Carlow at a glance
- Women in County Carlow
- 31,146CSO Census 2022, 50% of the 61,968 people there
- Largest towns
- CarlowCarlow (27,351), Tullow (5,138), Muinebeag (Bagenalstown) (2,945)
- Aged 25 to 54
- 41%of the county, CSO 2022 (Ireland: 41%)
- To Dublin
- 1 hour 10 minutes86 km by road from Carlow, outside rush hour
- Nearest consultations
- Kilkennyabout 29 minutes by car
- Typical cost
- €6,000 to €8,100a breast lift, the same range as Dublin
Carlow town is under half an hour from Kilkenny, where plastic surgeons see private patients, and a little over an hour from Dublin on the M9.
What it costs
A breast lift costs €6,000 to €8,100, a lift with implants from about €9,500, and a breast reduction with a lift €6,500 to €9,700. Our price guide shows what's included and what moves the price.
Consultations and check-ups from Carlow
Plan on about four trips: the consultation (some surgeons like a second before you decide), the day of the operation and usually one night, a wound check at about 10 days to two weeks, and a review a few months later. From Carlow to Kilkenny that's about 3.9 hours in the car altogether, there and back, with someone else driving after the operation.
You won't drive yourself for two to three weeks, so book the lifts before you book the date.
Choosing a surgeon
Every doctor practising in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council, and only a doctor with specialist registration can practise independently as a specialist. For a breast lift, check that the surgeon is on the Specialist Division in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, using the Medical Council's online register.
Ask where the operation happens, who gives the anaesthetic, how many check-ups are in the price, and who you ring at night if something worries you.
Is it the right time?
A breast lift isn't for you yet if:
- you're still breastfeeding, or stopped in the last six months
- you plan more children
- your weight is still going down or up
- you smoke and won't stop at least six weeks before
Guides
Questions from Carlow
Do I have to go to Dublin for a breast lift from Carlow?
From Carlow, the nearest places where plastic surgeons see private patients are Kilkenny (about 29 minutes by car) and Dublin (1 hour 10 minutes). Dublin itself is about 1 hour 10 minutes by car.
How many trips will I make from Carlow?
Usually about four: the consultation, the operation and a night in hospital, a wound check at about 10 days to two weeks, and a review a few months later.
Is a breast lift cheaper in Carlow?
Not really. Prices around the country sit in the same range, €6,000 to €8,100. The surgeon and the hospital move the price more than the county.
Can some check-ups be closer to home?
Ask before you book. Some reviews need the surgeon in person; others may be possible by video or nearer home.
Who will contact me if I enquire from Carlow?
One clinic, not five. We pass your enquiry to one Irish clinic and they contact you to arrange a consultation. Nothing is booked until you say yes.