If you’ve been having a devil of a time researching how much gynaecomastia costs in Tasmania and other Australian states, you’re not alone.
Doctors are hesitant to quote prices on their website for a variety of reasons. Some feel it’s impossible to offer even a general quote until they have met with a patient. Other providers want patients to de-emphasise price in their decision-making process and focus on other factors such as a doctor’s expertise.
Costhetics understands both sides of the argument, but we are also sympathetic to men who are dealing with excess breast tissue and just want someone to answer the question, “How much does gynaecomastia cost?” We put our research team to work and here’s what we found…
Total Cost of Gynaecomastia Surgery
To cut to the chase – on average gynaecomastia surgery in Australia costs:
- $6,000 – $11,000 AUD depending on your level of private health insurance and the surgeon you choose.
Now that is the easy answer! The more complex answer is that the cost will vary quite a lot in different locations around Australia, different surgeons and different levels of private hospital cover. So if you have top level hospital cover, you may only need to pay the surgeon’s fees (see table below). If you don’t have insurance, then you’ll need to budget another $2,000 – $4,000 for your hospital and theatre fees.
Keys to Understanding How Much Gynaecomastia Costs
When it comes to gynaecomastia, each man’s surgery is unique and based on his physiology and goals. There are actually two different techniques to reducing a male breast and an experienced, qualified surgeon will recommend one or both:
- Surgical excision of skin
- Liposuction with removal of glandular tissue by direct surgical excision
If a doctor has prescribed gynaecomastia surgery for medical reasons, costs related to hospital care, the anaesthetist and some other fees may be covered by a health fund and Medicare. In the alternative, if the procedure is for cosmetic reasons alone, the patient bears full responsibility for all costs.
Why Are Gynaecomastia Costs So Different?
When speaking with a provider about the price of male breast reduction surgery, many patients are stunned at the wide variation in the quotes they are given. That’s because there are two kinds of quotes:
- Surgeon’s Fee Only
- Total Cost – including surgeon’s fees, compression garments, anaesthetist, possible hospital etc.
Surgeons fees themselves vary dramatically. Why? A surgeon’s fees reflect their training, qualifications, and experience. Less than scrupulous doctors sometimes downplay their limited background in gynaecomastia and quote low prices to trick patients into making an appointment. Once in-rooms, patients are treated to a high-pressure sales tactics, which may be hard to resist (That’s the point!).
Never allow anyone to pressure you when it comes to your health. If you feel you’re being misled or tricked into paying hidden costs, run (do not walk) to the nearest exist. As always, Costhetics reminds you that a price that sounds too good to be true usually is. A trustworthy surgeon will be upfront about their qualifications and the total costs of your procedure.
How Much Does Gynaecomastia Cost in Australia?
Team Costhetics threw it into high gear to analyse surgeon’s fees across the country. We researched online, just like you. We made lots of phone calls, just like you. Then you know what happened? We hit roadblocks, just like you. Doctors and especially practice managers are reluctant to offer “average” costs for a surgery that is anything but average. As you’ll read below there are two very different approaches to getting “man boobs” into shape. The techniques used and other complex factors all play a part in costing out this surgery.
Here is a table of information we gathered about surgeon’s fees:
| New South Wales | Avg. of $5,000 in Sydney |
| Northern Territory | Avg. of $2,750 in NT |
| Queensland | Avg. of $3,500 in Brisbane |
| Victoria | Avg. of $4,750 in Melbourne |
| Western Australia | Avg. of $4,500 in Perth |
RealSelf.com quotes prices of nearly $2,000 more than the ones you see listed above. Why is that? The answer is coming up…
Other Factors in the Cost of Gynaecomastia
A surgeon’s fee represents only a portion of the possible costs for gynaecomastia surgery. When you’re trying to figure out the all-in cost factors beyond the surgeon’s fee, you need to include:
- Location of Practice – As you can see from the chart, how much gynaecomastia costs varies across Australia. This is the result of the wide variation in the cost of doing business from state to state.
- Hospital or Surgical Facility Costs – When gynaecomastia is performed in a hospital setting, the prices are significantly higher than when performed in-rooms. One reason patients (and doctors) may choose hospitals despite the higher cost is the fact that facilities are equipped with personnel and equipment to address any problem that may occur.
- Anaesthetist’s Fee – As with surgeons, anaesthetists charge fees based on their training and experience. (Choice.com has compiled an outstanding article on anaesthetists fees, including out of pocket costs).
- Pathology – while gynaecomastia is defined as benign proliferation of male breast glandular tissue, selective imaging and laboratory testing may be called for to exclude neoplasms (new and abnormal growth of tissue) and endocrinopathies (diseases of the endocrine gland).
- Compression Tops – To help with discomfort and speed up healing, patients may need to purchase special post-surgical clothing.
- Follow-up Appointments
- Medication
When your surgeon quotes you a cost for your male breast reduction procedure, be sure to ask which, if any, of the above items they are including.
Gynaecomastia Is More Common than You Think
In their story “Battling the Boobs,” News.com.au looked at the increase in the numbers of Aussie men choosing to reduce their “man boobs.” It has become one of the most popular forms of cosmetic surgery for men in Australia, according to the President of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. The nearly unavoidable condition is linked to hormone imbalance with decreased testosterone and increased oestrogen (responsible for the development of breast tissue).
It’s a problem that affects men of all ages:
- 60-90% of male babies are both with short-lived gynaecomastia that usually self-corrects
- 30-50% of men develop some form of gynaecomastia during their teen years
- Senior men from 50-70 are the largest group of people to experience a significant increase in breast tissue
Team Costhetics thinks every body is beautiful, but if you would like to make some changes, we’re with you! With the help of a talented surgeon, the shape of things to come may be a change for the better.