Two of the most frequent questions we hear is 1) whether a patient can afford their breast surgery and 2) if the breast augmentation and/or breast lift will truly be worth it. When it comes to breast surgery, only you can determine the answers to both of those questions, but we can provide you with a little more information and guidance that might help you.
Top Reasons for Breast Augmentation
Breast implants and breast lift surgery are used in the breast augmentation procedure. A patient can choose to just get breast implants, but often will also opt for a breast lift in conjunction with the implants. This is because, as we age, breasts can begin to sag and appear deflated, especially after pregnancy and breastfeeding. Breast implants and a breast lift can restore the breasts to a more youthful, pre-motherhood appearance. Breast surgery can also be performed for breast reconstruction following a mastectomy. Besides reconstruction after breast cancer or as part of a “mommy makeover”, some of the many reasons you might have for wanting to augment your breasts can include:
- You simply want larger breasts
- Your breasts are asymmetrical or misshapen from a congenital defect
- You want your breasts to be rounder or fuller
- You have recently lost a lot of weight and need to restore the appearance of your breasts
Deciding to Have Breast Surgery
Deciding that you want to have breast surgery is an extremely personal decision that you should not come to lightly. Here are some important considerations when thinking about having a breast procedure done:
- Discuss your decision with close family and friends. They may be able to ask you questions and get you to think about your expectations in a realistic way.
- Discuss your concerns, expectations and questions with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is highly experienced and who will take time to fully explore all of your reasons and options.
- Think about how you would be able to pay for the procedure. Most insurance plans do not cover cosmetic procedures, but will cover breast reconstruction after cancer and other medically necessary breast surgeries.
Breast Surgery Costs
Your surgeon can provide a total cost estimate for your breast surgery. This should include all of the costs of your surgery and should be disclosed to you before any treatment is begun. If you decide to go ahead with the procedure, you should ensure that your surgeon is highly skilled, with a vast amount of experience in performing the type of breast surgery you want. You want to be sure that your surgery will be performed correctly, with minimal scarring and the most natural-looking results. Dr. Phillip Chang of Aesthetica Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center (Leesburg, VA) is often sought out not just for initial breast procedures, but also to revise breast surgeries that other surgeons have performed.
Paying For Breast Augmentation
Patients have a variety of methods at their disposal to afford breast augmentation procedures, if they so desire. For example, many patients simply begin saving money in a special account. Patient financing programs and payment plans are also an affordable option. Be sure to inquire about interest rates and fees, as well as the time periods to pay the balance. Credit cards can also be of help, especially if you have a card (or a couple of cards) with low interest rates and high credit limits. If your credit is good, and/or if you have collateral (such as a car or a home), you may also be able to secure a personal loan at a fairly low interest rate.
In the end, only you can determine the best way to pay for your breast surgery, and if the cost of the surgery is worth the result you could achieve. Talking to a board-certified plastic surgeon will give you plenty of information to help you arrive at your decision. Call Dr. Phillip Chang at Aesthetica for a consultation today.
