Breast Implant Surgery: Financing Options

The body looking back at you in the mirror is not the one you remember or the one you wanted. Whether you've lost the voluptuous curves and cleavage or you never had them to begin with, you've decided it is time for a change. There's no reason why you can't have fuller breasts that make you feel good about yourself. Well, maybe one - money.

For all the good breast implants can do for a woman's self-esteem, they can really hurt the wallet. For the entire breast enhancement procedure, including the implants, anesthesia, hospital fees, etc., the cost averages about $7,000. Depending on where you live and the kind of surgeons in your area, you could end up paying as little as $5,000 or as much as $10,000. That's a lot of cash for anyone! So, what are your options when it comes to paying for breast enhancement surgery?

* Savings: If increasing your bust size isn't an urgent desire, you can set aside funds until you've raised enough to pay for the procedure, or at least part of it. This of course, is the best way to go because you pay up-front and it's over and done with. No interest fees or monthly payments to worry about.

* Bank Loans: If it isn't realistic to hope that you can wait long enough until you've saved up that much money, getting a bank loan to finance the procedure is an option. Many financial institutions now have specialized loans that cover cosmetic procedures. The key is to shop around and get the best rate before committing to any one bank. If your bank doesn't offer these specialized loans, there are also personal loans and lines of credit you could apply for to pay for the procedure.

* Clinic Payment Plan: Many cosmetic surgery clinics also offer their own financing and payment plan options. Again, compare what they offer to the loan you have independently researched. Go with the best rate and terms and conditions.

* Insurance: For some breast augmentation procedures, insurance will cover all or a portion of the cost. Check with your insurance provider if the implants are part of reconstructive surgery. For breast cancer patients who've had a mastectomy, breast implants are often a part of the recovery and healing process.

Another candidate for an insurance-covered procedure is someone who has been disfigured in an accident or from a birth defect. If the enlargement surgery is simply for cosmetic reasons, insurance will not pay. If you have any doubts, it never hurts to check.

When you are comparing prices of surgery in your area, don't go with the bargain basement price or the most expensive. This is surgery and you don't want to go in with a coupon, right? Its possible that the cheaper doctor may be also the better surgeon. So do your homework. Talk to former patients and see what they have to say. Make sure the plastic surgeon is board certified and licensed. Even better, find out if he specializes in breast augmentation. At the very least, find out how many he has done and look at before and after photos.

Weigh all your breast surgery financing options and choose the best one for your situation. Breast implants are supposed to make you feel better about yourself and improve your confidence. If you are constantly worrying about money as a result, well then was it really worth it? Be smart about your financing so you can enjoy the results.