How Much Does Gynecomastia Surgery Cost?

Last Updated on March 16, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Gynecomastia is a fairly common condition that is known to affect over 50% of all men, although people very rarely bring it up. This happens mostly because of anxiety or embarrassment, as men usually choose to suffer in silence with this condition, even though they might be desperate for a solution.

Gynecomastia surgery is a procedure that will improve the appearance of your chest, being considered both effective and completely safe.

How Much Does Gynecomastia Surgery Cost?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of Gynecomastia surgery is around $4,300. This price will usually not include things like operating room facilities, anesthesia, or other similar related expenses. To get an exact fee for the procedure, you will have to get in touch with the plastic surgeon you’re planning to work with, to schedule a consultation.

Most of the time, you can’t count on your medical insurance to cover gynecomastia surgery. On the low side of the price range, expect surgeries for about $4,000, while on the high side, it isn’t unusual for people to spend over $6,000. If you were to include other expenses, like surgeon fees, prescriptions, post-surgery garments, medical tests, surgical facility costs, and anesthesia fees, the final cost could go over $10,000.

The experience of the surgeon will dictate their fee, along with the geographic location of the office and the type of procedure you’re going for.

Even though most health insurance plans won’t cover male breast reduction procedures or the complications that might come from them, there are quite a few plastic surgeons who are able to offer patient financing options and plans, so it is something worth asking about.

Gynecomastia surgery costs will usually include:

• Surgeon’s fee
• Prescriptions for medication
• Post-surgery garments
• Medical tests
• Hospital or surgical facility costs
• Anesthesia fees

If you want to guarantee your satisfaction, the fee shouldn’t be all you’re interested in. You should also make sure you’re going for a surgeon with a lot of experience, one that is board-certified. This means that you’ll probably have to avoid the lowest price brackets and pick someone around or over the average price.

In what situations is gynecomastia surgery covered by health insurance?

As stated above, in most cases you are not eligible for insurance coverage when going for correction of gynecomastia. But as you know, each insurance policy and plan varies considerably. Go over your policy carefully to determine whether you are covered or not.

There is a published position paper for insurers and physicians by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, in which cases of gynecomastia and the recommended criteria for reconstructive procedures are defined. Your physician can probably give you a copy of this document and you can submit it to your insurer.

What is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is characterized by the enlargement of breasts in men. This usually happens due to a change in the levels of testosterone and estrogen hormones. This makes the breasts grow unevenly and become more prominent. Although Gynecomastia can affect men of all ages, it is a lot more common in adolescents.

Although this condition should resolve itself most of the time in just a few months or a couple of years max, there are also cases in which symptoms continue to develop to the point where something has to be done.

Among the most important contributing factors to the persistent change are some herbal products, health conditions, alcohol, recreational drugs, certain medications, or natural hormone changes.

How Can I Get Rid of Gynecomastia?

Exercise won’t help fix your gynecomastia, as it is produced by excess tissue in the breast. The most reliable solution to remove enlarged breast tissue in males and the one people often resort to is male breast reduction surgery or Gynecomastia surgery. After this plastic surgery, if the breast tissue is properly removed, the chest will get a more contoured, masculine shape.

You might also like our articles on the cost of sex reassignment surgery, breast reduction surgery, or breast implant removal.

Although a lot of people consider that this appearance of breasts in males is caused by extra fat, this is a gross misconception. It’s important to know this so that you understand that most fat removal techniques like liposuction won’t be able to correct gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia refers to excess breast tissue that will only be removed using a small incision. For a better understanding of the issue and the recommended procedure, you should get in touch with a local board-certified plastic surgeon.

What to Expect from Gynecomastia Surgery

Although gynecomastia, depending on how severe it is, can be performed with local anesthesia, most cases will require general anesthesia. In most cases, people needing this procedure will only have to get a small incision in the pigmented area around the nipple which is called the areola.

After the surgery, this incision will usually be inconspicuous. During the procedure, the surgeon will extract extra fat and breast tissue that cause the chest to be unnecessarily enlarged. This will give it a more pleasing masculine form and shape it properly.

As a patient, you will usually be required to wear a compression garment for the next 3-4 weeks following the surgery. This will support the treated areas and reduce swelling. You will see the full results of the surgery only after 3 to 6 months.

Most men going through this cosmetic surgery have great things to say about it, as it completely changes the appearance of their chest.