One of the more popular procedures for men and one of my specialties is gynecomastia surgery. This is a procedure to address unwanted, excess fat and/or breast tissue on the chest in a man. While it has always been incredibly common, affecting about 36% of young men and 57% of older men in the Boston area, it’s only recently that men have become aware of the treatment options available for dealing with this sometimes embarrassing condition. I thank the internet. However, there is still a great deal of confusion about which treatment option to choose as well as why there is such a wide range in terms of cost when it comes to gynecomastia.
How Much Should Gynecomastia Cost?
If you have been dreaming about a smooth, flat chest and have finally decided that you want to make your dreams a reality, there are several things to consider such as:
- Choosing the right plastic surgeon
- Which Gynecomastia treatment option is right for you?
- Gynecomastia cost
Cost is an important consideration for all my patients, and it is something that I will always discuss in detail during your initial consultation. If you are considering gynecomastia with me in either my Boston or Brookline offices, the total cost is going to range anywhere from $9,000 to $11,000. The reason for this price variable is there are a few components that determine your overall fee. These include:
- Type of treatment: liposuction, glandular excision, or both
- Addressing any loose skin surgically
- Surgeon’s fee
- Anesthesiology fee
- Hospital or surgery center fee
Gynecomastia Treatment Option Determines Price
Gynecomastia is a common but complex condition. As such, there is an array of different treatment options. These range from liposuction to breast excision to a combination of the two. The right one for you is always going to depend on your individual anatomy, lifestyle and needs as well as your ability to tolerate downtime.
Every potential gynecomastia patient who comes in to see me would like to address the issue with either a non-surgical procedure or liposuction alone. I will always be honest with you about what you can realistically expect to achieve with any given treatment option. While the cost of gynecomastia surgery that includes glandular tissue and/or skin excision is going to be more expensive, you will also not be happy with your results if you get SculpSure, Coolsculpting or liposuction, and are still left with excess breast tissue.
Local vs. General Anesthesia Costs
One of the biggest reasons for the gynecomastia cost differential is anesthesia. Certain treatment options such as liposuction alone can be done under local anesthesia, which is less expensive, while others, such as gland excision, are going to require sedation and/or general anesthesia. Furthermore, to achieve a smooth, flat chest, certain patients are also going to need to have some excess skin removed. This is particularly true for patients who have gained and lost a considerable amount of weight or are older. As we age, our skin loses its ability to “bounce back” and reform over your new chest contour. Anytime that I remove skin, the patient will need to go under general anesthesia. It is the only way to ensure a safe, predictable outcome.
Experience & Gynecomastia Cost
Although I understand the allure of choosing the plastic surgeon who offers you the cheapest price, it is important to keep in mind that you often get what you pay for. As a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, I have invested years of training and rigorous study into my craft. Furthermore, as an expert in gynecomastia, I have performed countless procedures. This experience means that I am never going to try to sell you on a treatment option that will not do the job. Yes, cost matters. However, spending thousands of dollars on liposuction only to be left with a lumpy chest is a waste of money.
The key to an exemplary gynecomastia result is to actually address what is causing the fullness in your chest. For a few men, this is fat alone. In these cases, I will typically put you on a diet and exercise regime first to get your weight down before performing liposuction. For most gynecomastia sufferers, however, there is some degree of excess glandular tissue at play. If your goal is to look and feel your best, then it is important to get things right the first time. No one wants to undergo revision surgery.
To find out more about the cost of a gynecomastia procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Brookline office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.