One of the most common queries we receive, about all procedures, is related to price. This makes sense, especially for those who are new to the world of cosmetic surgery and have no benchmark or ballpark figures to work with. Breast Reduction, in particular, can be confusing for patients, especially when considering the various options and factors related to the procedure.

What is the cost of breast reduction surgery in Sydney?

An all-inclusive breast reduction surgery package in Sydney, including all out-of-pocket costs and hospital fees, can cost anywhere from $12,000 – $20,000 for insured patients, or $18,000 – $30,000 for uninsured patients. Hospital fees may include accommodation, theatre, or medical devices. Your private health insurer will cover all or most of this cost, depending on your level of insurance. You may have to pay an excess or co-payment.

As you are likely reading this article because you are considering breast reduction surgery, we strongly recommend booking a consultation with Dr. Yunaev to not only obtain an exact quote, but also to ensure that this procedure will achieve your desired results.

Breakdown of the costs involved

The prices involved in a breast reduction procedure can vary for reasons other than the particular elements of the surgery. The qualifications of your surgeon, materials, and pre-and post-operative care can all play a factor.

Surgeon’s fee

This is the cost for the skill and expertise of the surgeon you choose. Their fees start from $5,000 to $20,000 or more.

Hospital or surgical facility costs

The facilities where your surgery will take place charge for their use. This includes everything from the operating room to the recovery area and the medical devices for the surgery. The breast reduction surgery cost depends on the extent of your procedure and whether you will require a hospital stay afterwards, but it’s typically around $5,000 – $7,000.

Anaesthesia fees

These fees cover the cost of the medication that ensures you remain comfortable and pain-free during the procedure, as well as the anaesthetist’s time for administering and monitoring your anaesthesia. Anaesthetists charge by “units” of time, ranging from $500 to $1000 per hour. 

Post-surgery medications and garments

Post-operative recovery often requires medications for pain management and to prevent infection after the breast reduction procedure, as well as specialised garments to support and compress the surgery area for faster healing.

Other fees

Your breast reduction surgery may also involve other tests to ensure to confirm your suitability for the procedure. This may include blood work, mammograms, or other scans.

If this is the case, other costs you should consider are pathology fees, radiology imaging and other doctors’ fees.

What factors can change the cost of breast reduction surgery?

The surgeon’s experience and reputation

Highly experienced surgeons or those with a specialised focus on breast reduction may charge more for their services due to their expertise and the demand for their skills. For example, a specialist breast surgeon may have a higher fee than a general plastic surgeon. If the surgeon underwent specialist surgery training or learnt specialised techniques, this may also have an effect on their rates. Dr Michael Yunaev is a Specialist Breast and General Surgeon and is the Principal Doctor at Breast & Body Clinic. Learn more about Dr Michael Yunaev’s experience here, or book a consultation now.

The type of procedure used

The surgical technique selected for your breast reduction can impact the cost. For instance, the anchor technique, due to its complexity and the extensive reshaping involved, may be more costly than other procedures. On the other hand, the vertical breast reduction procedure, also known as the “lollipop” technique, is less invasive than the anchor technique and, therefore, less expensive.

Additional procedures also affect the cost of breast reduction surgery. Free nipple graft, for example, used in more significant reductions where the nipple must be removed and reattached, can be more complex and thus may increase the price. When liposuction is needed, it can also affect the cost depending on the extent of fat removal required.

Breast size

Another significant factor that affects cost is your breast size. Larger breasts often require more time to reduce and reshape effectively. The complexity of the procedure increases with the amount of tissue that needs to be removed and repositioned, which can lead to longer surgery times and higher costs.

The surgical plan for larger breasts may also be more complex because it requires customised techniques to achieve a proportional and aesthetically pleasing result. This customisation affects the surgeon’s fee, as more planning and operative time may be necessary.

