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Some say that men can be classified into two categories: butt guys or boob guys. Just to be clear, this is mostly in reference to their preference in women’s physical appearance, not their actual assets. Unfortunately the latter might also be applied to men.
One body issue a good number of men tend to struggle with is enlarged breasts or gynecomastia. It’s technically defined by the Mayo Clinic as the having an excess amount of breast gland tissues in men causing the breasts to become bigger and more pronounced.
In women, this is a normal occurrence due to their higher level of the hormone called estrogen. This is why it’s natural for women to have round and full breasts. While men also produce the estrogen hormone, it’s typically at low levels and not enough to cause breast gland tissues to expand. So in cases that estrogen production is higher, male breasts become enlarged.
Since estrogen production can be triggered by a lot of things, a lot of things can be attributed to gynecomastia. In most cases, it’s caused by age as children and teenagers are common sufferers of this condition. But since some ailments can also cause a spike in hormone production, they’re also believed to be normal reasons for breast enlargement in men.
Certain substances and medications can also cause men’s breasts to become larger. Some antibiotics, anti-androgens, antidepressants, steroids, as well as ulcer, cancer, heart, AIDS, and stomach-emptying medications can also trigger breast enlargement in men. This can explain why there are lots of men suffering from the condition.
Unfortunately, gynecomastia is an undesirable condition for males. Even with high numbers of sufferers which can reach up to 90% in children and 70% in men aged 50- 70, it’s still not seen as a normal thing by the general populace. As a result, it has a negative impact on a lot of folks’ body image. For men, breasts enhanced by pectoral muscles are more preferred. Having slightly large and soft breasts is just not deemed ideal.
This is why information on male breast reduction prices is sought after. Men want to deal with the issue head on and get rid of it in the most effective way. The procedure is proving to be in high demand as it is said to be amounting to about 40% of the total breast reduction procedures in the US.
If you find yourself facing the same concern, read on as this guide will tell you more about this breast reduction procedure.
What is a Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
Before going into the specifics of male breast reduction prices, it’s crucial to start from the beginning. Let’s discuss what the procedure is first.
A male breast reduction surgery is categorized as a cosmetic fat and glandular tissue removal procedure in the said area in order to create a flatter and firmer body contour. It’s a rather straightforward procedure so it’s offered to patients of all ages.
In most countries, however, male breast reduction surgeries are explored as a last resort for gynecomastia. Even if it’s guaranteed to be safe, it’s still a surgery, so many believe that it’s best to try out other measures first before going under the knife.
A lot of cases were adequately addressed through better diet and more exercise, losing weight, hormone treatments, a change of medications, and reducing alcohol intake. They require a bit more work but they have lower risks of complications so they’re recommended first. If the condition doesn’t respond to treatments, that’s usually the time when doctors suggest getting breast reduction surgery.
However, it can still be up to you whether you’d want to explore the possibility of getting breast reduction surgery. The condition can have a huge impact on one’s self-image which can damage self-esteem. In consequence to this, one’s relationships may greatly suffer as well.
In some cases, it can also cause not just emotional but also physical issues. As this condition can manifest in uneven breasts and a good dose of breast pain. So if a surgery seems like the best option for one’s case, it’s always worth looking into.
What’s Involved in a Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
How are male breast reduction surgeries carried out? It starts with the introduction of anesthesia to the patient’s system. General anesthesia is typically used but oral sedation and local anesthesia are also deemed suitable for the job.
The next step would be creating an incision around the nipple in order to gain access to the layers of tissue underneath. If the breasts are significantly large, a skin incision will be done. Surgeons will try to keep these incisions small so as to ensure faster recovery.
Once that’s achieved, the fatty tissues are excised with the use of scalpel or liposuction. In some instances, a combination of the two can also be used. However, if done separately, they will address different issues.
For example, if the breast reduction technique that is used is liposuction, it will not remove the glandular tissues. It will only take out the adipose tissues or fat in the area to reduce its size and prominence. If the mastectomy technique is used, gland tissues will be excised.
After removing the fatty tissues, the incision will be stitched up. The nipple might be repositioned in some instances depending on how the area looks. The surgeon will try to make the area operated on to look as natural as possible.
Male breast reduction surgeries are normally about an hour and a half long. It might take a bit longer depending on certain circumstances but it shouldn’t take too long. But because it’s still a full surgery, patients will need to rest after. Most folks had to spend at least a night at the hospital post-operation.
After the procedure, some draining might also be performed by the surgeon just to avoid fluid accumulation. While fluid collection under the skin is relatively normal after surgeries, it comes with risks of infection so they’re highly undesirable. The draining part will help prevent their occurrence.
