Gynecomastia Surgery – Should You Do it?

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Male gynecomastia is a condition that affects more than a third of the world’s total male population. While it does not pose a grave threat to one’s health, there are difficulties that are caused by having enlarged man breasts, not the least of which is the embarrassment and humiliation.

The good news is that men who suffer from gynecomastia are not without help, especially since there are a number of ways to deal with such condition. Gynecomastia surgery is among the top three solutions that men can choose from, the two others being topical and oral medications.

Check my Q&A section at the end of the article where most common questions are answered.

Gynecomastia Surgery Facts

Gynecomastia surgery may be in the form of liposuction, a procedure to remove breast fat but not the tissue of the breast gland itself, or mastectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of the tissue underneath the breast.

Mastectomy has been done using endoscopy in which only tiny incisions are made to be less invasive and involve less time for recovery as well. Okay. But the last person I know who had a mastectomy was Angelina Jolie, not Brad Pitt.

Other surgical approaches include liposuction-assisted mastectomy, subcutaneous mastectomy, laser-lipolysis without liposuction procedure, and laser-assisted liposuction. Note that mastectomy may have complications such as breast asymmetry, necrosis of the nipple or areola, contour deformities, hematoma, noticeable scars, and possible infection of the surgical wound. Oh yeah, and you have to be aware that these will entail what could very well be expensive gynecomastia surgery costs.

With this kind of surgery, expect to shell out between $6000 and $7500. This is only an estimate since the actual costs would be determined by the hospital or medical facility where the surgery will be performed as well as the surgeon who will perform it.

The procedure is conducted in a personalized manner from beginning to end and can be customized to suit your preferences. But let me tell you a secret: even if my doctor didn’t tell me, I know in my heart that surgery is the only option so far that can guarantee a permanent elimination of enlarged breasts.

There will be no guesswork here because the surgeon can explain to you in detail how your “new” chest will be like after the surgery, according to my doctor. The issue with a gynecomastia surgical treatment is not really the procedure itself but its affordability to the patient.

I can afford it, modesty aside, but surgery is on top of my list of worst nightmares.

Before deciding as to whether male breast reduction surgery is the best course of action, there are factors to consider, such as risk, cost, and projected results. Below are important facts that one should know about man boobs surgery, which should help men decide if it is best to undergo such procedure.

Immediate and Long-Term Effects of Gynecomastia Surgery

Instantaneous Breast Reduction

Since surgery is as direct of an approach to removing enlarged male breasts as anyone can hope for, the results can be seen right after the procedure. Granted the chest area will remain bandaged in order to prevent any post-operative infection (this is quite a common occurrence), but the effects are immediately apparent.
The procedure itself is straightforward just like how it is done on female breast reduction surgery. The adipose tissue (fat) is removed in order to achieve a flatter appearance.

Reduced Likelihood of Recurrence

Those who choose to undergo man boob surgery do so in the hopes of avoiding recurrence of the condition. While it is true that surgery will lessen the likelihood of developing man breasts again, there is no 100% guarantee for this.

Potential Drawbacks of Surgery

Post-operative Pain and Risk of Infection

Since this is a major procedure that involves cutting into the flesh, there is always the risk of infection, which can lead to serious complications. In addition, you can expect significant pain levels after the procedure has been completed. To alleviate this, most physicians prescribe pain killers (Vicodin), which in themselves have side effects when taken for extended periods of time.
In any case, patients who underwent gynecomastia surgery are advised to stay in a clean environment after having the procedure in order to prevent infection.

Scarring

While the effects are more or less permanent, surgery results in scarring, which can be unsightly. It is likely that you would not want to go out without your shirt on (in case you are going to the beach or the pool) since the scar is noticeable. This kind of negates the desired effects of surgery, although it is certainly better than having enlarged man breasts.

Exorbitant Cost

As in the case of breast augmentation for women, breast reduction for men is considered an elective surgery, which means it will not be covered by your health insurance. The cost of gynecomastia surgery ranges from $5000 to $10000 depending on which hospital you get the procedure done and the surgeon who will perform the surgery. Post-operative care also costs a lot of money, especially since you have to take pain medication as well as antibacterials to prevent infection.

I did check around and below is a sample computation of how much you may have to spend if you decide to opt for breast reduction surgery:

• Surgeon’s fee = between $4000 and $4500.
• Anesthesia fee = between $1500 and $2000.
• Laboratory tests = between $500 and $1000.
• Post-surgery compression vests = between $100 and $500, depending on the brand, size, and comfort level.

