Male Breast Reduction (Gynaecomastia)
Overview
Gynaecomastia is enlargement of the male breast, caused by an excess of glandular tissue, fat, or both. Surgery removes the firm glandular tissue by excision and the surrounding fat by liposuction, flattening the chest contour. Because true gynaecomastia is glandular, it does not respond to exercise or weight loss — which is the single most common misunderstanding patients arrive with.
Benefits of this treatment
Flatter, firmer chest contour
Removes the glandular tissue and fat responsible for chest enlargement, restoring a typically male chest contour.
Relief from a common source of self-consciousness
One of the more common reasons men avoid swimming, changing rooms or fitted clothing.
Addresses what exercise cannot
True glandular gynaecomastia does not respond to diet or training, so surgery is often the only effective option.
Day-care procedure
Performed and recovered from without an overnight hospital stay in most cases.
How the procedure is performed
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1
15 minutes
Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia for comfort and safety.
-
2
30–45 minutes
Liposuction
Surrounding fat is removed first through small cannula incisions to soften and flatten the contour.
-
3
30–45 minutes
Gland excision
The firm glandular tissue, which liposuction cannot remove, is excised through a small incision at the areola edge.
-
4
15 minutes
Closure & compression
Incisions are closed and a compression vest is fitted to support the new contour.
Recovery and aftercare
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Days 1–3
Tightness and swelling
The chest feels bruised and tight; the compression vest is worn continuously.
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Week 1
Back to desk work
Most men return to non-physical work within a week.
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Weeks 2–4
Contour firming up
Swelling reduces and the flatter chest contour becomes clearer.
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Months 3–6
Final result
Remaining swelling resolves fully, revealing the final chest shape.
Risks and side effects
Contour irregularity
Minor asymmetry or unevenness can occur, particularly if one side had more glandular tissue than the other.
Numbness
Reduced nipple or chest sensation is common initially and usually improves over months.
Recurrence
Rare if the underlying cause (weight, hormones, medication) is controlled, but possible if it is not.
Rarer complications
- Haematoma or seroma — A collection of blood or fluid under the skin that occasionally needs drainage.
- Infection — Uncommon with sterile technique and appropriate aftercare.
- Skin retraction irregularity — In larger cases, skin may not fully retract, occasionally needing a secondary skin-tightening procedure.
What it costs
What affects the price
Grade of gynaecomastia
More advanced grades involving excess skin require more extensive surgery and cost more.
Liposuction-only vs excision
Cases needing gland excision (not just fat removal) involve more surgical time.
Skin excision needs
Significant skin laxity requiring removal adds complexity and cost.
Frequently asked questions
Not if the enlargement is glandular tissue rather than fat — this is why it persists despite weight loss and training, and why surgery is often the only effective correction.
Incisions are placed at the edge of the areola where possible, which heals to be minimally visible for most grades.
Recurrence is uncommon once the underlying cause is addressed, but ongoing steroid use or unmanaged hormonal conditions can cause it to return.
Usually once breast development has stabilised, typically from late teens onward, following a period of confirmed persistence rather than normal pubertal change.
Related
Treatments patients also consider
Face Lift Surgery
Repositioning of the deeper facial tissues and removal of lax skin to address sagging in the mid and lower face.
Breast Augmentation
Increasing breast size and improving shape using implants or fat transfer.
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