Breast Reconstruction
Patients who have lost one or both breasts due to a mastectomy may consider a breast reconstruction cosmetic surgery procedure.
At the time of the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will offer details on various aspects of this procedure, including the estimated costs.
In many cases, the breast reconstruction costs are covered by the patient’s medical insurance plan. The patient should openly discuss the impending surgery beforehand with her insurance provider and get information from the surgeon about the costs and medical documentation necessary.
Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim provides breast reconstruction to patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and surrounding locations.
Cost Factors
The costs involved in breast reconstruction surgery can differ between practices. It can also vary between patients even at the same practice. The following aspects may affect the cost of the breast reconstruction procedure:
Geographical Location of the Practice
The region where the practice is located can have an effect on the cost of the surgery. Practices located in busy urban centers and metropolitan cities will usually have higher real estate and overhead costs, which can slightly increase the cost of the surgery.
Surgeon’s Fee
The surgeon’s fee will depend on their qualifications, experiences, skills, and recognition in the area of breast cosmetic surgery.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the main consideration in choosing a surgeon should be the patient’s personal goals and the surgeon’s qualifications. The fee and other such factors should be a secondary consideration when selecting a suitable surgeon.
Surgical Facility Expenses and Anesthesia
The procedure may be undertaken at an accredited surgical center or a hospital. An anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist will administer the anesthesia. The costs can differ depending on the choice of surgical venue as well as the qualifications and experience of the anesthesia provider.
Type of Technique
In some cases, a breast reconstruction procedure will involve the placement of silicone or saline implants. Other patients may need the flap reconstructive technique. Sometimes, a combination of these methods is used to develop more comprehensive outcomes.
The procedure can be performed along with the mastectomy or at a later date. The manner in which the surgery is undertaken also affects the costs involved.
Insurance
In a majority of cases, the costs related to breast reconstruction surgery will be entirely or partially borne by the insurer.
It is advisable to understand this facet in-depth with the insurance company well in advance of the procedure. In addition, the patient should acquire information on the documents necessary from the surgeon’s office to file the insurance claim.
The insurance claim should ideally be placed before the procedure if the patient has sufficient time to plan for the mastectomy and reconstruction. Patients who cannot get insurance coverage may consider seeking funds from one of the various financing options available, such as loans by medical care finance companies.
Plastic surgeon Dr. Eugene Kim receives patients from Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, CA, and nearby areas for breast reconstruction.
Click here see more plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Eugene Kim on patients in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and surrounding areas or call 310-271-6996 to schedule a consultation.