If you do decide to have this elective procedure, it is best to compare gyno surgery cost as offered by hospitals and/or clinics (there are private surgical practices that have their own in-house suites where procedures such as gynecomastia can be performed).

Among the reasons why gynecomastia surgery cost is high is the equipment as well as staff required to do the procedure. It is classified as major surgery so sedation is necessary via anesthesia, which costs a lot of money (anesthesiologists are paid separately).

How to Avoid Exorbitant Cost of Male Breast Reduction

For those whose budget does not permit for elective surgery such as breast reduction, there are other effective ways of man breasts removal.

Topical Breast Reduction Cream

If you have previously considered gyno surgery, it is probably because you did not have much faith in topical solutions as far as providing excellent results. While it is true that the market is riddled with ineffective creams and serums, there are a few products that actually work, among which is Gynexol. This breast reduction cream for men specifically targets adipose tissue in the breasts and obliterates the lipids. This product is made of all-natural ingredients, a few of which have been selected specifically for their fat burning attributes (aloe vera), and skin tightening properties (retinol and gingko biloba).

Gynexol cream is very easy to use and does not have any side effects or health risks. The same cannot be said for surgical procedures.
By comparison, Gynexol is less than a tenth of what you will spend in surgical fees. Even if you use this cream continuously for a year, the cost is still not as high as breast reduction surgery.

Breast Reduction Pills for Men

If you do not have much luck with breast reduction creams, you might want to try herbal pills like Gynexin. Unlike creams, Gynexin pills are designed to be ingested in order for the active ingredients to be delivered via the bloodstream. This natural supplement uses a variety of ingredients that are known for their fat burning properties (Green Tea Extract, Caffeine, and Theobromine Cacao). In addition, the formula is a proprietary blend that is a result of many years of research and trials.
Just like Gynexol Cream, Gynexin is cost effective, easy to use, and quite accessible. Both these products are available online as they are sold by several retailers.

Verdict: Surgery or Not?

Ultimately, it boils down to whether you are willing to spend an enormous amount of money and brave the risks of surgery in order to get results. Given that there are safer and cheaper solutions to get rid of gynecomastia, it is prudent to at least consider using cream or pills before resorting to breast reduction surgery. Many men who were previously set on undergoing surgery ended up trying alternative solutions and getting excellent results, without the ridiculous cost and the risks.
Surgery should be the last resort and must be considered only after all other possible solutions have been exhausted.

Q&A – Your Questions Answered:

How much a gynecomastia surgery cost?

This type of surgery may be considered a mastectomy, as it will involve gland removal if the cause of the enlargement is hormonal. If it’s caused by fatty deposits in the chest area, then it’s basically a liposuction procedure.

The cost usually breaks down as follows:

• Surgeon fee. About $4,000 to $4,500
• Anesthesia cost. About $1,500 to $2,000
• Laboratory tests. About $500 to $1,000
• Compression vest after surgery. About $100 to $500

So all in all, it may cost you as much as $8,000 and that may not even cover any medications your doctor may add to the treatment. What’s more, it’s usually considered a cosmetic procedure, so your insurance may not cover it.

Why is gynecomastia surgery so expensive?

You can’t just go to any doctor to get this type of surgery. You need specialists to do the surgery, as well as special surgical equipment to reduce the male breasts. Both doctors and equipment will cost a lot of money. The surgery will also require anesthesia, various lab tests, and a special vest post-surgery and these too will add to the cost.

Why is gynecomastia surgery considered cosmetic?

If you have a breast reduction surgery because of gynecomastia, it’s almost always considered a cosmetic surgical procedure. That’s because this is usually an issue about your appearance. Your enlarged breasts don’t pose any permanent threat to your health, nor do they cause any major impairment. So if it’s considered cosmetic, it will most likely not be covered by your insurance policy.

Of course, it all depends on the fine print of your policy. Also, many insurance policies may cover breast reduction surgery if it comes with moderate or severe chest pain. It should really cause a serious physical and functional impairment. Your inability to participate in sports or social activities like dancing is not considered a major impairment.

Also, insurance may only cover the procedure if other treatments have been already tried and if the breast enlargement is caused by glandular breast tissue. If it is caused by excess fat, the liposuction won’t be covered.

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