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

  1. 1 15 minutes

    Anaesthesia

    General anaesthesia for comfort and safety.

  2. 2 30–45 minutes

    Liposuction

    Surrounding fat is removed first through small cannula incisions to soften and flatten the contour.

  3. 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. 4 15 minutes

    Closure & compression

    Incisions are closed and a compression vest is fitted to support the new contour.

Recovery and aftercare

  1. Days 1–3

    Tightness and swelling

    The chest feels bruised and tight; the compression vest is worn continuously.

  2. Week 1

    Back to desk work

    Most men return to non-physical work within a week.

  3. Weeks 2–4

    Contour firming up

    Swelling reduces and the flatter chest contour becomes clearer.

  4. 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

Thread Lift

A non-surgical lifting treatment using dissolvable threads to support sagging skin.

30 – 60 minutes 2 – 5 days downtime

Gigantomastia Surgery

Surgery for extreme, rapidly-developing breast enlargement causing significant physical symptoms.

3 – 5 hours 2 – 3 weeks downtime

Liposuction

Removal of localised fat deposits to reshape body contour.

1 – 3 hours depending on areas 3 – 7 days downtime

Next step

Considering Male Breast Reduction (Gynaecomastia)?

Book a consultation and get a straight answer on whether this is right for you, what it involves, and what it will cost. No obligation to proceed.

  • A private, unhurried assessment with the surgeon
  • An honest view of what is realistically achievable
  • A written quote with no hidden costs
  • Complete confidentiality

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