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?

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.

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.

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

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

Answers (10)

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

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

Answer: Surgery in teaching hospitals

Answer: Surgery in teaching hospitals

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Gynecomastia Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.