How Much Will Gynecomastia Surgery Cost?

Gynecomastia surgery may be required for men who have abnormally large breasts. Enlargement of the chest area may be common with body building or weight gain, but sometimes, a surge in a man’s estrogen levels may also trigger the swelling of his breast size in such a way that it starts to resemble female breasts. This condition may cause insecurity and embarrassment for a lot of men, and thankfully, it can be treated with a topical surgery that is similar to liposuction.

If you have tried weight loss and exercise, and the problem still persists, then you may opt for cosmetic surgery to get rid of the fat on your breasts. The operation would entail a very tiny incision that will be done near your areola. Afterwards, it heals naturally and becomes practically unnoticeable. Many men have enjoyed and benefited from the results of a satisfactory gynecomastia reduction surgery. And as with any surgery, this kind of procedure can be very expensive. Here are some guidelines that you may need to be aware of:

General Cost

Gynecomastia surgery costs around $6000 to $7000 dollars. This comprises the surgeon’s fee (around $3400), the fee for the operating facilities (up to $1800), costs for anesthesia ($275 per hour on a board certified anesthesiologist), and miscellaneous costs such as lab tests and prescription drugs. Your health card may or may not cover these costs, so be sure to inquire first.

Generally, insurance will not cover costs for this surgery because gynecomastia is not technically a serious health risk – rather, it may be a symptom of a graver cause such as obesity. If you still want to pursue filing and insurance claim, experts recommend having tests to show that your gynecomastia is a congenital condition, or getting as close to your average or ideal weight as much as possible before making a claim.

Preparing For the Procedure

Undergoing gynecomastia surgery would entail the same precautions and recovery procedures that you would with any type of cosmetic surgery, so you would also have to consider costs for these. A complete blood count (CBC) is required prior to surgery. Your doctor has to give you a check up and confirm you fit for operating, and after the actual procedure, you may have to rest for 1-3 days and must limit strenuous exercise for a while, such as bench presses or jogging and running.

Gynecomastia surgery may not be for everyone who experiences problem with large breasts. Sometimes, gynecomastia is drug-induced, and simply laying off the drugs may help stem the hormonal imbalance that leads to growth. The condition also occurs naturally during puberty, when hormones are amok. After puberty the problem usually goes away. Men who are advanced in years may also experience dropped testosterone levels that can trigger breast growth. If you belong to this final category, you might want to reconsider surgery if it will put your health at risk.