DISCLAIMER: The outcomes shown are only relevant for this patient and do not necessarily reflect the results other patients may experience, as results may vary due to many factors including the individual’s genetics, diet and exercise.
What the Gallery Contains
Cases shown in this gallery reflect the range of patients who present for breast reduction surgery — varying degrees of breast size, different starting tissue compositions, and a range of breast shapes and skin characteristics. The gallery includes results from both major breast reduction techniques:
- Vertical (lollipop) pattern — suited to moderate reductions; produces a scar around the areola and vertically down to the breast fold
- Inverted-T (anchor) pattern — used for larger reductions; produces scars around the areola, vertically down to the fold, and horizontally along the fold
Technique selection is guided by the amount of tissue to be removed and the individual’s breast anatomy. Both approaches are performed under general anaesthesia at an accredited private hospital.
Breast Reduction — Functional and Aesthetic Considerations
Breast reduction surgery addresses both physical and aesthetic concerns associated with disproportionately large breasts. The procedure involves removing excess breast tissue, fat, and skin, and repositioning the nipple-areolar complex to a position more appropriate to the reduced breast volume.
Physical symptoms that may prompt a patient to seek breast reduction include back, neck, and shoulder pain; shoulder grooving from bra straps; skin irritation or rashes beneath the breast fold; and difficulty participating in physical activity. These functional considerations are separate from — and often overlap with — aesthetic goals, and both are assessed during consultation.
Where surgery is performed primarily for functional (medical) reasons, it may qualify for a Medicare rebate under item numbers 45523 (bilateral breast reduction) or 45520 (unilateral breast reduction). Eligibility depends on meeting specific clinical criteria. Dr Turner’s team can advise whether your circumstances may qualify at the time of consultation.
Understanding the Timeline of Results
After photos in this gallery are taken at three months or later, once initial swelling has resolved and breast shape has begun to settle. It is worth knowing that the final breast shape after reduction surgery can take up to twelve months to fully develop as swelling continues to resolve and scars mature.
General healing milestones:
- 1–2 weeks: Initial recovery; swelling and bruising expected; most patients managing daily tasks with some assistance
- 4–6 weeks: Return to most daily activity; exercise reintroduced gradually with guidance from Dr Turner
- 3 months: Majority of swelling resolved; breast shape settling
- 6–12 months: Scars continuing to mature; final shape developing; scar management protocols ongoing
Scar management is an important part of the process. Scars on the breast naturally take up to three years to reach their best appearance. Dr Turner’s standard protocol includes silicone scar therapy and laser treatments, introduced progressively after healing.
Sydney Consultations — Bondi Junction and Manly
Dr Turner consults at two Sydney locations:
Bondi Junction — Eastern Suburbs, with surgery performed at Bondi Junction Private Hospital Manly — Suite 504, Level 5, 39 East Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095, with surgery performed at Delmar Private Hospital, Dee Why
Patients also consult from Brisbane, Canberra, Newcastle, and the Gold Coast. All surgery, regardless of where the initial consultation takes place, is performed in Sydney.
The Consultation Process
A GP referral is required before your first consultation with Dr Turner. Under AHPRA regulations that govern cosmetic surgery in Australia, the consultation process involves a minimum of two appointments, a psychological evaluation, and a mandatory cooling-off period before surgery can be scheduled.
During the consultation, Dr Turner will:
- Assess your breast size, shape, skin quality, and nipple position
- Take detailed measurements to guide surgical planning
- Discuss the technique most appropriate to your anatomy and the degree of reduction being considered
- Explain relevant risks and complications in full
- Advise whether your circumstances may meet the criteria for a Medicare rebate
Where a patient is seeking reduction for functional reasons, a GP referral addressing the clinical indication is particularly important for Medicare eligibility purposes.
About Dr Scott J Turner
Dr Scott J Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) who has performed breast reduction surgery in over 1,000 patients. He holds Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Plastic Surgery and is registered with AHPRA (MED0001654827).
Dr Turner consults from Bondi Junction and Manly in Sydney, and from consulting clinics in Brisbane, Canberra, Newcastle, and the Gold Coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the photos in this gallery real patient results?
Yes. Every photograph is from a real patient who underwent breast reduction surgery with Dr Scott J Turner. Images are not digitally altered and were taken under consistent conditions. Each patient provided consent for their photographs to be used for educational purposes.
Can breast reduction qualify for a Medicare rebate?
In some cases, yes. Breast reduction may qualify for a Medicare rebate under item numbers 45523 (bilateral) or 45520 (unilateral) where there is a documented functional indication — such as chronic back, neck, or shoulder pain, or recurrent skin problems — and specific clinical criteria are met. Eligibility is assessed at consultation. Private health insurance may also contribute to hospital and anaesthetic costs where a functional indication exists.
What surgical techniques are used for breast reduction?
Dr Turner uses two primary techniques: the vertical (lollipop) pattern for moderate reductions, and the inverted-T (anchor) pattern for larger reductions. The choice depends on the amount of tissue to be removed and the individual’s breast anatomy. Scar position and length are discussed at consultation as part of the surgical planning process.
How long does it take to see the final result after breast reduction?
The majority of swelling resolves by three months, but the full shape continues to develop for up to twelve months post-surgery. Scars take longer — typically two to three years to reach their best appearance. Dr Turner’s practice provides a structured scar management protocol to support this process.
What is required to book a consultation for breast reduction in Sydney?
A GP referral is required to book your first consultation. If you are seeking a consultation for potential Medicare-rebatable surgery, the referral should document the functional symptoms you are experiencing. Under current AHPRA regulations, a minimum of two consultations, a psychological evaluation, and a cooling-off period all apply before surgery can proceed.
Take the Next Step
If you are researching breast reduction surgery in Sydney, a consultation with Dr Turner is the starting point. He consults from Bondi Junction in the Eastern Suburbs and Manly on the Northern Beaches.
Contact us to request a consultation or ask a question about the process.
A GP referral is required to book your first appointment. If you do not have a current referral, your GP can provide one after a brief discussion about your symptoms and interest in surgical options.
