Average price of breast reduction in Australia?

Question

I'm looking for some ballpark figures for the price of a breast reduction in Australia, particularly NSW/ACT. I've seen figures from $5000- $12,000- which is a huge range. Obviously I am after an amazing plastic surgeon not a cheap one but I don't want to be overcharged so I'm interested in opinions of how much is reasonable to pay. Thankyou

Mark Baldwin, MBBS · Answer

I think you're seeing such a wide range because you're seeing what a breast reduction has cost women who are fully insured (maybe 5-7,000) and also women who have no private health insurance who have paid the entire amount themselves (10-12,000).
It can also be confusing because some practices will quote an 'all inclusive' amount covering surgeon, anaesthetist and hospital fees, and some will initially quote just the surgeon's fee alone. 
Amazing plastic surgeons, unfortunately, cannot be picked based on how amazing their fees are. At all. Nor from their websites, marketing, social media, realself profile etc. Fortunately, they can often be picked by visiting them in person, asking them nitty gritty questions, and insisting on looking at only before and afters of patients similar in size/weight/shape/goals to yourself. You can also ask around, your GP, friends, family etc. who have no hidden agenda in who they recommend. It's a lot more work for you, but it's worth it. 
Good luck, Mark.

Ellis Choy, FRACS(Plast) · Answer

Hi there,
The cost associated with breast reduction will always cover the Surgeon's fee, Anaesthetist's fee, Hospital fee and any ancillary fees such as assistant's fee, garments fee etc depending on individual practice arrangement and fee structures.
The overall cost will also be influenced by your private health insurance status which can potentially cover the majority of the hospital fee and some rebatable amount for both your surgeon's and anaesthetist's fee. Obviously a self-funded rate will entail a more "out of pocket" expense.
Based on the outline of associated costs involved as described above, our price guide for breast reduction can range from $9000 to $13000 "out of pocket" depending on various factors explained above.
Hope this clarifies things a bit better for you.
Best wishes
Ellis Choy

Damien Grinsell MBBS, FRACS (Plast) · Answer

Hi. All breast reductions are similar but not exactly the same. The resultant scars can be minimal scar reductions or the standard anchor scar pattern which is used rarely in my practice. Total costs will vary between $10-15 thousand out of pocket if you are uninsured. If your private insurance covers the item number 45520 then the costs will be about half this. If you post pictures I can let you know which incision is appropriate for you. CheersDamien

Jaime S. Schwartz, MD, FACS · Answer

I appreciate your question.

Cost varies by geographic location, surgeon expertise, OR time, anesthesia, length of procedure etc.  I would recommend that you go to The American Society of Plastic Surgery website and look for a list of board certified plastic surgeons in your area.  You can call their offices in advance and ask for quotes prior to scheduling consultations.

The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.

Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery.

Best of luck!

Dr. Schwartz

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Director-Beverly Hills Breast and Body Institute

#RealSelf100Surgeon

Leo Kim, FRACS(Plast), MS(Plast), MBBS(Hons) · Answer

The total cost you're up for after you get some money back from Medicare and private health insurance is what you're interested in. It is confusing because the price quoted depends on different things (surgeon's fee, hospital fee etc) but mainly depends on 2 circumstances. Remember in both scenarios you're getting some money back from Medicare and the following figures are what it ultimately costs you.
1) You have no private health insurance but self funded (meaning you saved up money for it rather than paying years of high insurance premiums for the operation you need), done at a private hospital- you would pay for the surgeon+assistant+anaethetist+hospital facility and the ball park figure after you get some money back from Medicare is $9000-$14,000.
2) You have top private health insurance that will cover all hospital cost but you're still out of pocket for the surgeon+assistant+anaesthetist and the ball park figure after you get some money back from Medicare is $6000-$11,000.
You can see that the fee varies quite a lot because of the hospital facility cost- this again changes whether you go home on the day of surgery or you stay one night (cost of overnight stay at a private hospital is approximately $1000 a night). This hospital cost of course is an estimate, because the hospital will charge more for a longer operation and depends on what needs to be done this cost could go up if you don't have private health insurance that covers it. So the cost to you not only changes depending on how much the surgeon charges but also what you need done and how much the hospital will charge you for your surgery if you are self funded.
Wish you the best in your journey.
Dr Leo Kim, Specialist Plastic Surgeon in Sydney

