As discussed in our introductory article on breast augmentation cost, pinning down a number that represents the cost of breast augmentation or breast implant surgery isn’t as simple as quoting a price for the actual surgery itself. There are continuing costs that must be met, and are not usually covered by health insurance companies, in order to follow the FDA safety recommendations related to silicone breast implants. These recommendations are in place as a means towards identifying the stability or leakage of the implant in the woman’s breast.
In this article, the breast augmentation costs we’re looking at are specifically related to one of two types of breast implants used today. In this case, the breast prosthesis in question is the silicone-filled implant. Some background on the silicone implant will clarify why this is the case.
Breast implants do not last forever; all of them break down at some point. In the case of saline filled implants, the saline is said to harmlessly be absorbed by the body. Additionally, when a saline implant ruptures or breaks, the breast nearly immediately reacts in a change in size or shape. This is similar to when a balloon deflates – the air leaks out quickly, and the balloon contracts. A saline breast implant will react much the same way when it breaks. This allows a woman to notice very quickly that the breast has changed shape and that the implant needs replacing or removal.
However, silicone based breast implants work together. The silicone does not leak out quickly when the implant breaks. In fact, it can leak for years. In that time, the change in a woman’s breast size or shape, as caused by the leakage, is hardly noticeable. This presents a concern for the woman’s health. How is she to know when the implant breaks?
The FDA, and your doctor too, is going to recommend that the use of MRI’s be performed regularly. The MRI can spot a broken implant and then arrangements can be made to address it. FDA recommendations state that a woman receiving silicone filled implants should have an initial MRI 3 years after surgery, and then another MRI every 2 years to check its status.
The cost of these MRI’s are rarely covered by health insurance companies in the United States, leaving the bill to the patient. MRI’s are not cheap. These services can cost between $2,000 and $5,000 per MRI. If a patient is considering breast augmentation, it’s mandatory to factor in these additional costs into the equation and into the decision to receive (silicone) implants.
Furthermore, what if the MRI’s do detect that an implant has ruptured or otherwise needs to be looked at by a doctor? These fees again are rarely going to be covered by insurance and must be paid out of pocket. Considering ALL implants eventually break, these costs must be dealt with one way or another, and can rightly be looked at as part of the price of breast augmentation.
Related Posts:
