What Is the Mother of All Surgeries? The Truth About Open Heart Surgery Costs and Why It Matters

When people talk about the mother of all surgeries, they’re not talking about the flashiest or most trendy procedure. They’re talking about the one that changes everything - the surgery that saves lives but demands everything from your body, your wallet, and your courage. That surgery is open heart surgery, specifically coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). It’s not glamorous. It doesn’t come with Instagram filters or viral TikTok recovery vlogs. But for millions of people around the world, it’s the difference between dying before 60 and watching your grandkids graduate.

Why Open Heart Surgery Is Called the Mother of All Surgeries

Open heart surgery earned its nickname because it’s the original big-ticket operation - the one that proved human hearts could be stopped, opened, repaired, and restarted. Before 1953, a blocked artery was a death sentence. By 1967, surgeons were routinely opening chests, connecting patients to heart-lung machines, and rerouting blood around clogged vessels. Today, over 200,000 CABG procedures are done in the U.S. alone every year. In New Zealand, about 1,800 are performed annually, mostly in public hospitals.

It’s called the mother of all surgeries because it’s the foundation. Most other cardiac procedures - stents, valve replacements, even some robotic surgeries - were built on the techniques developed for open heart bypass. It’s the benchmark. If you can survive this, you can survive almost anything.

What Happens During the Surgery?

Here’s what you’re actually signing up for: A 6- to 8-inch incision down the center of your chest. Your sternum is split open with a saw. Your heart is stopped. A machine takes over breathing and circulation. Surgeons take a healthy vein or artery - often from your leg or chest - and stitch it around the blocked coronary artery. Think of it like building a detour around a traffic jam so blood can flow again. The whole thing takes 3 to 6 hours.

You’re awake during none of it. But you’ll feel every second of the recovery. For days, you’ll struggle to breathe. Coughing hurts. Laughing is out of the question. Sleeping flat is impossible. Your chest will ache for months. And yes, you’ll be told to walk 10 minutes a day. That’s not advice - it’s survival.

Private vs Public: The Cost Divide

In New Zealand’s public health system, open heart surgery is free. But waiting times can stretch to 6 months or more if your condition isn’t immediately life-threatening. That’s where private care comes in - and where the real financial shock hits.

Private open heart surgery in Auckland starts at NZ$85,000 and can climb to over NZ$130,000. That includes the surgeon’s fee, hospital stay, anaesthetist, cardiac rehab, and follow-up scans. It doesn’t include travel, time off work, or the cost of a caregiver. Many people don’t realize how much of this isn’t covered by private health insurance. Policies often cap cardiac procedures at NZ$70,000. That leaves you with a gap of $15,000 to $60,000.

Compare that to the U.S., where the same surgery can cost $200,000 without insurance. Or the U.K., where private patients pay £70,000-£90,000. New Zealand’s private prices are high, but they’re still lower than most Western countries. The trade-off? You get faster access - often within 2 to 4 weeks - and a private room. But you’re paying for speed, not quality. The same surgeons work in both public and private hospitals.

Who Pays for It? The Hidden Realities

Most people who opt for private open heart surgery aren’t wealthy. They’re middle-class - teachers, plumbers, small business owners - who’ve saved for years or sold assets. Some take out second mortgages. Others dip into KiwiSaver. A few get help from family. But many go into debt.

Insurance companies rarely pay the full bill. Their contracts are designed to limit payouts. One Auckland cardiologist told me: “We’ve had patients come in with $50,000 in out-of-pocket costs because their policy had a ‘cardiac exclusion clause’ they didn’t read.”

There’s also a hidden cost: time. You’ll be off work for 8 to 12 weeks. If you’re self-employed, that’s zero income. If you’re employed, you might get 12 weeks of ACC or sick leave - but not always. Many return to part-time work at 6 weeks, still weak, still in pain, still afraid to lift anything heavier than a coffee mug.

Is It Worth It? The Real Trade-Offs

Let’s be blunt: if your heart is failing, you need the surgery. No debate. But if you’re being told, “You’re not in immediate danger, but we recommend surgery soon,” then you have time to think.

Here’s what most people don’t tell you: 20% of CABG patients still have chest pain a year later. 1 in 5 need another procedure within 10 years. Lifestyle changes - diet, exercise, quitting smoking - can delay or even prevent the need for surgery. One 2023 study from the University of Otago followed 500 patients with moderate blockages. Those who stuck to a Mediterranean diet and walked 30 minutes daily for a year reduced their risk of needing surgery by 47%.

So before you sign the consent form, ask: Can I try medical management first? Can I get a second opinion? Can I wait 3 months and see if my symptoms improve?

And if you’re considering private surgery because you’re tired of waiting - ask yourself: Is speed worth $100,000? Is it worth the debt? Is it worth the stress?

What You Should Know Before You Decide

• Public hospitals in New Zealand have the same success rates as private ones. The surgeons are often the same people.
• Private insurance rarely covers the full cost. Read the fine print. Ask for a written quote of what’s covered.
• Cardiac rehab is not optional. It’s the most important part of recovery. Public programs are free. Private ones cost $200-$400 per session.
• Don’t rush. If your condition isn’t critical, waiting 2-3 months to save money or improve your health can make a bigger difference than surgery alone.
• Ask for a cost breakdown. Surgeon fee? Hospital fee? Anaesthetist? Medications? Rehab? Get every line item in writing.

What Happens After You Say Yes

Recovery isn’t a straight line. It’s messy. You’ll have good days and bad days. Some people bounce back in 6 weeks. Others take a year. You’ll lose muscle. You’ll gain weight. You’ll feel like you’re aging 10 years overnight.

But here’s the truth most hospitals won’t tell you: the biggest predictor of long-term survival isn’t the surgery. It’s what you do after.

People who quit smoking, eat real food, walk daily, and attend cardiac rehab live 7-10 years longer than those who don’t. The surgery opens the door. Your choices keep it open.

If you’re considering private surgery, don’t just compare prices. Compare outcomes. Ask: What’s the surgeon’s 5-year survival rate? How many patients need re-operation? What’s the infection rate? These numbers matter more than the room you wake up in.

Final Thought: The Real Cost Isn’t Money

The mother of all surgeries isn’t expensive because it’s complex. It’s expensive because it’s life-changing. And that change doesn’t end when the stitches come out.

It ends when you choose to live differently. When you stop eating processed food. When you start walking instead of driving. When you tell your doctor, “I don’t want to be on medication forever.”

The surgery saves your heart. But only you can save your life after.

If you’re facing this decision, don’t rush. Get the numbers. Talk to people who’ve been through it. Ask for second opinions. And remember: the surgery is just the beginning. The real work starts when you walk out of the hospital.