometimes cover breast lift costs when done in conjunction with medically necessary breast reduction surgery to alleviate neck, shoulder or back pain.
- To correct congenital defects: Insurance is more likely to deem breast lift medically necessary if it is to correct severe congenital breast abnormalities.
- After major weight loss: Some insurance companies will cover breast lift after significant weight loss (usually 50+ lbs) has caused severe breast sagging that impacts daily living.
To summarize, insurance typically covers breast lifts only when they are deemed medically necessary and reconstructive, rather than merely cosmetic. This typically includes correcting defects, asymmetry, or functional impairment caused by medical conditions or breast surgery.
Seeking Coverage for Breast Lift Surgery
If you believe your breast lift is medically necessary, you should first consult with your doctor. Request that they provide documentation demonstrating why the procedure in your case is not only cosmetic, but also reconstructive to correct a functional issue caused by a medical condition, asymmetry, or previous breast surgery.
Next, contact your health-insurance provider. Request that they review your doctor’s notes and imaging tests to determine whether they consider the procedure reconstructive and medically necessary in your specific case. Prepare to undergo additional tests or exams to demonstrate functional impairment due to breast sagging.
Obtaining pre-authorization from your insurer for a medically necessary breast lift will take patience and persistence. It may take several appeal letters from you and your doctor to get approval. However, it is possible in some cases with the proper documentation.
Out-of-Pocket Costs if Insurance Denies Coverage
If your insurance company ultimately denies coverage after reviewing all documentation, you’ll be faced with paying the full cost of breast lift surgery yourself. Be aware, this can be anyplace from:
- $4,000 – $6,000 for a less complex lift performed by a plastic surgeon.
- $8,000 – $10,000+ for an extended lift with implants or other custom enhancements.
Many factors affect the final price, including the surgeon’s skills and experience, geographic location, scope of the lift/reshape, and anesthesia fees.
Fortunately, there are options to lower your out-of-pocket costs if insurance won’t cover your breast lift:
- Ask about cash discounts: Many surgeons offer discounts of 10-25% for patients who pay the entire cost without insurance billing.
- Consider financing: Ask your surgeon about financing options. Some have partnerships with lenders offering fixed-rate loans for cosmetic surgery. This allows you to pay over 12-24 months.
- Travel for surgery: Having your breast lift performed in another state or country with lower costs can significantly reduce your expenses. Just be sure to thoroughly vet surgeons.
- Enter contests: Some cosmetic surgery clinics and practices hold contests where the prize is a free procedure, like a breast lift. You may get lucky!
With some savvy planning and budgeting, breast lift can be accessible even if insurance won’t cover it. Focus on finding the most qualified surgeon within your price range. never cut corners on safety just to save money.
Also Read: Why is sutab not covered by insurance
Factors That Determine Breast Lift Cost
While typical costs for breast lift surgery range from $4,000 – $10,000, the final price can vary based on several factors:
The scope of the lift: A minor lift to mildly reshape sagging breasts is less expensive than an extensive lift that requires more repositioning and skin removal. Any lift paired with implants will also increase costs.
Surgeon’s fee: More experienced board-certified plastic surgeons in big cities tend to charge higher fees of $8,000 or more for breast lift surgery. Surgeons in smaller towns or less experienced surgeons often charge $4,000 – $6,000.
Anesthesia fees: General anesthesia and an anesthesia professional’s services will add $1,000 or more to your breast lift costs. A local anesthetic instead may cut down on fees.
Hospital or facility fees: Having your lift performed in a hospital operating room or surgical facility adds facility fees of $700 or more. An in-office procedure avoids these fees.
Geographic location:The cost for the exact same breast lift procedure can vary by thousands depending on where you live. Fees tend to be highest in major metro areas like New York City or Los Angeles.
Extent of skin removal/reshaping: If you only need mild skin removal and lifting, costs stay on the lower end. Significant skin removal, breast reduction or reshaping ups the complexity and price.
Combining multiple procedures: Undergoing additional procedures like a tummy tuck or liposuction at the same time as your breast lift will increase the total costs.
As you consult with surgeons, be sure to get an itemized cost breakdown so you know exactly what is included in the quotes they provide. This will allow you to accurately compare fees and find the most affordable qualified surgeon.
What Does a Breast Lift Procedure Involve?
