Breast Augmentation, also called Augmentation Mammaplasty, or Breast Implant Surgery if using an implantation device. Which is the surgical procedure to enlarge a woman’s breast using breast implants. In Las Vegas, breast implants are the most common plastic surgery procedure, which is performed by Dr. Lane Smith. Breast Implants are also generally associated as a one of highest satisfaction rates of all cosmetic surgery procedures.
By far the most common way is to place silicone or saline breast implants. However, fat can be transferred from other areas, such as the waist or abdomen, to the breasts for breast enlargement or breast augmentation. Since fat is the patient’s own “natural” tissue, fat transfer to the breast has been termed “Natural Breast Augmentation” or “Natural Breast Implantation”.
How much will Breast Surgery Cost?
During your visit, Dr. Smith will evaluate your needs and work with you to formulate a treatment plan that is best for you. After this is done, Dr. Smith will estimate the amount of operative time it will take to complete your surgery. The length of time a surgery takes, varies with the difficulty and amount of surgery (remember that the length of time the surgery takes is the number one factor in determining the total cost of breast surgeries). For example, a heavier person will take longer to liposuction then some one who is thinner, and the charge for liposuction may be more. If there are several surgeries involved the cost for each surgery will be listed separately as well as a fee for all surgeries if they are done at the same time. Because you have to be put under anesthesia and awoken from anesthesia only once, it usually costs less to do several things at once versus doing each surgery individually.
This time estimate of the surgery or surgeries is given to one of Dr. Smith’s consultants who will then figure out the entire cost of the surgery or surgeries including anesthesia, the operating room, and the materials (such as implants), etc… The consultant will then come in the room and give you the surgical fee.
What is a surgical fee and what does it include?
The surgical fee at the Smith Plastic Surgery includes all the costs of the surgery including the cost of the anesthesia, the anesthesiologist, the operating room and staff, any materials needed (such as implants), Dr. Smith’s fees and four postoperative visits. The surgical fee does not include the cost of your postoperative medications such as your postoperative pain pills and antibiotics, and it does not include the cost of your preoperative lab fees, any scar creams or if necessary the leg squeezers (used to prevent blood clots when necessary.) Usually these are relatively small costs and health insurance will cover these costs. Four postoperative visits are usually more then adequate for normal healing and this is included with your surgery. The postoperative visits are usually scheduled for the day after surgery, the first week after surgery, around 4 to 6 weeks after surgery and the 4 to 6 months after surgery. If a patient elects to have more than 4 postoperative visits, there will be a 50$ charge for each additional visit. This is because some patients are more needy then others and may want excessive visits. This is fine with Dr. Smith, but a small charge after 4 visits will help defray some of the office costs and prevent visits that are truly unnecessary. If it has been more than one year after surgery, the cost of a clinic visit is $100.
The Average cost of breast surgery
Below is a list of the average costs of some of the more common breast surgeries. Please note that these are only estimates and that the exact cost will be given to you at the time of your first consultation. The actual costs will vary depending on the amount, time and difficulty of your surgery. Please note that when we are asked to repair another surgeon’s work the cost of the surgery will often be more because the surgery will take longer and be more difficult. The costs are usually less when one or more surgeries are done at the same time. These are the approximate costs of surgeries at the time of this publication and are subject to change. They may also change depending on what the patient actually needs. Some patients are more difficult than others.
Routine breast augmentation: $4500 to $6000 with saline implants, $5500 to $6800 with silicone implants.
Natural breast augmentation (fat transfer to breasts:) $7500 to $9800
Breast reduction surgery: $7500 to $9500
Breast lift surgery without implants: $6800 to $9200
Breast lift surgery with implants: $8000 to $10,800
Liposuction: $1700 to $3800 for each area. Things that come in pairs are counted as one area; for example, one area would be both outer thighs or both arms. The abdomen would be one area or the submental region would be one area.
You’ve probably calling every plastic surgeon in Las Vegas trying to find the answer to this very popular question. Fortunately, you found Dr. Lane Smith! He believes in giving you as many choices as possible. In doing so, giving you the most information will empower you to make the best decision for yourself. After many years of not allowing silicone implants for breast augmentation, the FDA finally approved silicone implants for breast augmentation. Because of this, you may now choose between Saline or silicone breast implants.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of implants. Silicone breast implants are filled with a silicone gel polymer. This is a thick substance with the consistency of a very thick jello or thin gummy bear. These implants cannot really leak, but they can crack eventually. The silicone implants last longer than the saline implants, and currently have a lifetime warranty. Saline breast implants are filled with I.V. fluid (saline), which is mostly water with a little bit of sodium in it to match your body fluid. These have a 10-year warranty, but an extended warranty can be purchased through the implant company.
Many people think the implants have to be replaced every 10 years but this is not true. The implants only have to be replaced when they rupture or crack. Both implants are expected to last much longer than 10 years. When the saline implant ruptures, it will not harm the patient, the body will simply absorb the water, but the breast will get smaller. When the silicone implant cracks, it should not be harmful either, but replacement is recommended.
The silicone implants have a softer more natural feel to them than the saline implants. They are also less prone to rippling (a slightly wavy appearance to the breast that can occur with the saline implants when leaning over). For most patients, silicone implants are a better implant and are the implants most commonly recommended by Dr. Lane Smith.
The silicone implants cost more than the saline implants. This is because all of the previous lawsuits regarding silicone implants. Interestingly, the lawsuits were claiming the implants caused connective tissue diseases such as Lupus or arthritis. That has now been shown to be completely false, but the attorneys did not return the money to the implant companies they bankrupted, and the thousands of employees who lost their jobs from the lawsuits did not get their jobs back. However, the price of the actual implants jumped 1000%, and this unfortunately must be passed directly on to the patient.
Why choose Silicone Breast Implants?
Chances are that you’ll choose the flexibly gained by choosing silicone breast implants. They tend to be more natural feeling, and looking, implants. One type of silicone breast implants are filled with silicone gel, simply called silicone gel implants. They look and feel a little more natural than saline breast implants. They also tend to have less chance of waviness and last longer.
Patients are often concerned that the silicone implants will rupture and leak. The silicone gel used today is very thick and viscous. This means if the implant ruptures, the implants cannot really leak. They can crack, however it is difficult for the silicone to go anywhere. This is similar to a gummy bear breast implant, which is the other type of silicone breast implant.
If you have any more questions about silicone breast implants, please call 702.838.3755 so we can answer your questions, or schedule your consultation. You can also fill out the form to the right and one of our Patient Coordinators will call you as soon as possible.
