In my last blog post, I explained why you won’t find prices for different treatments on our website. However, because the general price ranges for the most common plastic surgery procedures in Switzerland are well known, it’s no secret that a breast reduction costs more than a breast augmentation.

At first glance, this might seem contradictory. In everyday life, we expect more to cost more and less to cost less. So why is a breast reduction more costly than a breast augmentation? There are three main reasons.

First: A breast reduction is a more demanding procedure than a breast augmentation.

In a breast augmentation, I make an incision in the breast fold or around the areola. I then create a pocket in which I place the implant. In a breast reduction, I need to open the breast and carefully remove excess tissue. The remaining tissue must then be reconstructed in a way that ensures both medical integrity and an aesthetically pleasing result.

Even more than in a breast augmentation, I must ensure that nipple sensitivity and blood circulation are preserved. Compared to an augmentation, a breast reduction requires more surgical craftsmanship and creativity.

Second: It takes longer. A breast augmentation typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, whereas a breast reduction takes two to two and a half hours.

Additionally, a breast reduction requires more extensive consultations. I need to fully understand my patient’s wishes and determine whether the desired outcome is medically feasible and aesthetically appropriate. Will the newly reduced breasts suit the patient’s body? Can I achieve the best result with the remaining breast tissue? These are crucial questions that require careful planning and discussion.

Third: It may sound paradoxical, but a breast reduction is a far more invasive procedure than a breast augmentation.

While a breast augmentation is – simply put – a process of making an incision, inserting an implant, and closing the incision, a breast reduction requires precise reshaping of the natural breast tissue before closing the incision. This means the body needs more time to heal.

For this reason, breast reductions are performed as inpatient procedures, whereas (most) breast augmentations are done on an outpatient basis.

Once an overnight stay and medical supervision are involved, costs naturally increase – whether the procedure is performed in a hospital or a private clinic with overnight facilities.

For every procedure I perform, I bear a great responsibility – for both the physical and psychological well-being of my patients. Some procedures, however, are significantly more demanding than others, and breast reductions are among them.

Women often feel deeply connected to their breasts. That’s why, when performing breast reductions, I do everything in my power to ensure that the result makes a big impact – even if the breasts themselves are smaller.

What’s the one question that’s been on your mind? Write us a message and we might provide the answer in one of our next blog posts.

Dr. med. Borut Banič

Board-certified Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery (FMH)
Fellow of The European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (FEBOPRAS)