Most patients with gynecomastia are often curious about the surgical process. So, here is an estimate of gynecomastia surgery costs and an account of various factors that influence it.
Gynecomastia, commonly called ‘man boobs’, is the condition in which breast tissues develop in men, resembling that of a woman. Needless to say, this causes a lot of embarrassment in the concerned individual. Men suffering from this disorder suffer from very low self-esteem. They tend to avoid socializing and resort to wearing only particular type of garments.
Often, elderly men are more susceptible to suffer from this disease, cases involving teenagers and young men is also not rare. Although it does not have any serious physical implications, the mental trauma associated with it can be devastating. Most patients think of surgery as the only option to get out of this embarrassing problem. However, many of them often have confusion regarding the cost of surgery. Following are the several factors to be considered at this crucial juncture.
When to Go for a Surgery
Surgery may not always be required. When you consult your physician, he’ll first find out the cause for this condition. Often, obesity is the major cause, especially among elderly men. Men with this disorder have a general tendency to put on weight. Hence, your physician will first attempt to reduce your weight by recommending some breast reduction exercises along with normal exercises.
However, it is important to remember that there are different types of this disorder. The true gynecomastia is caused due to excess growth of breast gland tissue on the chest, and no exercises will make any difference to it, which means that surgery is inevitable. Then, there is pseudogynecomastia, which is caused due to build-up of fat in and around the nipples (exercise and a weight-loss program do work here).
Therefore, while excision is the solution for the former, the latter requires liposuction. Bear in mind that the cost varies according to the procedure. Also, it is imperative that you begin exercising upon the recommendation of your physician only, as some chest exercises can actually worsen the condition by making your breasts fuller and larger. If the exercises work for you, then there will be no need to undergo a surgery.
Factors Determining the Cost
Once, you and your physician are convinced that surgery is the only option, then you should begin searching for the cosmetic surgeon who best suits your needs. The average cost would be anywhere between $3000 to $5000. It is important to note that most health insurance companies do not cover the cost, as it is a cosmetic surgery. The various factors that will determine the cost are as follows:
Location
Location is one of the most important deciding factor for surgery cost. If you are planning to go for a surgery in an upmarket area in New York, then you should be ready to shell out more than the average cost. However, you can get the procedure done in other cities at a much lesser cost.
Experience of the Surgeon
Experience of the surgeon would also greatly influence the cost. The more experienced the surgeon, greater the cost. Since this surgery is a delicate one and involves a reasonable amount of risk, you would definitely want to rely on a proficient and experienced surgeon, even though he quotes a higher fee.
Extent of Surgery
The condition may not be same for all individuals. In some men the condition can be worse, with the fat extending in the axillary (armpit) area of the body. Since the surgery basically aims at removing the excess fat from the chest area using liposuction, the amount of fat would definitely decide the cost. In short, the more the extent of the surgery, greater the cost.
Type
Cost would vary, depending on the type of the disorder. If the process involves a liposuction to remove the excess adipose tissue, and then perform an excision, costs will certainly be more. Besides, the procedure also depends on how much skin is sagging due to the excess tissue, and accordingly, prices will vary. You should be ready to spend about $3000 to $5000, towards gynecomastia surgery cost. However, before going for the surgery take into consideration all the pros and cons. Also, enquire with your physician if there are other solutions except the surgery.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.
