80% of men who ask about gynecomastia surgery have pseudogynecomastia — excess chest fat, not glandular tissue. The two look similar but require completely different treatment. Dr. Hwang diagnoses which one you have before any surgical decision is made.
The most important distinction in men's chest surgery. The self-test below takes 30 seconds. It's not a diagnosis — but it tells you what type of assessment Dr. Hwang will prioritize at your consultation.
Press firmly behind your nipple/areola. You feel a firm, rubbery disc of tissue — distinct from the surrounding fat. May be tender. Often asymmetric. → Glandular excision required
Press the same area. It feels soft throughout — no distinct lump, no rubbery disc. The tissue is uniform. Usually symmetric. → Liposuction only
Note: many men have mixed type — glandular tissue with surrounding fat accumulation. Dr. Hwang's assessment distinguishes the ratio to plan the appropriate surgical approach.
Dr. Hwang grades every gynecomastia case before recommending treatment. Grade determines technique, recovery time, and cost. Below is a plain-English guide to each grade.
Press firmly behind your nipple. If you feel a firm, rubbery disc of tissue under the areola, that's glandular gynecomastia. If it's soft throughout with no distinct lump, it's likely pseudogynecomastia (fat). The distinction determines surgery type — liposuction only vs. glandular excision.
Pubertal gynecomastia (onset 13–17) often resolves within 2 years. Drug-induced gynecomastia resolves when the offending drug is stopped. Persistent gynecomastia (2+ years) with glandular tissue almost never resolves without surgical excision.
Grade 1 (liposuction only): $1,111 / ₩1.5M. Grade 2–3 (liposuction + excision): $2,222 / ₩3M. Grade 4 (skin tightening): $3,704 / ₩5M. 50–70% less than equivalent procedures in the US or UK.
Consultation day 1, surgery day 2, dressing check day 7. Minimum stay: 7–10 days. Compression garment worn 4 weeks post-op. Remote follow-up with Dr. Hwang via WhatsApp after returning home.
Performed under local anesthesia + sedation. Pain level post-op: 3–4/10 for Grade 1–2, 5–6/10 for Grade 3–4 during first 48 hours. Managed with oral analgesics. Most patients return to light work in 5–7 days.
Dr. Hwang can give an initial grade assessment (Grade 1–4) from photos shared via WhatsApp. This is not a formal diagnosis, but it tells you which surgical approach to expect and gives you a cost estimate before booking travel to Busan.
Gynecomastia is classified Grade 1–4. Grade 1 (minor): medication may help. Grades 2–4: surgical removal is the only permanent solution. 80% of men who think they have gynecomastia actually have pseudogynecomastia (fat, not gland) — Dr. Hwang's physical examination confirms which type within 5 minutes. Same-day diagnosis available via WhatsApp photo assessment.
The Simon grading system is used at Busan Men's Health Clinic to determine the appropriate treatment for each patient. Grade determines surgical technique, anaesthesia type, and recovery timeline.
| Grade | Description | Skin Excess | Recommended Treatment | USD Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | Minor — Puffy nipple only | None | Periareolar excision (local) | $800–$1,100 |
| Grade 2A | Moderate — Tissue beyond areola | None | Excision + liposuction (sedation) | $1,400–$1,800 |
| Grade 2B | Moderate — Mild skin excess | Mild | Extended periareolar approach | $1,800–$2,400 |
| Grade 3 | Severe — Significant skin excess | Significant | Inverted-T or vertical scar | $2,600–$3,600 |
Pricing above is all-in: anaesthesia, operating room, post-operative follow-up included. No hidden fees. USD pricing confirmed in writing before any procedure is scheduled.
True gynecomastia is firm, disc-shaped breast tissue located directly beneath the nipple-areolar complex. It is glandular, does not disappear with weight loss, and requires surgical excision.
Pseudogynecomastia is fatty tissue without any glandular component. It looks similar but feels soft and diffuse. Treatment is liposuction alone — no gland excision required, which means less incision and faster recovery.
Mixed gynecomastia has both components — the most common presentation in Dr. Hwang's series. Both excision and liposuction are required.
Pinch test: standing upright, pinch the tissue behind your nipple between thumb and forefinger. If you feel a firm, rubbery disc — likely true gland. If it feels soft and you can pinch only fat — likely pseudo. Send a photo to Dr. Hwang for a preliminary assessment within 24 hours.
