Understanding surgery costs

The total cost of any surgical procedure includes several separate components, each billed independently. Understanding how these fit together helps you compare quotes accurately and avoid surprises.

Surgeon’s fee

Covers the operation itself, pre-operative planning and consultations, and post-operative follow-up care. The complexity of the procedure, the technique used, and whether multiple areas are treated all influence this fee.

Anaesthetist’s fee

A specialist anaesthetist administers and monitors your anaesthetic throughout the operation. Their fee is separate from the surgeon’s and varies with the length and complexity of the procedure.

Hospital Fees

Covers the use of the operating theatre, nursing care, your hospital stay, medications administered during your admission, and any consumables. An overnight stay costs more than a day procedure, and a multi-night stay more again.

Implants, garments and materials

Where applicable — for example, breast implants, compression garments, or surgical materials — these are itemised separately or purchased directly by the patient.

Follow-up care

Standard post-operative reviews are generally included in the surgeon’s fee. Additional procedures, treatments for complications, or extended follow-up beyond the usual 6 week period may incur further costs.

Why costs vary

No two patients are the same, and no two procedures are identical. Costs vary with:

• The specific procedure and the technique required
• Whether multiple procedures are combined in one operation
• The length of the operation and the hospital stay
• Whether an overnight stay or multi-night admission is needed
• The type and cost of any implants or materials
• Whether the procedure is cosmetic or reconstructive, which affects Medicare eligibility

This is why a meaningful quote can only be provided after a consultation, once Dr. Anavekar has examined you, discussed the appropriate approach, and planned the surgery.

What your quote includes

You will receive a detailed written quote before committing to surgery, as part of the informed financial consent process.

This quote from our clinic will set out:

• The surgeon’s fee
• Information on the estimated anaesthetist’s fee
• The cost of any implants, garments or materials
• Any applicable Medicare rebates and the expected out-of-pocket after rebates

We will then request a quote from the hospital, if applicable, and they will provide this quote to you so you understand the estimated hospital fees.

You are encouraged to ask questions about any item in the quote. There should be no uncertainty about what you will pay before you consent to proceed.

Cosmetic vs reconstructive — and why it matters for cost

Whether a procedure is classified as cosmetic or reconstructive fundamentally affects the cost to you.

Cosmetic surgery — performed to change appearance where there is no underlying medical indication — does not attract a Medicare rebate, and private health insurance generally does not contribute. The full cost is out-of-pocket.

Reconstructive surgery — performed to restore function, correct a deformity, or treat a medical condition — may attract a Medicare item number. Where an item number applies, Medicare provides a rebate, and private health insurance may contribute to hospital costs, depending on your level of cover and waiting periods.

Some procedures can be either, depending on the clinical circumstances. Breast reduction, abdominoplasty, rhinoplasty and eyelid surgery all have both cosmetic and reconstructive pathways. Which applies to you is assessed individually at consultation.

For a full explanation of Medicare eligibility and how health funds work with surgical procedures, see our dedicated page.

The consultation fee

An initial consultation fee applies and is as follows:

• Up to 15 minutes — $250 ($210 for pensioners and Health Care Card holders)
• 15–30 minutes — $300

You will receive a Medicare rebate of $88.40 directly to your bank account. We submit your Medicare claim after the consultation, and this normally takes 24–48 hours to appear.

Where you have a valid GP or specialist referral, a Medicare rebate is available for the consultation itself — regardless of whether the eventual surgery is cosmetic or reconstructive.

Bring your referral to your first appointment. Without one, the full consultation fee applies and you will not receive a Medicare rebate.

Questions about fees

If you have questions about the cost of a specific procedure, the best step is to contact the practice. We will try to provide you a general range of fees that a patient could expect for our key procedures.