Lastly, larger reductions mean more time in the operating room, which can increase the cost of hospital fees. Plus, large breast surgeries may necessitate more extensive use of medical supplies and, in some cases, extended hospital stay for recovery, all of which contribute to the overall cost.

The geographic location of the office

The cost of living where you live can also affect the price. The average specialist fees in South Australia are around $5,600. In contrast, the average specialist fees in New South Wales are around $11,000.

Will Medicare cover my breast reduction?

Medicare provides coverage for breast reduction procedures when they are essential for medical reasons. Medical necessity is established when the procedure is required to alleviate significant health issues that arise due to the size of your breasts, such as:

• Back pain 
• Neck pain
• Shoulder discomfort 
• Headaches (particularly migraines) 
• Breast hypertrophy (increase in density and weight of the breasts) 
• Shortness of breath 
• Numbness in the arms and fingers 
• Recurring skin infections and irritations 
• Inability to participate in exercise or sporting activities 
• Self-esteem and mental health issues caused by breast size 

MBS item codes for breast reduction

45060 

This Medicare item is a single-stage correction of developmental breast abnormality. You need this surgery if:

• You have symmetrical tubular breasts and require a procedure to lift both breasts called bilateral mastopexy, or
• Your breast sizes are uneven, with a volume difference of at least 20% between normally shaped breasts or 10% in the case of tubular breasts or breasts with abnormally high inframammary folds (IMF). 

The surgery will involve working on both breasts and may include the insertion of implants, a breast lift or breast reduction.

45061

This is the first stage of a two-part surgery to correct developmental breast abnormalities. You need this if one of your breasts is significantly larger than the other. 

Your surgeon will operate on both breasts during this stage, possibly inserting one or more tissue expanders to stretch the skin and tissue, performing mastopexy or reduction mammaplasty.

45062 

This is the second stage of the two-part correction mentioned above. During this second surgery, your surgeon will replace any tissue expanders inserted in the first stage. These implants must have at least a 10% volume difference to correct the size difference between the breasts. The surgery may also include a breast lift or breast reduction (reduction mammaplasty) to ensure a proportional breast shape.

Your surgeon will advise you whether you need a single-stage or two-stage breast reduction surgery.

45520 

This is a unilateral breast reduction surgery, which includes moving the nipple to a new position. This procedure is covered in the context of breast cancer or a developmental abnormality of the breast.

45522

This medical service code is used when you need breast reduction surgery in one breast without any repositioning of the nipple and without the addition of implants or other prosthetic material. It’s also not for treating gynaecomastia, an overdevelopment or enlargement of the breast tissue in men or boys.

45523

This code is used for bilateral breast reduction surgery if you have large breasts that are causing neck or shoulder pain, and the surgery will adjust the position of the nipples without adding any implants.

Does Private Health Insurance Cover Breast Reduction in Australia?

Yes, your private health fund will cover the procedure if your breast reduction surgery is required for medical reasons. Typically, this type of procedure is included in the more comprehensive health plans, such as top or mid-level policies, or within silver or gold hospital cover tiers. Please note that there can be out-of-pocket costs. Ask your private health insurer to be sure.

Meet with Dr Yunaev

If you’re ready to discuss your options and take the first step towards a transformative experience, book a consultation with Dr Michael Yunaev today to obtain the precise surgical quote for your procedure, that is carefully tailored to your needs.

Dr Yunaev is an experienced surgeon specialising in aesthetic breast and body surgery, general surgery, and the treatment of breast cancer and benign breast conditions.

This deep knowledge of breast disease processes and treatments allows him to approach breast reduction surgery with a comprehensive perspective. This means that while performing breast reduction surgery, he is not only considering the aesthetic shape but also the functional and health implications for the patient.

If you are considering this procedure, speak to our friendly team today to receive all of the necessary information to help you make an informed decision. The consultation will not only provide exact costs but also ensure that a breast reduction will create the results you are hoping for. We will assess your situation and goals, and recommend the best path forward to helping you feel more comfortable with your body.