Body contouring is never a one-size-fits-all situation despite what the internet may want you to think. Any aesthetic procedure has to be tailored to your anatomy, needs and lifestyle in order to be effective. Having said that, however, there are certain body aesthetics that the human eye is hardwired to view as desirable. For men, one is a smooth, flat chest. Throughout history, it’s been a quintessential component of a masculine looking physique. Not every man, unfortunately, is born with this ideal. Furthermore, age and lifestyle choices may lead to the development of excess glandular tissue and/or fat in the chest. Derisively referred to as “man boobs”, gynecomastia, the technical term for this condition, is not only unsightly, but it can also be emotionally concerning. As a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon who has specialized in body contouring for almost 20 years, my goal is to improve gynecomastia in my Boston area patients. I’m also aware that this is an out-of-pocket procedure and money is a factor for most of us. So, here’s a breakdown of how much gynecomastia surgery may cost you.
Gynecomastia Surgery Options in Boston
When it comes to gynecomastia specifically, the internet has radically changed the playing field. This condition used to be something that men were too embarrassed to talk about, even with their doctor. Instead, they hid their puffy chest under overly large clothes and avoided most situations that involved bare skin such as going to the gym or the beach. But social media and the web have helped gynecomastia to come into the light. Patients tend to now realize that this is something that is incredibly common, affecting over half of older men in the Boston area alone. The internet has also proven to be a fantastic resource for potential patients to investigate the various treatment options for improving the appearance of their “man boobs”. These include:
- Male Chest Reduction Surgery
- Extended Gynecomastia Surgery
- Chest Liposuction
The downside of the internet is that it isn’t personal. And when faced with the choice between a surgical incision on the chest and liposuction, every man wants the latter. But chest liposuction will only address excess fatty tissue, and to be honest, most of my gynecomastia patients exhibit a combination of too much fat and glandular tissue which must be surgically excised.
Gynecomastia Consultation is Critical
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your chest, the single best course of action is to schedule an in-person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, such as myself, who performs a lot of gynecomastia procedures. Most of us do charge a consultation fee that is applied towards the surgery in my practice. But even if it isn’t, this is money well spent as the outcome of your consultation will be a realistic treatment plan for improving what bothers you about your chest. During our meeting, I will perform an in-depth physical exam to assess:
- Areas of excess fatty deposits
- Presence and location of excess glandular tissue
- Nipple position
- Skin laxity, tone & texture
I will also ask a lot of questions about your lifestyle as there are certain drugs such as marijuana and anabolic steroids that can cause gynecomastia. Obviously, stopping their use is a smart first line of defense as this may take care of the situation. We will also review any weight loss or weight gain that you may have had recently as this, too, can be a factor.
Cost of Gynecomastia Depends on Treatment Plan
Once we know the appropriate treatment plan, we can get into the cost of your gynecomastia procedure. The price can range from $8,000 to $16,000. Here is a rough breakdown:
- Chest Liposuction Alone: $8,000 – $10,000
- Gynecomastia Surgery: $10,000 – $12,000
- Extended Gynecomastia Surgery: $14,000 – $16,000
This cost includes your:
- Surgeon Fee
- Facility Fee
- Anesthesia Fee
It also covers all of your post-op appointments. The only items that would be an additional fee include medications, pathology (though this part is often covered by insurance) and your compression garments. While these numbers are not insignificant, I urge you to keep in mind that this price should be amortized over the many decades in which you will enjoy your lean, smooth chest.
To find out more about gynecomastia, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Chestnut Hill office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.