Breast Augmentation: Do Your Implants Come With A Warranty?

One of the biggest risks when undergoing breast augmentation is leaks and ruptures which will require revision surgery. Few women find it easy to afford their primary procedure, let alone another revision and the subsequent income or vacation time lost during the recovery period. Which is why before having surgery, you will want to discuss implant warranties with your cosmetic surgeon. Many implant manufacturers come with a standard limited warranty that can last up to ten years following the primary procedure, with extended options and additional coverage available for a fee.

Most insurance companies will not cover any cosmetic surgery with the exception of reconstruction following a mastectomy. That means if there is an emergency and you urgently require implant revision or replacement, the cost will come down to you. However, insurance companies may cover a portion of the costs for removal alone if there is a complication such as capsular contracture. Some surgeons will perform breast augmentation revisions if they have clearly been in error, but even in these instances only their fee is covered and not the anesthesia or hospital bills, which can still cost several hundred or upwards of a thousand dollars. In light of these financial risks, extended warranties can be a valuable safeguard.

There are only a handful of implant manufacturers that supply products to surgeons in the United States, so warranty information is freely available on the Internet. Implants generally have a standard warranty for anywhere from the first five to ten years for the product alone. Additionally, up to $1,200 for saline and $3,500 for silicone implants is included to offset the costs of the surgery or other related fees. Whether the warranty includes replacement of both implants if only one side was ruptured depends on the manufacturer.

Several implant companies at an additional cost also offer lifetime and extended warranties to the patient. It is important; however, to read the fine print to ensure some of the surgical bills are included. The most expensive part of breast augmentation is not the implants themselves, but anesthesia, the surgeon's fee, and the charge for use of the facilities. If possible, choose a warranty plan that includes coverage of a significant portion of the procedure. Your plastic surgeon will be able to advise you from his personal experience with previous patients if extensions are indeed worth the cost.

Regardless of warranties, any woman undergoing breast augmentation should have an emergency plan in place in case of a leak or another complication that may arise. Whether it is as simple as a credit card with a healthy available balance, a small nest egg, or private insurance that covers revision or removal, implants are a long-term investment. If you are in the middle of an emergency and can't get funds for the procedure, many surgeons will work with patients to come up with an affordable payment plan. There are also financing companies that can help assist with securing resources in order to undergo surgery.