There are exactly two published national figures for a breast augmentation in the United States and they describe two different operations. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons gives an average cost of breast augmentation with implants of $4,875 and an average cost of breast augmentation with fat grafting of $5,719. Both are surgeon fees, and the source states that neither includes anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses.
Ask providers for a written price
Two operations, two averages, one word
The implant operation places a device. The fat grafting operation harvests fat by liposuction and transfers it. They produce different results, they suit different patients, and the fat one is the more expensive of the two by the published averages, which is the opposite of what most people guess. Anyone comparing quotes needs to know which of the two each quote is for before the numbers mean anything.
What sits outside both figures
Anesthesia fees, hospital or surgical facility costs, medical tests, post-surgery garments and prescriptions for medication. Breast augmentation is usually a general anesthetic in a full theatre, so those lines are substantial rather than incidental, and a practice quoting one number for the operation is almost certainly including them. That is the comparison patients most often get wrong.
Why the US figure is the one worth anchoring on
This hub records US published prices because the US price transparency regime is what makes them readable at all. Figures quoted in other markets belong to other regulatory and cost structures, and converting them is not the same as comparing them. Where a US patient really is pricing surgery abroad, that is a medical travel comparison and this record treats it as its own question rather than as a discount on this one.
Other questions people ask
How much is a boob job in the US?
The ASPS average is $4,875 for breast augmentation with implants and $5,719 with fat grafting, both surgeon fees excluding anesthesia, facility and related expenses.
Why is the fat version more expensive?
Because it includes a liposuction harvest as well as the transfer, which makes it a longer operation.
Is that the total I will pay?
No. Anesthesia, facility, tests, garments and prescriptions sit outside the published averages and are usually substantial on this operation.
Does insurance contribute?
No. Cosmetic breast augmentation is funded by the patient.