Liposuction has many amazing benefits, including physical, psychological and health benefits that might surprise!
February 15, 2026
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Do not fall victim to dubious marketing claims in Singapore that advertise non-invasive treatments as an effective solution to treat enlarged male breasts or gynecomastia.
Surgical intervention is the only medically proven solution to tackle gynecomastia, as you would need to physically excise the enlarged breast tissues.
Gynecomastia in male teenagers
Gyno is most common in teenagers aged 10 to 16.
In general, the condition will naturally regress within 6 months to 2 years, although it may persist beyond age 17.
Cause of gynecomastia in adult men
Adult gynecomastia usually occurs in those with genetic or hormonal issues, anabolic steroid abuse or pathological causes, meaning the medical condition is due to the side effects of taking certain medications or weight.
However, for most, the cause is idiopathic.
Gynecomastia surgery benefits
Not only does gynecomastia surgery remove the enlarged male tissues, but it also restores self-esteem and improves body confidence.
According to Dr Ivan Puah, gynecomastia surgery is recommended to:
- Investigate any suspicious breast lesions: Extracted tissues are sent for histological evaluation.
- Alleviate symptomatic gynecomastia: Reduce pain, physical discomfort and breast swelling.
- Reconstruct male breast contour.
Gynecomastia surgery can effectively remove bilateral or unilateral gynecomastia and correct protruding or prominent areolas.
Gynecomastia Insurance & MediSave Coverage & Claim in Singapore
As stated in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons'Surgeons's Recommended Insurance Coverage Criteria for Third-Party Payers, which is used as a benchmark by most insurance companies to assess gynecomastia claims in Singapore and internationally, the recommended gynecomastia insurance claim for adolescents and adults varies, as per below:
Recommended Gynecomastia Insurance Coverage & Claim Criteria For Adolescents
1. Breast biopsy is indicated when malignancy is suspected
2. Unilateral or bilateral grade III or IV gynecomastia present
- persists more than 3 to 4 months after pathological causes are ruled out,
- continues after 3 to 4 months of unsuccessful medical treatment for pathological gynecomastia
3. Pain and discomfort due to the distention and tightness from the hypertrophied breast. The prolonged presence of breast enlargement in the patient leads to the development of periductal fibrosis and stromal hyalinisation, preventing regression of breast tissue and causing pain and discomfort.
Recommended Gynecomastia Insurance Coverage & Criteria For Adults
1. Breast biopsy is indicated when malignancy is suspected
2. Unilateral or bilateral grade III or IV gynecomastia present
- persists more than 3 to 4 months after pathological causes are ruled out,
- continues after 3 to 4 months of unsuccessful medical treatment for pathological gynecomastia
3. Pain and discomfort due to the distention and tightness from the hypertrophied breast. The prolonged presence of breast enlargement in the patient leads to the development of periductal fibrosis and stromal hyalinisation, preventing regression of breast tissue and causing pain and discomfort.
Gynecomastia Surgery MediSave Claims
Singapore Citizens (SC) and Permanent Residents (PR) can use MediSave to claim the costs of gynecomastia surgery in Singapore, depending on the condition's cause, severity, and symptoms.
Gynecomastia Surgery Insurance Claims in Singapore
Thinking about gynecomastia surgery and wondering if insurance can help foot the bill? You're not alone. Many men ask this question.
Here's the thing—insurance companies don't cover surgery just because you want a flatter chest. They need to see it's medically necessary. That means your gynecomastia isn't just about looks; it's affecting your health.
What Insurers Actually Want to See
To stand a chance at coverage, your doctor needs to build a proper medical case.
Here's what that typically includes:
- A proper physical exam: Not just a quick look. The doctor will need to carry out a detailed assessment, assess the glandular tissue and grade the severity.
- Proof of physical symptoms: Are you dealing with tenderness? Pain? Skin rubbing or irritation? Inform your doctor during the consultation and assessment.
- How it messes with your daily life: Does it stop you from exercising? Make you avoid certain shirts? Affect your movement? The insurers will need to know how much gynecomastia is affecting you and your quality of life.
- Blood tests and scans: Sometimes they need to check hormone levels (testosterone, oestrogen) or use imaging, such as an ultrasound, to rule out other issues. It's about proving what's really going on.
- Photos: Clinical before photos from different angles for the insurance assessor to see the severity with their own eyes.
- A proper surgical plan: Not just "cut it out." The doctor will need to outline exactly what he plans to do, why, and how it'll help, not just your reflection, but your comfort and quality of life.
If your gynecomastia is causing real physical problems—pain, skin issues, limited movement—then surgery isn't cosmetic. It's a medical condition.
Other subsidies for gynecomastia surgery cost in Singapore
Unfortunately, the CHAS card (Community Health Assist Scheme) does not cover subsidies for gynecomastia surgery, including related doctors' consultations.
This includes all the cardholder subsidy tiers, such as CHAS Blue, Orange, and Green, as well as Pioneer Generation (PG) and Merdeka Generation (MG) seniors.
How much does gynecomastia surgery cost in Singapore?
The cost of gynecomastia surgery in Singapore typically starts at SGD $4,500++, depending on the doctor you choose, as each doctor's experience, skills, and the cases they work on differ.
Experience of a gynecomastia surgery doctor
The cost of gynecomastia surgery is influenced by the doctor's experience.
A highly experienced doctor may handle complex cases and have a track record of successfully correcting previous botched jobs. Therefore, the cost reflects the doctor's experience and skill level.
The complexity of the gynecomastia case
The complexity of the surgery depends on the gynecomastia grade, gland size, fat layers, and skin laxity.
At Amaris B. Clinic, gynecomastia surgery is tailored to your clinical condition and the desired outcome.
Other factors that will influence the gynecomastia surgery cost in Singapore
Other fees will also include:
- the type of facility (day surgery or hospital)
- type of anaesthesia (general anaesthesia or local anaesthesia)
- type of surgical technique and technology used
- consumables
- medications
- post-operative follow-up, etc
Don't let the low cost of gynecomastia surgery cloud your judgment
In the last decade, Dr Puah has treated a growing number of patients seeking help for botched gynecomastia surgeries, both from local procedures and from those performed overseas, such as in South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand.
Many patients have come to him for corrective gyno surgery after experiencing dissatisfactory results and complications such as skin irregularities and excessive male breast tissue removal, leading to crater deformities, insufficient glandular tissue removal or incomplete removal.
"Corrective gynecomastia surgery is often more complex and more intricate than the initial procedure. It requires a doctor with specific expertise, skillset and experience to address both the aesthetic and functional issues caused by the botched surgery," shares Dr Ivan Puah, an MOH-accredited liposuction doctor who has been performing gynecomastia surgery for over 20 years.
To successfully address the damage from a botched surgery is a meticulous process that demands precision and skills to restore the chest's natural appearance and function, making gyno corrective surgery a complex and time-consuming process.
Dr Ivan Puah, a gynecomastia surgery doctor with high patient satisfaction since 2004
Dr Ivan Puah has received dedicated surgical training in gynecomastia surgery in the United States of America. He also serves as the Chairman of the Lipo Peer Review Committee in Singapore.
Dr Puah has developed a proprietary gynecomastia approach, the 360°GTD® technique for gynecomastia surgery, and the MDC-Sculpt® Lipo technique for liposuction.
Patients treated with 360°GTD® do not require suction drainage, which typically leaves ugly scars and increases the risks of infection post-op.
For accurate pricing and eligibility for gynecomastia insurance and MediSave claims in Singapore, book a private consultation with Dr Puah now!
