It is only as bad as you personally see it! Some people can deal with gynecomastia very well others can not. As you said, the cost is very high and that makes it very difficult for some to get surgery!
I am one of the old timers here on the forum. I had gynecomastia as a teen, but we didn't know what it was back then. I had it the 11 years I was in the service, I had it while I had my own business and raised my family! I fathered 5, I'm a grandfather of 5 so it never stopped me and now at 60 I require a 46H bra for support!
So, gynecomastia is only as bad as you allow it to be!
Good luck with what ever you do!
Bob