How much is breast reduction surgery without insurance

The average breast reduction surgery cost is $8,450, according to 16,027 reviews on RealSelf.

However, your cost could range as high as $17,600, depending on the specifics of your surgery and whether insurance covers a significant portion of the cost. 

Read on to find out how to get breast reduction covered by insurance, why the price can vary, and whether real breast reduction patients think it’s worth the money.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About a Breast Reduction

How can you get breast reduction covered by insurance?

Breast reduction is covered by insurance and Medicaid in cases where it’s considered medically necessary, not just cosmetic surgery. This means that you have documented medical issues caused by large breasts, such as pain that significantly affects your quality of life and ability to function. 

Your policy should clearly outline criteria for coverage, but symptoms that can support a claim for insurance or Medicaid coverage include:

• back, neck, and/or shoulder pain
• rashes under your breasts
• grooves from your bra straps 

You’ll also need medical documentation that those issues have been resistant to other methods of treatment, which may include: 

• chiropractic care
• dermatologic treatment 
• home remedies, like pain relievers and support bras

If you choose a plastic surgeon who performs a lot of breast reductions, their team should know the details of each insurance carrier’s plans and how to get your coverage approved. 

Related: Is Your Breast Reduction “Medically Necessary”? Here’s How to Prove It to Your Insurance Company.

Dr. Christine Blaine, a plastic surgeon in Huntington, New York, says that “it’s likely you will have some deductible and coinsurance responsibility, but once these are satisfied, your insurance carrier will cover the rest. Consider calling the member telephone number on the back of your insurance card, to learn your in- and out-of-network level benefits. Your plastic surgeon's office can also look into your plan's benefits to give you an idea of what you can expect.”

Having your insurance company pay for your breast reduction gives them some say in the procedure—specifically, how much breast tissue is removed and where the surgery is performed.

You’ll also need to make sure your preferred plastic surgeon is an in-network provider, if you want your insurance to cover your breast reduction costs.

What’s included in the cost of breast reduction surgery?

Especially if you know you’ll be paying out-of-pocket for your procedure, ask your plastic surgeon for a personalized breast reduction cost quote, tailored to the specifics of your treatment plan. 

This total cost should include:

• The consultation fee (which is often applied to the cost of your procedure)
• Pre-op medical tests
• The surgeon’s fee
• Anesthesia fees
• Facility fees for the hospital or surgery center
• Surgical supply fees
• Pre- and post-op appointments

Also ask if you’ll need to budget for prescription medications and any other recovery supplies, like a compression bra to reduce swelling.

What affects the cost of breast reduction surgery?

Your insurance plan’s benefit structure is the biggest factor in how much you’ll pay out of pocket.

Other factors that affect the cost of breast reduction surgery include:

1. Who performs your surgery

Breast reduction is considered to be relatively safe, but there are risks, from asymmetry to difficulty breastfeeding. 

You’ll have the best chance of a safe procedure with a good aesthetic and functional outcome if you choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon—ideally one who specializes in breast surgery and frequently performs this procedure. They will likely cost more than a surgeon with less training and experience, but if you base your choice of surgeon on cost alone, you could end up paying handsomely. A cheap breast reduction becomes much more expensive if complications arise, or you need revision surgery.

2. Their practice location

Surgeons operating in cities with higher rents typically have to charge more than those in rural or suburban areas with lower overhead costs. Generally speaking, you’ll find more competitive pricing in areas that are saturated with plastic surgeons, like Miami, Florida. 

Here’s a sampling of what some plastic surgeons on RealSelf charge: 

