Male breast reduction surgery removes excess breast tissue and skin from the male breast area to create a flat-chested masculine chest. Male breast reductions are generally performed on men who suffer from a medical condition known as Gynecomastia, which results in the abnormal growth of breast tissue in men, creating female-appearing breasts. Breast reduction surgery is performed to remove the fatty tissue and the male breast glandular tissue from the male breast in order to restore the natural appearance of the male breast.
Variations within male breast reduction surgery are common: the complexity and length of surgery can differ as well as procedural techniques and other details. For this reason, the cost of male breast reduction surgery will also differ. In general, the surgery costs includes: the surgeons fee, the surgical center or hospital fees, the anesthesia fee as well as the lab fee for analysis of the tissue (if any is sent). The total fees range from approximately $2500-$10,000 and can be more or less depending on the type of surgery as well as the location of the doctor. Higher prices are typical in the northeast cities as New York, Boston, and Center City Philadelphia due to the higher anesthesia and hospital fees. In order to understand more about what might affect the cost of male breast reduction surgery, consider these points:
Complexity and Length of Surgery: The factor that probably affects the price of surgery the most is the complexity and length of the required procedure. If only one breast needs to be reconstructed, the cost of surgery will be less than if both breasts are being done, although it is more common for male breast reduction surgery to be performed bilaterally. Additionally, the procedure can range in complexity. Some cases of gynecomastia can be corrected with liposuction by removing the fatty tissue through a small incision. However, if the tissue is too dense (which it usually is compared to female breast tissue) your surgeon will need to combine liposuction with excision of the tissue. There may be a need to correct or adjust the placement of the nipple. This will contribute to the complexity of the procedure and will also add time in surgery. Generally, the longer the surgery takes, the most expensive the procedure will be. Surgery for patients with massive weight loss and large skin excess tend to take longer and are more expensive than liposuction only patients.
Insurance Coverage: Because Gynecomastia is a medical condition, some or all of the procedure might be covered by insurance. When trying to get an insurance company to cover this procedure, it is especially important to keep careful documentation of any appointments, medications, and costs that have occurred due to the condition. Gynecomastia can be caused by a variety of things: prescription medication use, marijuana use, and tumors causing a hormone imbalance are a few contributing factors. Some factors, such as marijuana use, would not qualify an individual to get the surgery covered by insurance. However, if there is adequate documentation to show that the use of a prescribed medication, or a medical condition like tumors affecting your hormone imbalance is causing the condition, insurance coverage may be possible. All surgeons and insurance companies are different, so be sure to speak with your doctor during consultation and with your personal insurance representative about the possibility of getting your male breast reduction covered by insurance.
Location and other Factors: As with any service, prices will vary depending on your location. For example, plastic surgery in parts of California may cost less due to the common occurrence of the procedure, which affects the competition and the number of board certified doctors practicing in the area. In contrast, in more secluded or rural areas, you may pay more to see an expert surgeon than you would if they were more readily available. In addition to costs varying by location, they will vary depending on if you get the surgery done in a hospital that requires an overnight stay versus on an outpatient basis. Hospital fees and fees for anesthesiologists will vary and will affect the overall cost of the procedure.
Do not forgo expertise: Getting a male breast reduction is not like buying a used car: this is not the time to haggle with prices or try to find the lowest deal. Patients will pay more for surgeons who have expertise in the area of gynecomastia, and the search for a qualified and expert surgeon should not be called off due to high costs. It is necessary that your surgery is performed by a board certified plastic surgeon, and important that they understand the goals and procedures of a male breast reduction. Surgeons who are experts in this field will be able to obtain the optimal results, limit complications and generally have a higher patient satisfaction.
To schedule a private complimentary consultation with Dr. Edward S. Kole to discuss your male gynecomastia concerns, to see if you qualify for insurance coverage, and the total surgical costs, please contact our office at 215-315-7655 .
