Affordable Gynecomastia Surgery Offered at a Teaching Hospital: Good Idea?

Question

There is a teaching hospital in my city which offers affordable plastic surgery, where I had a consultation with a resident who I really liked. If I choose to have surgery there, the resident would be supervised by a very well-known, board-certified NYC plastic surgeon during the surgery.

	Are the results that one gets from this type of setup comparable to those you would get in a non-teaching setting? Are there greater rates of complications when (supervised) residents perform your surgery?

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

This type of program have been around for many years.  It provides you with a way to afford surgery and it helps teach the resident how to perform the surgery.  This can be a win-win.  The surgery will be closely supervised by an experienced plastic surgeon.

However, if you are looking another approach with a seasoned plastic surgeon, the this cost 6 to 10 thousand dollar.  You must way out the risk and benefits.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.This is a unique opportunity for you in that you will get a discounted #gynecomastia #surgery price while allowing a young #surgeon the opportunity to learn.If you have major concerns, however, it is always a good idea to consult a #BoardCertified #PlasticSurgeon with experience in male breast surgery to make sure that gynecomastia surgery is right for you.

Tim Neavin, MD · Answer

At teaching hospitals the residents often do most of the work.  However, that doesn't mean you won't get a good result.  The attending physician should be present for key portions and oversee the result.

John Nguyen, MD, FACS · Answer

Having surgery at a training institution is a perfectly good option.  Your surgery is performed under the supervision of an experienced attending surgeon.  Most plastic surgery resident have spent many years training as general surgeons or ENT surgeons and therefore are already experienced surgeons to some degree.  Good luck and be safe.John T.
Nguyen, MD, FACS, FICSDouble Board
Certified Plastic Surgeon

Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD, FACS · Answer

Believe it or not, I would ask the resident to show you some of his or her before and after pictures. If none are provided, you are taking a slight risk with your results, but for the most part patients are very pleased at teaching hospitals.

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS · Answer

The cost off male breast reduction varies across the country and even in
 the same area. Prices in South Florida are less than more expensive 
cities such as Toronto, New York, or Los Angeles. We charge starting at 
$3000 + MD Anesthesia related expenses for male breast reduction. To
 ensure the lowest possible costs and the highest possible quality, 
consult with board certified plastic surgeon who owns his own nationally
 accredited surgery center. Consult with 3 experienced and expert board certified plastic surgeons to understand your options.

Sanjiv Kayastha, MD · Answer

This is a difficult question to answer. I think it comes down to the surgeon's experience who will be performing the surgery. In a teaching environment I think that this equals the resident's + the attending physican's experience with the procedure. Also, I think the level of supervision is very important. Ask if the attending physician will be present for the entire procedure and if they will actually be "scrubbed" in the case. If the attending has experience with gynecomastia surgery and will be actively involved in the case your chances of obtaining a good result are maximized.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

There are risks associated with any surgery. You have to weigh the pro's and con's of having the procedure performed at a teaching institute. Ask to see before and after photos from the surgeon who will perform your surgery as well as the proctor - Ask who will actually be performing the surgery and their experience with this specific procedure. If you get this information and are comfortable proceeding - go for it! Residents have to learn somehow and this is a good way for them to do so - but if you are concerned about your results and don't want someone without experience working on you, then you should go and consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. It's your call -- just make sure you have realistic expectations if you go with the teaching hospital for your surgery.

Mordcai Blau, MD · Answer

There is no substitution to experience.In this case of the attending physician that may or may not have experience with certain cases of gynecomastia.So always ask who is going to be the supervising attending surgeon,and see how much experience he has with gynecomastia surgery,especially the complex cases ,and what kind of surgery he intend to perform.You may get lucky,but you have to do your homework.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Interesting prespective on resident vs attending surgery. The resident is learning while the attending surgeon is teaching, that is why the fee difference. Thus the low complication rate is still very low but just by the force of experience there can be risks.

Affordable Gynecomastia Surgery Offered at a Teaching Hospital: Good Idea?

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