by Terrye Tebbetts

Believe it or not, the most commonly asked question we get when we answer the phone is, “How much does Dr. Tebbetts charge for breast augmentation in Dallas?” Really? Is that truly going to be how you make your decision about who operates on you – about who changes your body forever?? No, probably not, but more often than not, it is the first question because in everything else in life, the price of something gives you some indication of its value or worth.

When you ask for the cost of a breast augmentation, you may get get one number – a total. But that total is likely to have at least 4-6 parts. It is very important for you to see and understand the break down of that total. It will give you tremendous insight into what you are paying for and how much! Catagories of Cost:

Surgeon fee – In this scenario what a surgeon charges may give you a peak into what his services are like – how much experience he or she has – and what he or she may be worth, but the price the breast augmentation fee may also simply be a product of the area he works in or what the market is charging for breast augmentation all around the surgeon. If they are cheaper are they worse? But if they charge more than most, does that make them better?

Implant cost – The type, manufacturer, shape, filler and shell type will affect the cost of the implant you buy.

Surgery Center – Surgical facilities vary in expense from a full blown hospital, to an accredited surgery center, to a procedure done in a “office operating room” – the fees will all be so different. The more safety nets, the more people to take care of you (staff) the more expensive it will be.

Anesthesia – From general, to local to twilight and awake anesthesia the fees will vary. You may also be able to see a difference in the fees of an MD and a CRNA provider.

Lab fees – usually some type of lab work will be required before surgery – sometimes it is included in surgery center fee but some times it will be extra.

Appointment fees – Consults, follow ups, photos can also be charged to you seperately and vary greatly in costs.

Pre and post operative Rx’s – Often breast implant surgeons will have a host of meds or vitamins they want you to take before and after surgery – they are rarely included in other fees so be sure to ask about them up front.

Time off to recover – If the breast augmentation procedure requires that you take a week off and during that week you cannot lift your arms or drive or function normally – this recovery will ADD to your cost because you will have to fly in your mother or his mother, or hire a baby sitter or even just calling to see if someone else can help pick up the kids from school – this all adds to your cost of the procedure. If you have to take more time off work, it costs you either in sick days, or vacation time as well. Time – your time – is money and very valuable to you and your family.

Long term risk of revision and reoperation – Now here’s the big one – remember that saying, you get what you pay for? It’s applicable here too. The decisions that you make with your surgeon preoperatively will affect the long term result – how long it lasts and how happy you are with that result! From size and what that size will do to your tissues over time, to the type of implant, to your initial experience – - what may seem like a quick fix or an economically sound decision now, may be your worst nightmare in the future. For example, often women choose saline over silicone breast implants because they are cheaper in the beginning – but they are 4 -5 times more likely to deflate and cause reoperation in the future. When you wake up with a flat tire – that means more surgery, more cost and more time off – - more risk. If you are prepared for what to expect and make decisions based on knowledge instead of excitement or hearsay – you will make better decisions that will last longer.

So when you research the price of breast implants- look past that first number you are given and delve into the particulars. The two categories that will save you money long term and increase your satisfaction with your overall result and experience are the last two – Time off to recover and Long term risk of revision and reoperation. Ask questions about these two categories of your surgeon – ask details about recovery and what their reoperation risk is to get a better idea of what having breast augmentation surgery will really cost you.

About the Author: Terrye Tebbetts is one of the most knowledgeable women in the world about breast implants, with 27 years of experience educating patients and 11 years as a patient herself. For more information about breast implants or breast augmentation Dallas surgeons, please visit www.thebestbreast.com.