How much is a breast augmentation?
Breast augmentations in Toronto cost $8,000 to $13,000.
Why do the fees differ so much amongst different clinics?
As a patient, you should understand what is the reason different surgeons charge different fees, and even within any clinic, there is a fee range that is offered.
The cost of a breast augmentation depends on the following factors:
Who is performing your surgery?
- A less experienced surgeon will be less expensive than a more experienced surgeon.
- Scientific reviews have clearly shown that a surgeon who performs a procedure more often is less likely to encounter complications than one who performs a particular procedure less frequently.
- Experience comes after many years of practice. This is something you cannot learn in a textbook or buy at an instructional course. That is why more experienced surgeon costs more; their years of experience mean you are more likely to achieve the result you'd like with a lower risk of complication.
Where is the procedure being performed? Some facility costs are cheaper than others.
- Not all surgical facilities are the same.
In Ontario, all surgical facilities must meet a set of minimum standards set out by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. Newer, more modern facilities, typically strive not just to meet, but to exceed, these requirements.
- What quality of medical supplies are they using?
Why does it matter, you ask? Well for example, just recently we trialed new surgical gloves that a company representative wanted us to try, claiming they were cheaper and just as good as the more expensive brand. We tried them.We found that they had microscopic tears which the more expensive brand did not have. Why is that important? Because when ensuring absolute sterility, such as when performing a breast augmentation and handling breast implants, a micro-tear could be the difference between a complication-free beautiful breast, and an infection of the implant resulting in complete loss of your breast augmentation!
What type of implant are you getting? Prices can vary substantially.
There is no universal approach to breast augmentation. You should work with your surgeon to ensure the type of implant selected aligns with your body and specific goals for the procedure.
- Saline Implants
Saline breast implants are comprised of a smooth silicone outer shell, available in a variety of sizes, which is inserted empty. Once inserted, the shell is filled with a sterile saltwater (saline) solution during surgery, typically resulting in smaller incision sites.
They are less expensive than silicone, despite comparable quality, since they cost less to manufacture. In our practice, we perform roughly half of all breast augmentations using a saline implant.
- Silicone Implants
Silicone breast implants are comprised of a smooth silicone outer shell that comes pre-filled with a soft, medical grade silicone. Silicone gel feels softer than saline, but can pose more of a risk on rupture and come at a higher cost.
- Textured Implants
Textured implants (silicone or saline) are more expensive than their smooth counterparts due to the added cost of creating a textured surface. Note: Not all patients are candidates for textured implants.
- Shaped implants are most expensive.
- ALL implants we use at our clinic are of top quality. Saline implants, while less expensive, are not less safe than a silicone implants, despite the higher price. Its lower cost reflects a lower manufacturing cost.
What technique is used to perform the surgery?
Although most surgeons charge the same fee regardless of what technique they use, in some cases a premium may be charge when special supplies etc are required to achieve the desired results – for example we use a device called Keller funnel which adds several hundred dollars to the cost of the surgery but the purpose of this device is to keep your scars smaller/shorter and to lower the risk of infection and capsular contracture. We believe these benefits are well worth the extra cost to our patients.
What kind of anesthesia will you be getting and who will be doing it?
Like surgeons, different anesthetists charge different fees, and use different anesthetic agents. At the Toronto Cosmetic Surgery Institute our anesthetist come with probably the most extensive cosmetic surgery experience in Toronto. And the medications we use are more expensive than others, but we use them not to have an excuse to charge you more, but to keep you more comfortable, in less pain, and minimal to no nausea and vomiting after surgery.
What else is included with your surgery?
Some are bare bones deals – you get your implants and good bye, while others include a comprehensive pre-surgical assessment, and a thorough post-surgical follow up. (we've heard from other patients about their friends getting their breast augmentation elsewhere, and after the surgery they saw their surgeon only at one week after surgery and never again! We don't do that … at our clinic you are welcome to come back and see us as often as needed, and we have a schedule of follow up visits for a full year after your surgery to ensure you get the best results possible.)
Additional extras that are included At the Toronto Cosmetic Surgery Institute are the following:
- Unlimited pre-op visits to make sure you are ready for your surgery and choose the right implant,
- Unlimited post-op visits to ensure you are healing well and are happy with your results,
- 24/7 access to one of our nurses in case of an emergency,
- Overnight stay at the luxurious Royal York Hotel after surgery. You can certainly go home if you wish, but having the luxury of being wheeled into your luxurious room and relax there overnight after your surgery is priceless. We then see you in your room the following morning to check on you.
- Lifetime warranty on implants,
- Free touch ups should there be a need for any small procedures (limited to 1 year after surgery, any problems arising from failure to follow post-operative instructions are excluded),
- Access to a hospital should you prefer to have your procedure done at a hospital rather than at our private clinic, or should you need to be seen at a hospital for medical reasons.
