Gynecomastia is the term used to describe enlarged breasts in men. The term does not include simple chest fat on a man. One treatment for the condition gynecomastia is surgery, either breast reduction or liposuction, both of which are invasive. Either option should be carefully considered as surgery can be dangerous and the cost is usually substantially higher than other alternatives.
Reasons for performing surgery on men with enlarged breasts are to reconstruct the chest and if a suspicious lesion is present, to determine whether it is benign or cancerous. To be a candidate for male breast surgery you should be healthy both physically and mentally. Your weight should be relatively normal for your body type, you should have reasonable expectations of the outcome, and your breast growth should be stabilized. In other words, the cause has been determined and is being treated but the tissue already developed is permanent.
Before having surgery you should have incorporated a diet and exercise program into your routine in an attempt to reduce body fat and that around the breast area. If you must take drugs continuously which are causing the condition it is not likely you will be considered for breast reduction surgery.
Liposuction or Breast Reduction
Which procedure your doctor performs depends mostly on the amount and type of tissue causing the problem. If the problem is a result of excessive fatty tissue, liposuction will likely be performed; if the problem is a result of excessive glandular tissue, then breast reduction surgery will be performed. If both tissues are present in large amounts, both procedures may be used for the best outcome.
Liposuction removes excess fat using a slim, hollow tube which is inserted into the body and attached to a vacuum pump which will suction the fat out of the body. Small incisions are made either around the areola or under the arm in order to properly place the tube and remove the fat.
Breast reduction surgery incisions are made in the same area as above, but the doctor uses a scalpel to remove excess glandular tissue, fatty tissue, and skin. Major reductions usually have more visible scars and may require more reconstruction.
Both surgeries are usually performed as an outpatient procedure and take less than two hours for a normal reduction.
Prices for Surgery
The cost of surgery is usually based on the surgeon’s fee, surgery center’s costs, anesthesia costs, and cost for medication and other post-surgery necessities. The average prices for surgery can range from $3,500 to over $5,000 depending on where you are located. Insurance does not usually cover the cost of breast reduction surgery unless it is performed to relieve physical deformities or physical problems resulting from the condition. Generally, you should not have to spend more than $7,500 on gynecomastia surgery.
