How Much Does Gynecomastia Surgery Cost?

The average cost of gynecomastia surgery is $6,075, according to hundreds of patient reviews on RealSelf, but the price can range as high as $15,000 for complex procedures.

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

For many men, gynecomastia surgery can be life-changing. In fact, it has a 93% Worth It Rating from reviewers who have undergone the procedure. Results of this procedure can be permanent for those who maintain a stable weight. 

Read on to find out when insurance ever covers male breast reduction, why prices vary, and what to look for in a total cost quote.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Gynecomastia Surgery

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What does the total cost include?

During your initial consultation with a prospective surgeon, they will recommend a gynecomastia treatment plan. That’s the best time to ask for a detailed, personalized cost quote that includes:

• The surgeon’s fee ($4,239 on average, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons)
• 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 costs?

In most cases, gynecomastia surgery is not covered by health insurance because it’s considered cosmetic surgery. 

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

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, doctors’ notes, 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.

Why does the cost of gynecomastia surgery vary?

The price you pay for your 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 expertise 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 Beverly Hills plastic surgeonDr. Jaime S. Schwartz.

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. 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 plan 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.
• If you also need excess skin removal, your surgery could take up to three hours, which will increase 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 an 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 a patient has any underlying conditions.

Can you finance gynecomastia surgery?

Most practices offer monthly payment plans or accept financing options.

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