Amira Sanki, MBBS Hons, FRACS, PhD · Answer

Hi Luda, you're right, there is a huge range for prices for breast reduction surgery in Sydney, even within a single surgeon's practice. It is near impossible to explain the nuances of this over the phone, which is why many surgeons do not publish or give their prices over the phone. The cost of surgery includes the following
1. The surgeon's fee
2. The anaesthetist's fee
3. The surgical assistant's fee
4. The hospital fee which is in turn varies according to how many days you spend in hospital
The hospital fee (usually including 1 night stay) in accredited (safest), high quality, "big" hospitals is about $4000- $7000. This fee is COVERED (paid for) by private health insurance, but you might still have to pay an excess between $0- $750. The waitlist to use private health insurance is usually one year.
The remaining fees are charge on an hourly basis. A "big breast reduction" e.g. female over 80kg with expectation of removing more than 1kg breast tissue, will take close to 4 hours. A "small" breast reduction e.g. Female less than 80kg with expectation of removing 500g total breast tissue will take 2 hours. While the hourly rate for me, my assistant and the anaesthetist is in total $2700, you will also get back about $1350 if insured for the surgical fee, and then also some more money back for the anaesthetist's fee. The amount of money returned to you AFTER the procedure is also less if you are uninsured. The money does not return to you until you have had the procedure and your receipts have been processed by the health fund and Medicare.
Importantly, Medicare will not cover the cost of private hospitalisation.
A long but thorough answer I hope!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. When it comes to cost of surgery, there may be many “variables” involved. The specific surgeon's credentials/experience level (or lack thereof), the specific geographic area you are looking at, the different operations available, the location of the procedure ( quality of surgery facility), type/quality of anesthesia provider,  type of breast implants… are some of the potential variables involved.

In regards to outcome of the planned procedure, more important than costs of the procedures will be careful selection of your plastic surgeon.

I would also suggest that you do not base your selection of plastic surgeon primarily on costs of surgery; keep in mind that revisionary surgery may be more costly in many ways.  I hope this, and the attached link/video, helps.

Best wishes.

Peter Callan, MBBS, FRACS, MBA · Answer

Hi there.Make sure you are being quoted for surgeon, anaesthetist and hospital, as well as any additional costs such as recovery bras, then you will find the costs don't vary as much. See a specialist plastic surgeon, and your total cost will usually be between $9,000 and $14000. See examples of their work and it should be easier to compare.Then you need to take into account Medicare and health fund rebates if these apply. Your surgeon will help you with this.Our costs are about $11,000 all inclusive, under $10,000 when Medicare rebates are taken into account, and around $6,000 if health insurance rebates are applicable.I hope this helps

Richard Bloom, MBBS (Hons), FRACS · Answer

Hi there Luda96,Our practice has simplified this question for our patients.The cost for a breast reduction is $10,000 inclusive of hospital, anaesthetist and surgeon.If you have health insurance then you will get some back from your health fund and medicare. If you do not have private health insurance then you may get a small amount back from medicare.I hope that is helpful for you.My staff would be happy to arrange an initial Skype consultation for you if you wish.Best wishesRichard

Naveen Somia, MBBS, PhD, FRACS · Answer

Dear luda96There are 3 components to the cost of Breast Reduction Surgery.Surgeons Fee, Anaesthetist Fee and Hospital Fee.If you are in a Private Health Fund and your policy covers Breast Reduction Surgery ( Item no 45520, 45520)then a significant portion of your hospital cost and a small part of your surgical and anaesthetic fee will be covered by your health fund and medicare. This will leave you with a 'out of pocket' cost, that will be in the range that you have mentioned. Each Plastic Surgeon will have different fees but I expect that you will find a few who would have middle of the range fee. You may have to call around.Best wishes

Average price of breast reduction in Australia?

Answers (10)

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