Gynecomastia / Liposuction - are these two procedures completely separate?

Hello and thank you for your question.
Gynecomastia can be treated with liposuction, direct excision or a combination of the two procedures. It really depends on your physical findings. If most of the soft tissue fullness in your chest area is due to fatty tissue, then liposuction alone may suffice. Direct excision alone would be appropriate if the fullness is caused by excessive glandular breast tissue. Most cases of gynecomastia are secondary to a combination of excess glandular tissue and fatty tissue, and therefore a combination of direct excision and liposuction often gives the best results. In my practice, I typically use VASER liposuction. For best results, you should consult with a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Thanks for your question. At my practice, I perform both procedures at the same time. It depends on the preference of your surgeon. I recommend scheduling a consult for a proper evaluation. Please always consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Take care, Dr. Moises Salama, board certified plastic surgeon.

Thanks for submitting your questions! Some practices may itemize quotes differently based on their own policies or by the request of surgery centers where the procedure is done. Typically, gynecomastia surgery involves liposuction of the chest for contouring, PLUS direct excision of glandular tissue beneath the nipple/areola. Our practice, for example, does not separate these procedures. However, if a patient requires additional liposuction outside of the normal range usually done, then additional liposuction charges may be appropriate. If they require liposuction of the upper abdomen or extensive lipo to the sides of the chest, then an additional liposuction charge would be appropriate. I hope this helps! Good luck and thanks for reaching out.

Surgical treatment of gynecomastia may require liposuction, resection of glandular tissue, or both. The costs for the procedures with vary accordingly. Some surgeons will bundle their fees and others will quote them separately. There is no rule or consensus as to how this should be billed/charged.

It can be separate charges depending on the specific areas targeted. Because each surgeon sets their ow pricing, it would be a good idea to ask your surgeon about the details of your quote.

(No photos - unable to give an accurate opinion for you) But gynecomastia can have different levels and depending on severity and fatty vs. glandular tissue - are the different things the surgeon will have to access to give you an idea what they need to do. As far as cost and quoting, usually the more we have to do, the higher the cost due to cost of everything (more anesthesia, more facility use, etc) - and if there is fatty tissue that can be lipo'd versus glandular tissue that needs to be excised (cut out) - usually there's both (and sometimes there is also a degree of skin excision too to remove the lower pole excess skin). Speak to your surgeon about the break down and the assessment.

Great question! Gynecomastia surgery and liposuction are related but can be considered separate procedures, especially in how they're performed and what they target.
Here’s the breakdown:
• Gynecomastia surgery typically involves the removal of excess glandular breast tissue. This often requires a small incision to directly excise the firm breast tissue that can’t be removed by liposuction alone.
• Liposuction of the chest targets excess fatty tissue. Since gynecomastia often involves both glandular tissue and fatty tissue, surgeons sometimes perform liposuction to remove the fat and contour the chest, combined with gland excision for the firm tissue.
So yes, it’s very common to see two separate quotes
• One for the glandular tissue removal (the actual "gynecomastia surgery" part), and
• One for liposuction to sculpt the chest and remove fatty deposits.
Some surgeons include both in a single procedure with one combined fee, but others quote separately because they’re technically different steps and sometimes billed separately based on complexity, OR time, or techniques used.
Bottom line: If you have both fatty and glandular tissue causing the chest enlargement, it’s normal to have both procedures done and quoted separately.

Some people don’t need open glandular excision, and Liposuction alone it will be sufficient.
When direct excision of glandular breast tissue is needed it is often an added procedure.
Each plastic surgeon will do price quotes their own way.
The bottom line price is what matters.
It doesn’t really matter if they give you a single higher price or separated into two procedures what matters is the total cost of having the operation done.
Make sure you understand your candidacy for the procedure.
Provider selection is probably also something to consider.
I generally recommend patients have several consultations before selecting a provider.
There are three components that impact the look of the male chest.
These are excess subcutaneous, fat, excess glandular breast, tissue and skin, laxative or loss of skin elasticity.
Patients who have a history of weight loss or or slightly older, may not get the results they’re hoping for because of skin laxity or loss of skin elasticity.
Failing to cut out glandular tissue when it’s indicated will also give a limited outcome.
Without pictures we can’t begin to make an assessment.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom MD