Gynecomastia surgery · Male breast reduction
Gynecomastia surgery: Compare practices from our network
Gynecomastia surgery removes excess gland tissue, fat and sometimes skin from the male chest. It starts with finding out what the fullness is made of, and why it's there.
Our network
Gynecomastia surgery providers from Adoreal's partner network.
Malmö · Sweden
Reformkliniken
Liposuction, gland removal or both under general anesthesia, with a follow-up within a week to check healing.
Malmö · Sweden
Reformkliniken
Liposuction, gland removal or both under general anesthesia, with a follow-up within a week to check healing.
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How to choose a gynecomastia surgeon
Board certification is the starting point. The details below are worth weighing carefully when you're choosing the surgeon who's right for your goals.
Here's what to look for before you decide:
A good surgeon works out what the fullness is made of.
Fat, firm gland tissue and loose skin each call for a different technique. Liposuction alone only works when the fullness is mainly fat. A surgeon worth trusting examines you, explains what they find, and asks whether an underlying cause has been checked.
A natural contour matters more than removing as much as possible.
The goal is a chest that looks proportionate, not hollowed out or overly tight. Ask how the surgeon keeps smooth transitions and a natural nipple position, and how they avoid a sunken look under the nipple.
The best surgeons are straight with you about skin and scars.
Liposuction leaves small scars and gland removal a scar at the edge of the areola, but loose skin may need removing too, which means longer scars. A surgeon who tells you that up front is giving you what you need to decide.
Transparency about your plan and expectations is non-negotiable.
Your surgeon should be comfortable documenting the technique, where the scars will sit, how long you'll wear a compression vest, and what recovery looks like week by week, and sharing that with you in writing.
Before your consultation, prepare this question
“Is my chest mostly gland, fat or skin, and what does that mean for the technique and my scars?”
A surgeon who answers directly, rather than deflecting, is one who puts your outcome above the booking.
Find a Gynecomastia Surgery ProviderAbout the treatment
About gynecomastia surgery
Gynecomastia is the enlargement of breast tissue in men and boys. It can affect one or both sides, and it's common. Gynecomastia surgery, also called male breast reduction, removes the excess tissue to create a flatter chest.
The technique depends on what the fullness is made of. Where it is mainly fat, liposuction may be enough. Firm gland tissue has to be cut out (excised), usually through a small incision at the edge of the areola. Most operations combine the two.
In more pronounced cases, the weight of the tissue can stretch the skin and the areola. Excess skin can then be removed, and the areola made smaller or moved higher, at the same time.
What is gynecomastia surgery?
Gynecomastia is the enlargement of breast tissue in men and boys, on one or both sides. Surgery removes excess gland tissue, fat and sometimes skin to create a flatter chest.
It's worth having a doctor check for an underlying cause first. Gynecomastia caused by puberty usually goes away by itself.
Who considers surgery
Surgery is usually considered when the fullness persists. It might be an option if:
- Your chest fullness hasn't improved with a stable weight or treating any cause
- There is firm gland tissue around the nipple
- The area feels tender or irritated
- The skin or areolas have stretched
- You hold back from activities because of your chest
Liposuction, gland removal or both
The technique depends on what the fullness is made of:
- Liposuction: for fatty tissue, through small incisions.
- Gland removal (excision): for firm gland tissue, through an incision at the edge of the areola.
- Skin removal: for loose skin or stretched areolas, with longer scars.
Most operations combine liposuction and gland removal.
The treatment, step by step
Consultation. Your surgeon examines your chest and reviews your health and medicines.
Anesthesia. Usually general anesthesia; surgery typically takes one to two hours.
Removal. Fat is removed by liposuction and gland tissue cut out as needed.
Closing. Incisions are closed with fine sutures and a compression vest is put on.
Recovery and aftercare
Most people go home the same day. Swelling and bruising are common at first.
- Wear the compression vest as instructed
- Start light cardio from around two weeks
- Avoid heavy lifting and chest exercises for about four to six weeks
Most return to work within a few days to two weeks. Final definition shows at around three to six months.
Risks and side effects
Like any surgery, gynecomastia surgery carries risks:
- Infection or bleeding
- Blood or fluid collecting under the skin, which may need draining
- Changes in nipple or chest sensation, temporary or permanent
- Asymmetry or contour irregularities
- Scarring, which depends on genetics and scar care
- The need for a further correction
Common questions
Gynecomastia surgery questions, answered.
If your question isn't here, ask us directly. A real person answers, and we won't push you toward anything.
Talk to us →What causes gynecomastia?
Causes include hormone changes during puberty or over the age of 50, being overweight, certain medicines, conditions such as an overactive thyroid, kidney disease or cirrhosis, and drug use, including anabolic steroids and cannabis. Genetics can play a part, and sometimes no cause is found.
Will it go away on its own?
Sometimes. Gynecomastia caused by puberty usually goes away by itself over time. If it's caused by a condition or a medicine, treating that may reduce it, and losing weight can help if you're overweight. Surgery is usually considered when it persists.
Is liposuction enough?
Only if the fullness is mainly fat. Dense gland tissue has to be cut out. Most people benefit from a combination of liposuction and gland removal for the smoothest contour.
Where will the scars be?
Liposuction leaves a few small incisions. Gland removal leaves a scar along the edge of the areola, where it usually blends in well. If excess skin needs removing, the scars are longer and more visible. Scars usually fade over six to twelve months.
Can gynecomastia come back?
It's rare. Removed gland tissue doesn't grow back, but significant weight gain, hormonal changes or anabolic steroid use can bring fullness back. Keeping a stable weight helps preserve the result.
How long is recovery?
Most people go home the same day and return to work within a few days to two weeks. Light cardio can usually start at around two weeks; heavy lifting and chest exercises wait until around four to six weeks.
Will I need to wear a compression vest?
Yes. A snug compression vest reduces swelling and helps the skin settle. It is often worn full-time for the first one to two weeks and then part-time, as your surgeon advises.
Is it painful?
Most people describe mild discomfort rather than pain. It is managed with pain relief and usually eases within a few days.
Will my nipple sensation change?
It can. Temporary changes in sensation in the nipples and chest skin are common, and permanent changes are possible. Ask your surgeon how their technique affects this.
Is it covered by public healthcare or insurance?
Usually not. In the UK, surgery may not be available on the NHS, and in the US insurance rarely covers it because it is considered cosmetic. Ask the practice what documentation they can provide if you want to check.
