How Much Does Gynecomastia Surgery Cost?

The average cost of gynecomastia surgery is $8,475, according to hundreds of patient reviews. Price can range from $4,800 to as much as $15,000, based on factors like the complexity of the procedure, your surgeon’s credentials, and their geographic location.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) puts the average cost of male breast reduction (gynecomastia surgery) at $5,587, noting that this figure is the surgeon’s fee only: it doesn’t include anesthesia, facility fees, or related expenses.

Excess breast tissue in men is sometimes dismissed as “man boobs,” but gynecomastia is a real medical condition that can erode self-confidence and even make exercise difficult. 

For many men, gynecomastia surgery can be life-changing. In fact, it has a 94% Worth It Rating from patient reviewers on RealSelf. Results can be permanent for those who maintain a stable weight, though it’s always important to have realistic expectations about the outcome.

Read on to find out:

• what to look for in a total cost quote
• if insurance covers male breast reduction
• why prices vary for this cosmetic procedure

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Gynecomastia Surgery

What an all-in price quote should include

During your initial in-person consultation with a prospective surgeon, they will recommend a gynecomastia treatment plan. They should also provide a detailed, personalized cost quote that includes:

• The surgeon’s fee
• Anesthesia fees
• Facility fees for the hospital or private surgery center
• The cost of any lab work or medical tests
• Pre-op and follow-up appointments

Also ask if you’ll need to buy any prescription medications or recovery supplies, such as a compression garment to reduce swelling while you heal. If those costs aren’t included in your doctor’s detailed estimate, ask how much more you'll need to factor into your total budget.

Does insurance cover gynecomastia surgery?

In most cases, gynecomastia surgery is not covered by health insurance because it’s considered cosmetic surgery, so you’ll likely be paying out-of-pocket.

However, there are situations where the surgery is deemed medically necessary—“reconstructive” rather than cosmetic—which makes it eligible for insurance coverage.

Every policy has different eligibility requirements, but to get your procedure approved, you and your doctor will need to demonstrate that your gynecomastia is related to a serious medical condition. You may need to provide test results, imaging evidence (X-rays or other scans), doctors’ notes (with glandular breast tissue measurements), and other documentation to support your claim.

When determining whether to cover male breast reduction costs, some insurance companies even consider its impact on mental health.

Medicaid plans in some U.S. states cover gynecomastia surgery if you provide medical documentation showing that: 

• the excessive tissue is glandular (not fatty) 
• other causes like obesity, adolescence, medications, alcohol, or illicit drugs (like anabolic steroids) have been ruled out 
• your body mass index (BMI) is less than or equal to than 30 
• you have a documented history of significant symptoms due to the gynecomastia that haven’t been resolved by other treatments 

Ask your insurance provider for their specific guidelines.

Also keep in mind that if they approve your coverage, they may also require you to choose an in-network surgeon and have the procedure performed in a hospital operating room.

Why gynecomastia surgery costs vary

The price you pay for this outpatient procedure will depend on these factors.

1. Your surgeon’s credentials and level of experience

An experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in male breast reduction surgery will charge more for their time and skill than one with less training or only a few years in practice.

It can be tempting to go with a surgeon who quotes the lowest male breast reduction cost, but while this procedure is considered very safe in experienced hands, the quality of your results will depend heavily on your surgeon’s technique. 

An inexperienced provider could leave you with nerve damage to the areolas, visible scarring from poorly placed incisions, asymmetry, or contour irregularities. Some of these issues can be corrected with revision surgery or other treatments (at additional expense), but nerve damage can be permanent. 

For the best chance of having a safe procedure with the best possible result, seek out a surgeon who specializes in aesthetic and restorative plastic surgery and frequently performs gynecomastia treatment, advises Dr. Jaime S. Schwartz, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills.

Look for a provider with a strong track record of positive patient reviews and an extensive before and after photo gallery.

2. Their practice location

Most surgeons practicing in areas with high costs of living have to charge more, just to cover their overhead and higher salaries for their staff. This is especially true if they have a luxury practice in a desirable part of town, where rents are steep. 

If you’re looking for ways to save, it can be worthwhile to consult with a qualified provider (or more than one) with a relatively modest practice. It may even be worth considering traveling out of state.

3. Where your surgery is performed

Having your procedure done in your doctor’s private surgery center will probably carry a lower facility fee than a hospital operating room. 

In cases where insurance covers the cost of male breast reduction, they may insist on the procedure being performed at a hospital versus private surgical facility. In that situation, at least a portion of that expense should be offset by your insurance coverage, but it’s worth asking in advance.

4. The complexity of your procedure.

This surgical procedure removes enlarged breast tissue caused by hormonal imbalances, to create a more masculine chest contour. 

Depending on your situation, your surgeon may need to remove excess glandular tissue, fat, and/or skin. Your treatment options will have a big impact on your final bill:

• Liposuction to remove excess fat is the most affordable scenario.
• A combination of lipo and glandular excision is more expensive.
• Severe cases may also require excess skin removal, and could take up to three hours, increasing your total cost.

5. The type of anesthesia you have and who administers it

Gynecomastia surgery can be done under general anesthesia (so you’re fully unconscious) or local anesthesia with an oral or IV sedative. During your consultation, discuss your preferences, taking into account the extent of your procedure. 

Local anesthesia with oral sedation can be administered by your surgeon or a trained member of their staff, which could save you thousands of dollars. 

General anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation both have to be administered by an additional provider: either a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) or a board-certified anesthesiologist (an MD). CRNAs charge a lower fee for their time, but some surgeons prefer to work with an anesthesiologist to increase safety, especially if gynecomastia patients have underlying medical conditions or healthcare concerns.

Can you finance gynecomastia surgery?

Most practices offer monthly payment plans or accept financing options. For example, the CareCredit credit card is widely accepted by providers across the U.S., for both plastic surgery and nonsurgical treatments.

Gynecomastia surgery costs in U.S. states

Browse average gynecomastia surgery costs and ranges by state, according to the 196 most recent RealSelf reviews as of March 2023. (Note: States not included don't have enough recent data to display.)

Gynecomastia surgery costs in major U.S. metros