How Much Does Breast Implant Removal Cost?

If you’re considering having your breast implants removed, you’re not alone. An increasing number of women are choosing to remove their implants for various reasons, ranging from personal preference to medical concerns. According to The Aesthetic Society statistics, plastic surgeons performed more than 74,300 breast implant removal procedures in 2023, a 40% increase from 2019.

As with any elective procedure, virtually every patient asks about the cost of breast implant removal, which is also called explant surgery. If you live in the Chicago area and search online for “breast implant removal cost near me,” you’ll find a wide range of answers. That’s because the price varies depending on your specific circumstances and the technique used during the surgery. In this blog post, we’ll explain why breast implant removal costs vary and what influences the pricing.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Breast Implant Removal

Several factors can affect the overall cost of your surgery:

• Anesthesiologist fees: Having a board-certified anesthesiologist present during the procedure improves comfort. The fees charged by the anesthesiologist contribute to the total cost.
• Surgical facility fees: The cost will depend on whether the surgeon performs the procedure in the office or a hospital.
• Procedure complexity: The technical difficulty of your specific procedure and the surgeon’s technique influence the cost.
• Procedure duration: This goes hand-in-hand with the technical demands of the procedure. More complex cases typically take longer to complete, which leads to an increased cost.

Even your geographic location can affect the price of your breast implant removal surgery. In large metropolitan areas and areas where breast implant removal is in higher demand, the cost is often higher. In suburban areas like Northbrook, the cost of breast implant removal may be somewhat lower.

Breast Implant Removal Techniques

As a breast surgery specialist and Chief of Plastic Surgery at NorthShore University HealthSystem, I’ve performed breast implant removal using various techniques. When you come in for a consultation, we’ll discuss your options, and I’ll tailor the surgical plan based on your reasons for implant removal and cosmetic goals.

The cost of the procedure depends on the technique used.

Basic Implant Removal

This is the most straightforward and least expensive option, involving the removal of the implants without additional procedures. This can often be done under local anesthesia, which is the most cost-effective option.

Cost: $3,500 to $4,900

Implant Removal with a Breast Lift

For women concerned about sagging after implant removal, a concurrent breast lift will reshape the remaining breast tissue. This option is more expensive due to the additional surgical work involved.

Cost: $9,250 to $11,000

Capsulectomy

During this procedure, I remove both the implant and the surrounding scar tissue capsule. Women with ruptured or scarred-in implants may require this technique. It is more costly due to its complexity.

Cost: $7,000 to $9,000 (When combined with a breast lift, the price is $10,000 to $12,500)

You can read more about the different techniques in this previous blog post.

Choosing a Surgeon for Breast Implant Removal

While cost is an important factor, it shouldn’t be the primary reason for choosing a surgeon for your procedure. The surgeon’s expertise, the quality of care, and the potential results should all play a role in your decision-making process.

Choosing an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Sisco is crucial for ensuring the best possible outcome. You should also consider whether you may want to replace the breast implants in the future and choose a surgeon you trust to perform breast augmentation.

If you would like to discuss your breast implant removal options with Dr. Sisco at our North Shore practice, request a consultation using the online form or call us at (847) 504-2333 to schedule an appointment.