• “In my area (Gainesville, Florida), you can expect to pay $5,500-$6,000 for this surgery,” says plastic surgeon Dr. John W. Tyrone
• “The average cost of breast reduction in the area that I practice in is $7,500-$8,500. Our price quotes are inclusive of surgeon's fees, anesthesiologist, surgery center, and all pre- and post-operative appointments,” says Dr. Warren Schutte, a plastic surgeon in Loveland, Colorado.
• “In my practice, I charge $6,500 for a breast reduction and that includes my fee, and all hospital, OR, anesthesia, and post-op fees,” says John W. Gillespie III, a plastic surgeon in Wilmington, Delaware.
• “Our breast reduction also includes breast lift and liposuction of the sides. In our fully accredited plastic surgery center, the cost of breast reduction ranges from $6,500 to $8,500,” says Dr. Stanley Okoro, a plastic surgeon in Marietta, Georgia.
• “At Plastic Surgery Institute of Southeast Texas, the cost for a breast reduction starts at $8,400. This cost includes the surgeon, facility, anesthesia (MD), supplies, and all post-op visits,” says Dr. Leo Lapuerta, a plastic surgeon in Pearland, Texas.

3. Where your surgery is performed

Your surgeon’s own private surgical facility will likely come with a lower facility fee than a hospital. 

However, if insurance is paying for a portion of your procedure, they may dictate where your procedure is performed. 

“Insurance-based procedures are performed in a hospital, generally,” according to Nashville plastic surgeon Dr. Amaka Nwubah, though she provides this caveat: “If a private OR is accredited with insurance, then it can be performed there.”

4. The type of anesthesia you get

Breast reduction surgery takes two to five hours to perform, and it’s typically done with general anesthesia, so you’re fully unconscious during your entire procedure. 

The total cost of your anesthesia comprises the anesthesia provider’s hourly fee and the hospital or facility anesthesia fee, which covers the cost of supplies, medications, and additional staff.

5. Who administers your anesthesia

A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) will have a lower fee than a board-certified anesthesiologist, a medical doctor who administers anesthesia. Plastic surgeons typically choose the type of anesthesia provider they feel most comfortable with.

6. The complexity of your procedure

Your breast size and level of sagginess (also known as ptosis) can affect how long your surgery will take and the type of procedure you need. For example: 

• If you have an F cup you want reduced to a C along with a breast lift, your surgeon will need to remove more excess breast tissue and spend more time creating a pleasing, natural shape. That’s more expensive than if you’re just going from a D to a B cup.
• If you're also concerned about the size of your areolas, you can have nipple and areola reduction surgery at the same time. 
• It may seem counterintuitive, but procedures like small breast implants or fat grafting may be needed to create cleavage, especially if you don’t have firm breast tissue.
• Some women also opt to get liposuction or a full mommy makeover. 

You do save on surgical and anesthesia fees by combining procedures, but keep in mind that any additional cosmetic surgery won't be covered by your health insurance, which could significantly increase your total cost.

Is breast reduction worth the money?

Breast reduction surgery has a 97% Worth It Rating on RealSelf, so the vast majority of the thousands of patients who wrote reviews think their results were worth the investment.

Among those who say it was “Worth It,” many reviewers report that their procedure alleviated their daily aches and pains, made exercising easier and more rewarding, and helped them feel more confident and comfortable in their clothes. “I can actually fit in cute bras and bathing suits,” one reviewer noted. 

Happy patients also reported smooth recoveries and minimal scarring. Some wished that they’d gone even smaller, but still felt their breast reduction was well worth it.

Among those who said it was “Not Worth It,” many were unhappy with their post-op breast shape, nipple placement, or asymmetry. Thick, abnormal scars are a common complaint in these reviews. 

Some reviewers even suffered complications, like infection, poor wound healing, and nipple necrosis.

Can you finance breast reduction surgery?

Yes, plastic surgery financing options like CareCredit can make the cost of breast reduction more manageable. 

Many providers offer their own financing plans. RealSelf can also connect you with vetted lenders.

Where can I find breast reduction surgeons near me?

The best way to get a personalized cost estimate is to have a consultation with at least one board-certified plastic surgeon, though it's always smart to consult with more than one, to compare costs. 

They can also verify that you're a good candidate and explain how to approach the medical documentation for your insurance provider, to help you get coverage for the procedure.

Breast reduction costs in U.S. states

Browse average breast reduction costs and ranges state by state, according to RealSelf member reviews from the past 4 years (as of March 1, 2022).

Breast reduction costs by country

Browse average breast reduction costs and ranges by country, according to RealSelf member reviews from the past 4 years (as of March 1, 2022).