Cost of Gynecomastia Surgery

How Much Does Gynecomastia Surgery Cost?

The gynecomastia cost for male breast reduction surgery will vary between different practices and even between two patients in the same plastic surgery practice. Several factors will go into determining the cost.

Geographical Location

The location of the plastic surgery practice can make a difference in the overall cost of gynecomastia surgery. The average price of goods and services, including cosmetic surgery, differs from place to place. The value in a metropolitan area or urban location will be more expensive than in a less populated region. For example, the cost of male gynecomastia surgery will be higher in New York City or San Francisco as opposed to Dayton, Ohio. These goods and services pricing is analogous to the cost of gas prices from one state to the next.

This price variation also applies to the surgical center or hospital where the surgery takes place.

Surgeon’s Fee

​The experience of a surgeon plays a significant role in the cost. A highly experienced gynecomastia surgeon will receive the most difficult cases of enlarged male breasts and perform many male breast reduction revision cases. Therefore, you are paying more for their experience, or even the likelihood of success.

However, some less-experienced plastic surgeons are also competent in providing gynecomastia surgery so the cost will reflect the general skill of the surgeon in this case as well. It is essential to do your research to find the best surgeon for you and your situation.

Operating Facility

Male breast reduction surgery is often performed under general anesthesia at an accredited surgical facility. If the facility is state-of-the-art with experienced and specialized staff, the cost may be more than one where it’s performed with fewer resources.

The anesthesiologist is a critical element of any surgery. Their credentials and experience contribute to the anesthesiologist fee.

The Complexity of the Gynecomastia Case

Case complexity is dependent on the “grade of gynecomastia“. The grades are 1 to 4. The higher the degree of enlarged breasts, excess skin, excess glandular tissue, etc., the longer the surgical time. For example, Grade 4 will undoubtedly be a longer and more complex surgery than a Grade 1, 2, or 3. This means that surgery will likely be more expensive than a lower grade.

Gynecomastia Surgery Costs

• Surgeon’s fee – $4,500-$6,000
• Facility and procedural costs – $2,900
• Anesthesia – $900
• Medical testing – $100
• Prescriptions for medication $100

The above estimate is for a 3-hour surgical procedure.

Is Gynecomastia Surgery Covered By My Insurance?

Since the majority of gynecomastia cases are considered cosmetic, they are rarely covered by medical insurance. Gynecomastia is a severe blow to a man’s self-esteem, and this has significant psychological implications. Insurance companies do not regard psychological issues due to male breast enlargement to be warranted toward a deductible or for reimbursement. Unless the gynecomastia is associated with cancer, tumors, or life-threatening diseases, the chances of coverage are uncommon. An insurance company may consider coverage for:

• Consistent, well-documented pain
• Taking a required medication that has caused gynecomastia as a side effect
• Gynecomastia development as part of a syndrome like Klinefelter Syndrome

If you feel that your situation is warranted, have your primary care doctor write a letter with supporting documentation. It is usually always denied. An appeal is a next step.

Cost of Gynecomastia Revision Surgery

In some cases, men are unhappy with the result of their first attempt to eliminate gynecomastia. The plastic surgeon who initially operated on the patient will often agree to do corrective work (gynecomastia revision surgery) at no/low cost. It is always best to work out the situation with your initial surgeon since many surgeons will provide revision for up to a year at no charge.

If you lose confidence in your surgeon, it is reasonable to search for another board-certified plastic surgeon to correct gynecomastia surgery. Unfortunately, the cost for a different physician will almost certainly be more than finding a solution with your first surgeon.