Gynecomastia Surgery At a Glance
- Potential Benefits: Diminish enlarged, excess, or bulging breast tissue for a flatter, firmer, more masculine chest appearance
- Candidates: Men in good physical health at a stable weight who feel embarrassed by excess breast tissue
- Procedure: Outpatient with general anesthesia (approximately 1 to 3 hours)
- Recovery: 1 to 2 weeks for non-strenuous work and activities
- Cost: $9,000-10,000, including all fees and post-operative garments
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a condition in which excessive or enlarged tissue and fat develop in the chest area of adolescent and adult males. While the condition is not typically cause for concern from a health perspective, it can negatively impact a man’s self-image and confidence. There are two forms of gynecomastia, which can be diagnosed based on the anatomy of the symptoms—true gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia. In cases of true gynecomastia, excessively large male breasts are mainly due to an overgrowth of glandular tissue, whereas pseudogynecomastia is the result of redundant fatty tissue.
While pseudogynecomastia may be responsive to weight loss and exercise, true gynecomastia typically requires surgical intervention to fully resolve. Regardless of which form of gynecomastia is present, male breast reduction surgery, also known as gynecomastia surgery, can be an effective option to improve the condition for a firmer, flatter chest appearance.
How is Male Breast Reduction Performed?
Prior to male breast reduction surgery, a physical exam will be completed along with a mammogram or ultrasound to diagnose the composition of the breast tissue and fat. Based on the results, a surgical plan is created to remedy the gynecomastia symptoms, usually involving an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. If breast enlargement is mainly due to fatty tissue (pseudogynecomastia), Dr. Hinojosa may solely use liposuction to remove the excess fat pockets via a thin suctioning tube to help recontour the chest area. For cases of true gynecomastia, incisions will be created to extract the glandular tissue and reshape the area for a more masculine look. In some cases, a combination of both excision and liposuction may be performed, along with nipple revision, for a more comprehensive result. Depending on the complexities of the procedure, surgery may take between one and three hours.
We welcome prospective patients to view our before-and-after photos of gynecomastia surgery results to better understand what to expect after the procedure.
What is Recovery Like After Gynecomastia Surgery?
The precise timeline for recovery after gynecomastia surgery may vary based on each individual and their unique surgical plan. Generally, patients can expect some degree of swelling and bruising around the incision sites, which will gradually resolve over the course of several weeks. Any discomfort is typically well-managed with prescribed oral medication. To aid in the recovery process, a compression garment will likely be recommended for several weeks to reduce swelling, protect the sutures, and help shape the newly defined chest contours. In most cases, patients can return to desk jobs and non-strenuous activities within one to two weeks but should avoid high-intensity workouts and heavy lifting for at least four to six weeks for a safe, effective recovery.
How Much Does Gynecomastia Surgery Cost?
The average cost of gynecomastia surgery at the Coastal Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Center is approximately $9,000-10,000, including all associated fees. However, the final cost can vary by each individual’s treatment plan. Once a personal consultation has been completed with Dr. Hinojosa, our team will provide a more precise estimate of potential costs based on your unique needs. Additionally, our practice offers financing with reputable third-party healthcare lenders, PatientFi® and CareCredit®, to help qualified applicants pay for their gynecomastia procedure in a series of affordable installments.
(1) This estimate is based on statistics reported by actual gynecomastia surgery patients on RealSelf.com
Schedule a Consultation
To learn more about gynecomastia surgery, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hinojosa, please contact Coastal Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Center today.