Dr. Hwang has assessed 3,000+ gynecomastia cases. The vast majority of remote photo assessments are accurate enough to confirm grade and recommend treatment before your flight.
Send Photos for Free Grade Assessment →Gynecomastia is caused by a hormone imbalance — specifically an elevated oestrogen-to-testosterone ratio. Dr. Hwang's first consultation screens all seven recognised causes, because some are reversible without surgery.
Hormonal fluctuation during puberty causes 70% of cases. Most resolve within 1–2 years. Those persisting beyond age 18 will not self-resolve.
Anabolic steroids, spironolactone, ketoconazole, proton pump inhibitors, cannabis — all can cause gynecomastia. Discontinuing the drug may resolve mild cases.
Liver cirrhosis and chronic kidney disease alter hormone metabolism. Dr. Hwang orders liver function tests in relevant cases before surgery.
Elevated thyroid hormone increases oestrogen conversion. Thyroid function test is included in Dr. Hwang's pre-operative panel for Grade 2+ cases.
Primary or secondary hypogonadism creates the oestrogen excess that drives gland formation. TRT may be discussed alongside surgery.
Adrenal or testicular tumours secreting oestrogen are rare but must be excluded. Dr. Hwang orders HCG and oestradiol levels in atypical presentations.
Dr. Hwang's pre-op panel for Grade 2+ includes: total testosterone, free testosterone, LH, FSH, prolactin, oestradiol, liver function tests. Abnormal results are reviewed before surgery is scheduled — not after.
Send front and 45-degree profile photos to Dr. Hwang at +82-51-715-7553. Receive preliminary grade assessment and indicative USD pricing within 24 hours. No commitment required.
20-minute video call with Dr. Hwang directly in English. Review photos, discuss medical history, contraindications, medications. Dr. Hwang confirms grade and recommends technique.
On arrival at 8F Seongwon Building, Dr. Hwang performs palpation examination (5 minutes). Final grade confirmed. Bloodwork ordered if indicated. Written surgical plan issued.
Technique, anaesthesia type, OR time, expected discharge time, fly-home clearance, and fixed all-in USD price — issued in writing on the same day. Surgery can be scheduled as soon as next day.
| Assessment | Tool | What It Determines |
|---|---|---|
| Tissue palpation | Manual examination | True vs. pseudo; Grade 1–4 |
| Nipple-areola mapping | Visual + manual | Incision placement |
| Skin elasticity | Manual pinch | Skin reduction required? |
| Hormone panel (if indicated) | Blood draw | Reversible cause present? |
| Body weight/composition | Visual + BMI | Liposuction component required? |
If a reversible cause (drug-induced, pubertal, hormone imbalance) is identified and the condition is recent-onset, Dr. Hwang may recommend a 6-month observation period before surgery. This is in your interest — not a sales tactic.
From Dr. Hwang's 3,000+ case series (2008–2024). All complications are graded using the Clavien-Dindo classification.
| Complication | Rate | Management | Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seroma (fluid collection) | 3.2% | Aspiration in clinic | Day 7–14 |
| Haematoma (minor) | 1.1% | Aspiration or compression | Day 3–5 |
| Wound infection | 0.4% | Oral antibiotics 7 days | Full resolution |
| Asymmetry (minor) | 1.8% | Observation; revision if >6 months | 3–6 months |
| Nipple sensation change (temporary) | 4.7% | Observation | Week 6–12 |
| Scarring beyond periareolar | 0.3% | Scar therapy | 3–6 months |
| Revision required | 1.6% | Re-excision at no charge | Scheduled at 6 months |
Revision policy: Dr. Hwang performs revision surgery at no additional surgical fee within 12 months of the original procedure if the outcome is demonstrably below the agreed surgical plan. OR costs only.
Korean medical advertising law prohibits publishing identifiable before/after photographs without regulatory approval. The following describes typical outcomes from Dr. Hwang's series without identifying individual patients.
Nipple remains fully sensitive. Final contour visible at 3 months when swelling fully resolves. Satisfaction rate: 94% at 12 months.
Flat masculine chest contour. Skin contracts naturally over 3–6 months. Satisfaction rate: 92% at 12 months.
Slightly longer periareolar incision. Skin contraction visible at 4–6 months. Satisfaction rate: 90% at 12 months.
Significant ptosis correction achieved. Scarring fades to silver line at 12 months. Satisfaction rate: 87% at 12 months.