How Does Gynecomastia Surgery Work?

In short, an excess of estrogren results in a hormonal imbalance that leads to gynecomastia. All men have both estrogen and testosterone in their bodies, but men typically have much more testosterone, and women typically have much more estrogen. When these hormones are thrown out of balance, problems like noticeable breasts in men can occur.

Male breast reduction is an extremely common surgical procedure that involves removing excess fat and tissue in the breast area. In some cases, the surgeon will also have to remove excess skin and reposition the nipples so that the end result looks natural.

How Much Does Surgery For Gynecomastia Cost?

Unfortunately, standardized costs do not exist for any kind of medical procedure. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of gynecomastia surgery is $3,978, but your final cost could be more or less depending on a number of factors:

First, the average fee stated by the ASPS doesn't account for any related expenses such as anesthesia or additional preperations. Second, surgical fees vary greatly depending on geographical location and the experience of your surgeon. Living in an area with a high cost of living like Miami or LA, you can expect to pay more.

 

 

More experienced surgeons often charge more as well, but it's important to remember that you should carefully check your surgeon's credentials and portfolio of work because a higher fee doesn't always translate to better performance. Finally, the type of procedure that you will need to get rid of your excess breast tissue also determines how much you will have to pay. Some mild cases only need a minimally invasive operation. More complicated cases might require more than one procedure performed. The only way to find out exactly how much your surgery will cost is to schedule consultations with plastic surgeons. You will then be able to find out the extact procedure and get a definitive price quote.

Can I Get Insurance Coverage For Male Breast Reduction?

Once you find out the gynecomastia surgery cost, your next question is likely whether or not your insurance will cover any part of the procedure.

Unfortunately, unless there is a life-threatening medical condition related to your gynecomastia, medical insurance will likely not cover the cost of surgery. Despite the distress of living with gynecomastia can cause, insurance companies classify these breast reduction surgeries as cosmetic procedures only. This classification allows the grounds to not offer any type of coverage for your gynecomastia surgery. There are a small handful of cases in which medical insurance will at least partially cover surgery, especially for young men, so it never hurts to look through your health insurance plan to see what it says. The good news is that there are other options besides health insurance. Many plastic surgery offices give patients the option for payment plans with flexible rates. Be sure to ask about this during your consultation. In addition, there are personal medical credit cards that you can apply for. Further, if you have sufficient credit, you might also be eligible for a low-interest medical loan.

Don't Let Gynecomastia Cost You the Life You Deserve

It's true that surgery is somewhat expensive, but there can be financing options available that will let you get the surgery. You should consult with different surgeons to see if they offer payment plans.

You don't have to live with swollen nipple outlines under your clothes or have the feeling of being top-heavy for the rest of your life. If you are on the fence on surgery, and you're still struggling with gynecomastia, there are non-invasive options as well. You can wear nipple covers to reduce the appearance of puffy nipples. You can also wear compression garments or thicker tops to flatten your chest.