To understand why breast lift surgery comes with a significant price tag, it helps to know exactly what the procedure entails. Here is a basic overview of what happens during a typical breast lift:
| Breast Lift | Overview |
|---|---|
| Anesthesia | General anesthesia is usually used, putting you into a sleep-like state so you don’t feel any pain. Local anesthesia with sedation is sometime used instead. |
| Incisions | The surgeon makes incisions around the areola and down to the breast crease, and possibly along the crease under the breast. Incision patterns and lengths vary. |
| Reshaping | Underlying breast tissue is lifted and shaped into a youthful, rounded contour. Excess, stretched out skin is removed. |
| Nipple/areola reposition | The nipple and areola are moved up to a natural, upright position and resized if necessary. |
| Closing incisions | Dissolving sutures close the incisions. No bandages or drains are necessary. |
| Seeing results | Initially breasts appear very high and tight right after surgery. As swelling subsides, your enhanced breast shape becomes visible usually around 6-8 weeks. |
So in summary, a breast lift reshapes sagging breasts through intricate incisions, tissue lifting techniques, and skin removal to support and elevate the breasts. The multifaceted process takes skill which is why you want an experienced, reputable surgeon, even if that costs more.
Should I Get Breast Implants with Lift or Lift Alone?
Many women consider combining a breast lift with enlargement using implants. However, implants increase the complexity and cost of surgery. You may actually get better, longer-lasting results from a lift alone in some cases. Here are some factors to help you decide between the two options:
Lift alone pros:
- No foreign object placed in your body
- Shorter, simpler surgery with faster recovery
- Lower risk of capsular contracture or implant rupture
- Often provides adequate restoration of shape and fullness
Lift with implants pros:
- One surgery to increase size and lift position
- Improved upper breast fullness that lift alone may not achieve
- Larger, enhanced breast size many patients desire
- Can correct volume loss that occurs after lift surgery over time
Generally, lifts alone work best for women who:
- Are reasonably satisfied with their current breast size
- Have mild-moderate sagging but still adequate breast volume
- Want to restore shape and perkiness more so than size
- Are concerned about potential implant risks and maintenance
Adding implants at the time of lift is recommended for:
- Significant breast volume loss and deflation
- Patients who wish to go up 1-2 cup sizes
- Cases of severe breast sagging with stretched, thinned tissue
Discuss your unique goals thoroughly with your plastic surgeon. Together you can determine whether implants combined with lift are right for you, or if a lift alone can accomplish your aesthetic goals.
How Long is Recovery from Breast Lift Surgery?
It’s important to prepare for a significant recovery period after your breast lift procedure. You will need to take off work and avoid strenuous activity for several weeks as your breasts heal. Here is an overview of the breast lift recovery timeline:
| breast lift recovery | overview |
|---|---|
| 0 to 5 days | Initial swelling, soreness and fatigue. Arm movement is restricted. |
| 1 to 2 weeks | Stitches removed. Swelling and bruising decreases. Can return to light work. |
| 3 weeks | Moderate physical activity allowed. Swelling continues improving. |
| 6 weeks | Incision lines soften and fade. Most swelling subsides. Cleared for all normal activity. |
| 3 to 6 months | Breasts drop and settle into final lifted, enhanced shape. Scars continue maturing and fading |
Full breast lift recovery takes at least 6 weeks, but the final results are not visible until about 3 months after surgery, as residual swelling resolves. Allow plenty of time to heal before resuming strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.
Proper postoperative care also promotes healing. Wearing a surgical bra around the clock, taking medication as prescribed, attending follow-up appointments, and avoiding sleeping on your stomach can all help you recover safely and comfortably. If you have any concerns during your recovery, do not hesitate to contact your surgeon.
Finding the Right Breast Lift Surgeon
Choosing the right plastic surgeon is absolutely essential for achieving beautiful, safe breast lift results. Here are tips for finding a qualified surgeon you can trust:
- Check certification: Confirm your surgeon is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the gold standard certification. Avoid non-plastic surgeons.
- Verify experience: Ask how many breast lift procedures the surgeon has performed. Choose a surgeon with extensive experience specifically with mastopexy techniques.
- View before/after photos: Reputable surgeons will provide many examples of previous successful lifts. The photos should demonstrate consistently attractive results.
