A common bilateral mastectomy at surgery center facility in U.S. includes
| |
Units |
Avg Cash price |
Provider |
General surgeon visit provider fee
First time visit
Standard
|
1 |
$125 |
Provider fee to remove breast
Partially with additional removal of underarm lymph nodes
Standard
|
2 |
$2,364 |
Facility |
Surgery center fee to remove breast
Standard
Standard
|
2 |
$5,484 |
Imaging |
Radiology fee for x-ray of breast or mammogram of both breasts
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$206 |
Prescriptions |
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Standard
Standard
|
30 |
$16 |
Anesthesia |
Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure
Level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$202 |
Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure
Per minute
Standard
|
376 |
$752 |
Total average cash price |
|
A common bilateral mastectomy at outpatient hospital facility in U.S. includes
| |
Units |
Avg Cash price |
Provider |
General surgeon visit provider fee
First time visit
Standard
|
1 |
$125 |
Provider fee to remove breast
Partially with additional removal of underarm lymph nodes
Standard
|
2 |
$2,364 |
Facility |
Surgery center fee to remove breast
Standard
Standard
|
2 |
$5,484 |
Imaging |
Radiology fee for x-ray of breast or mammogram of both breasts
Standard
Standard
|
1 |
$206 |
Prescriptions |
HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Standard
Standard
|
30 |
$16 |
Anesthesia |
Anesthesiologist fee to be "put under" for procedure
Level 3
Standard
|
1 |
$202 |
Anesthesiologist time to be "put under" for procedure
Per minute
Standard
|
376 |
$752 |
Total average cash price |
|
“Mastectomy” is a medical term that refers to surgical removal of the breast tissue. This specifically refers to the glands that produce milk within the breasts. These glands surround blood vessels that feed the skin which means that portions of the skin of the chest, including the nipples, also often need to be removed.
A one-sided mastectomy is one of the most common treatments for breast cancer. A bilateral (two-sided) mastectomy is generally done if there is a significant risk of you developing cancer in the other breast, if you desire removal of the other breast for symmetry, or if you have a genetic condition (known as the BRCA gene) that gives you a nearly 60% chance of developing breast cancer at some time in your life.
Bilateral mastectomies are also used for gender affirming surgery, this is the removal of the breasts to create a chest that has a more masculine appearance.
A bilateral mastectomy is performed by a surgeon while you are under general anesthesia (put to sleep). A surgeon will remove a wedge-shaped section of skin, as much of the milk producing glands as possible, and a section of the fat tissue within the breast. This open area created in the breast will then be stitched closed.
There are other more advanced mastectomy methods that may be appropriate in special situations. These are still uncommon and are only appropriate for specific patients. Your surgeon will be able to explain these more advanced options and if they are appropriate for you.
A hospital stay for a mastectomy is generally around 3 days. The majority of the first day is focused on pain control and ensuring that no complications develop from the surgery. The days after this are focused on physical therapy, education about wound care, and setting up follow-up appointments.
You will be discharged from the hospital when your pain is controlled enough to allow you to perform daily tasks and care for your surgical wounds.
Full recovery generally takes several weeks.
- The first week requires significant limitations in your activity, there will be many exercise and movement restrictions to protect the healing wound.
- The second week is focused on follow-up visits and monitoring your recovery. Your surgeon will provide more specific guidelines regarding your recovery at this time.
- The weeks after the second week vary greatly based on your age, health, and the amount of breast tissue removed. Generally 3 - 4 weeks after the surgery you can expect to return to most daily activities except intense exercise.
The first few days after the surgery are the most painful. Since a mastectomy generally only affects the skin and fat tissue, the deep cramping pain that comes from surgery on the muscles is limited. The majority of the pain is often described as a dull sensation in the skin and a sensation of fullness in the chest. This is controlled with several days of prescription oral pain medication, wrapping the chest to decrease swelling, and physical therapy to reduce the risk of chronic pain.
After the first week the pain from the surgery will significantly decrease and can usually be managed with over the counter pain medications alone.
It is nearly impossible to remove 100% of the milk glands within the breast as they are scattered throughout the fat that covers the chest. THis means that there is always a chance of cancer returning. Luckily, this risk is very low.
Many lumps and bumps will develop over the years following a mastectomy as scar tissue from the surgery builds up in the breast. These changes should always be reported to a doctor as they will want to regularly follow-up to ensure they are not appearing or changing at a rate that would suggest a return of cancer.
About the bilateral mastectomy Average Cash Prices
This procedure is most commonly performed at either a surgery center or an outpatient hospital.
Surgery centers, also known as ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), are independent, licensed medical
facilities that are governed by distinct regulatory requirements compared with a hospital. Procedures
performed at an ASCs are often less expensive than when they are performed at an outpatient hospital,
but they typically offer fewer complimentary services, and may not have the full-range of support
services that a hospital provides.
Outpatient facilities are outpatient departments or clinics that may be within or next to a hospital,
but is owned and run by the affiliated hospital. These facilities can perform surgical treatments and
procedures that do not require an overnight stay. Procedures performed at an outpatient hospital are
often more expensive than when they are performed in an ambulatory surgery center, but outpatient
hospitals may offer more complimentary and support services for patients because they are connected to
the hospital system.