The recovery period for a male breast reduction surgery can take a few weeks, especially if breast gland tissues were removed. Those who only needed liposuction are usually able to get back to work in just a little over a week.
Those who had a surgical procedure may need to wait 2 to 4 weeks before returning to their routines. Many can already do some light cardio in a week or two but should wait at least a month before weight training again, given that they are not experiencing any complications from the procedure.
During the recovery period, you will be required to wear an elasticated compression garment. This will help manage the swelling and encourage blood circulation for healing.
Possible Complications
Like other surgeries, there’s a number of possible complications that may stem from a breast reduction procedure. Infections, excessive bleeding, allergic reactions, and even blood clots can take place, again, like other surgeries. Scarring can also occur but they don’t always have to be very obvious.
What might be more unique to male breast reduction surgeries are unevenly shaped nipples or breasts, loss of nipple sensation, bruising, swelling, development of lumps, and wound-healing issues among others.
To lower the risks of complications, it’s important to choose your surgeon carefully and prepare for the procedure adequately. Work closely with your doctor and disclose the important information that they need to know to assess your condition fully.
Male Breast Reduction Prices
In 2019, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons placed the average cost of a male breast reduction surgery at $4,123. This cost is only for the procedure alone. Costs for anesthesia, operating room, and many other related expenses are not included yet. For final and exact figures, it’s best to talk to your doctor or surgeon as they can provide you more definite answers.
To give you a better idea of how much you’ll need to pay for a breast reduction surgery, consider the following points:
- More experienced surgeons will have bigger professional fees. You’ll be paying for their skills, so you can expect them to cost more. They can promise more desirable results, however, so they can still be worth the investment.
- The location of the surgery can also factor in on the price. If you wish to get the procedure in a major city with a high cost of living, you can also expect the prices for male breast reduction to be relatively high.
- The kind of procedure will also determine the price of your surgery.
On top of the procedure, you should also allot a budget for the costs that will come before and after the procedure. Consultations and tests will require a good amount of money and are highly necessary in order to learn if you’re a good candidate for the procedure or not. Prescription medications will also cost you some money after the procedure, so it’s best to be prepared for them as well.
Of course, your time is also another expense. You might need to take time off from work (if you’re working) in order to recover from the surgery so that can also cost you.
It’s important to be financially ready for this procedure because it’s categorized as a cosmetic one. Insurance will not cover the correction of gynecomastia so you might have to pay out of pocket for it.
However, you might still find something that can help you out in your insurance policy so make sure to still check. It would also be best to talk to your insurer about other possibilities for coverage. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ position paper on the criteria for reconstructive cases of gynecomastia can also help you out when making a case to your insurer.
If insurance won’t cover it and you can’t pay full price upfront, many clinics also offer financing plans. These are often designed to suit your needs and capabilities so they’re also worth considering. Some clinics even have information for this displayed in their websites so you don’t have to struggle in learning about them.
Male breast reduction prices can be quite steep but the costs can be worth it if it’s going to improve your quality of life significantly.
What You Need to Know About Gynecomastia and Male Breast Reduction Surgery
To further understand the condition that male breast reduction prices are out to solve, here are more facts about it:
Most cases of gynecomastia cannot be avoided.
Since the common cause of gynecomastia is the body’s hormone production, it’s not always possible to prevent the condition. Since estrogen is a naturally occurring hormone, there’s not much that can be done about it. However, for some adults, steps like avoiding certain medications and lifestyle activities can help.
Take great care in choosing a surgeon.
As mentioned above, the right surgeon will help you out greatly in addressing your enlarged breasts. They can ensure that you’re in good hands and guarantee the best results.
To find a good surgeon, do a lot of research. Look for recommendations online and ask around if your family and friends know anyone that they can refer you to. Most clinics will also have information on the surgeons they have onboard so make sure to look into that as well.
If anything feels wrong or you’re not happy with the results, get in touch with the clinic or hospital that you worked with.
If you feel something off during your recovery period post-op, do not hesitate in going back to the clinic or surgeon who handled your procedure. You shouldn’t try to rationalize or shrug off signs of unnecessary pain and other symptoms like redness, burning, or unusual swelling. Talk to your surgeon or the clinic as soon as you can once you experience such issues.
Some lumps could not be gynecomastia at all.
As gynecomastia can start out as a lump, seeing a doctor is the best first step to go about addressing the condition. In many cases, the lump will be checked if it’s a cancer before suggesting any treatment for it. This is why it’s important to see a doctor as soon as you see any symptoms of this condition.