- Read reviews: Consult independent websites like RealSelf that feature candid breast lift surgery reviews by real patients describing their experiences.
- Meet in-person: Schedule a consultation to evaluate not just the surgeon’s skills but their bedside manner and ability to listen to your goals. Make sure you feel comfortable.
- Confirm privileges: The surgeon should have privileges to perform breast lift at an accredited local hospital or surgery center in case a revision or complication arises.
Never choose a surgeon based on price alone. An experienced, respected board-certified plastic surgeon is worth the investment – they have the skills to give you the safest procedure with the most aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting enhancements possible.
Breast Lift Results: What to Expect
What can you realistically expect from your breast lift surgery results? Here’s an overview of the aesthetic improvements a properly performed lift can achieve:
- Elevated, rounded shape: The breasts are lifted into a youthful dome shape, accentuating your natural curves.
- Firmer feel: The breast tissue regains strength and structure. They should feel smoother and fuller to the touch.
- Centered nipples: The nipples are repositioned higher on the breast into a forward-facing orientation.
- Reduced areola size: The areolas are resized and shaped to be more proportional for an enhanced contour.
- Smoother cleavage: Breast lift eliminates sagging and creates an uplifted, enhanced cleavage line.
- Scarring: Though scars fade significantly over 3-6 months, some permanent scarring around the areola and down the breast is unavoidable.
When considering cosmetic surgery, it is critical to set realistic expectations. Breast lifts restore youthful breast contours, but they do not completely prevent aging or sagging. Results usually last 7-10 years before they settle. However, this rejuvenating procedure can significantly improve your breast aesthetics and self-confidence.
Maintaining Your Breast Lift Results
While the results of breast lift surgery are long-lasting, maintaining your enhanced breast contour does require some diligence on your part. Here are tips for preserving your lift results as long as possible:
- Wear supportive bras: Properly fitted bras, ideally with underwire support, are essential for keeping your lifted breasts in position.
- Maintain a stable weight: Weight fluctuations can negatively impact results. Stick close to your weight at the time of surgery.
- Consider future lift revisions: As you continue to age, a touch-up lift around the 10 year mark can help maintain results.
- Moisturize incision scars: Use a moisturizer daily for a year after surgery to keep scars well-hydrated as they mature. Silicone sheeting also reduces scarring.
- Protect from the sun: Use sunscreen daily or avoid sun exposure on your breasts to prevent scars from darkening.
- Keep breast skin healthy: Exfoliate and moisturize your breast skin to keep the skin supple, youthful, and able to support your enhanced breast contour.
Following your surgeon’s postoperative care instructions and self-care tips will go a long way towards preserving your investment in breast lift surgery and enjoying the rejuvenated shape for years to come.
Is Breast Lift Right for You? Next Steps to Take
If you are bothered by breast sagging, deflation and loss of shape after pregnancy, weight changes or aging, breast lift surgery may be able to restore the lifted, youthful contour you desire. Now that you know what to expect in terms of the procedure, recovery, results and costs – here are the next steps to take if you are considering breast lift:
- Have a consultation – Set up in-person consults with board-certified plastic surgeons in your area to discuss your needs and goals. Select a surgeon you trust.
- Get medical clearance – Your surgeon will require clearance from your general doctor that you are healthy enough for breast surgery.
- Secure financing – Apply for financing if needed so you are ready to cover costs once surgery is scheduled.
- Make preparations – Follow your surgeon’s pre-op instructions for items to buy and steps to take to optimize healing.
- Book your surgery- Select and schedule a surgery date so you can start getting excited about your breast transformation!
Breast lift is a major decision but one that can bolster self-confidence and allow you to feel great in your own skin again. With the right surgeon, appropriate expectations, and adequate financial readiness, this rejuvenating procedure can give you beautiful, uplifted breasts that make you look and feel your very best.
Conclusion
In most cases, insurance does not cover breast lift surgery performed solely for cosmetic purposes. However, coverage may be available if the procedure is medically necessary and reconstructive. Consult your doctor and insurer to see if you qualify in special circumstances. Whether you pay out of pocket or use insurance, selecting an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon is critical for achieving the best breast lift results while minimizing the risk of complications.
If you’re bothered by severe breast sagging and loss of shape, this rejuvenating procedure can help you regain a lifted, contoured appearance and confidence.
