How Much Does Gynecomastia Surgery Cost? Type-Specific Features and Insurance Eligibility

👨‍⚕️What Is Gynecomastia?

Male breast enlargement (female-type breast development, hereinafter referred to as breast enlargement) is a condition in which, despite being male, various causes lead to the development of glandular tissue like a woman’s, or enlargement of the nipples and breasts, resulting in a female-like chest shape.

Because this condition is not simply the accumulation of fat, it is difficult to improve completely with diet or exercise alone.

If symptoms persist, they can also interfere with normal social life by causing psychological distress or social avoidance.

The main causes include the following:

• Hormonal imbalance: when female hormones are secreted in excess during adolescence, old age, and similar periods

• Obesity: when estrogen is secreted within fat cells

• Medication side effects: when taking certain medications such as steroids or hair loss treatments

• Endocrine disorders: abnormal hormone function caused by endocrine disease

🧩 Types of Male Breast Enlargement and Self-Check Methods

Breast enlargement is broadly divided into true gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia depending on the degree of proliferation of glandular tissue.

True type: a case in which glandular tissue has developed due to causes such as the development of female hormones. The nipples are often noticeably protruding or large.

Pseudo type: a case in which glandular tissue has not developed, but there is a large amount of fat around the chest; this is also called fatty gynecomastia.

A first-round check can be done through self-assessment.

• The chest is large or developed like a woman’s

• The area around the nipples is raised or large

• The chest does not shrink even with diet or exercise

• The area around the nipples feels hard or a lump can be felt (higher likelihood of the true type)

• The degree of development differs between the two sides of the chest

💰 Gynecomastia Surgery Cost

The cost of gynecomastia surgery for breast enlargement can vary greatly depending on the severity of symptoms and whether health insurance applies.

The total cost, including the gynecomastia surgery price (examination + surgery), is usually expected to be around 3 million won, but this is an average figure and may vary depending on the individual’s condition and non-covered items.

The factors that make up the gynecomastia surgery cost are as follows:

Cost of detailed ultrasound examination: This is essential for objectively confirming the presence and amount of glandular tissue, as well as the distribution of surrounding fat, before surgery. This cost is incurred separately regardless of whether health insurance applies.

Surgery cost: This varies depending on which methods are combined, such as gland excision, liposuction, and skin-tightening procedures.

The surgery is performed to remove glandular tissue while minimizing scarring as much as possible, and if there is excess fat, liposuction is performed as well to create a flat, firm chest.

• Surgery cost when health insurance applies: If the condition is recognized as true gynecomastia and health insurance is applied, the surgery cost itself is set the same across hospitals, greatly reducing the overall gynecomastia surgery cost. The ultrasound examination fee, which is a non-covered item, is separate.

Therefore, to know the exact gynecomastia surgery cost, a detailed ultrasound examination at a medical institution and a diagnosis of your condition must come first.

📝 Which Types Are Eligible for Insurance Coverage?

Health insurance and actual expense insurance benefits apply only when the condition is diagnosed as true gynecomastia.

It must be recognized as treatment rather than for cosmetic purposes.

The general criteria for health insurance coverage are as follows:

Diagnosis of true gynecomastia:

On ultrasound, actual proliferation of glandular tissue must be confirmed.

Pseudo type, which is simply fatty tissue, is not covered.

Simon grade:

After a detailed diagnosis, insurance coverage is often possible when the condition is judged to be true gynecomastia of Simon Grade 2A or higher.

For actual expense insurance, whether benefits are paid and the scope of coverage vary depending on the individual policy, so the detailed applicability should be discussed with the insurance company you are enrolled with based on the diagnosis certificate.

To receive insurance coverage for the gynecomastia surgery cost,

you must secure objective evidence through an ultrasound examination that glandular tissue has developed.

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