Everything You Need to Know About Gynecomastia Surgery
What is male breast reduction?
If you’re tired of feeling self-conscious and using terms like ‘man boobs’ to describe your chest, male breast reduction—formally known as gynecomastia surgery—can provide a lasting solution to this increasingly common problem. Imagine: no more hunching over, baggy clothes, compression tops, or excuses for wearing a shirt at the beach.
This outpatient surgery counteracts the swelling of male breast tissue, often caused by an imbalance of estrogen and testosterone, though it can be a side effect of certain drugs or specific types of tumors. Using a combination of surgical techniques and liposuction, gynecomastia surgery reduces breast size and sculpts your upper-body.
Also known as: Male breast reduction, Reduction mammoplasty
Is gynecomastia surgery right for me?
Gynecomastia surgery might be a good choice for you if:
You’re an adult.
If you develop excess breast tissue as a teen, it’s probably best to wait until adulthood to consider gynecomastia surgery. Your hormones change during adolescence, so the swelling in your breasts may resolve itself as you get older.Your weight is stable.
Weight fluctuations after gynecomastia surgery can affect your results, so it’s best to get the surgery once you’re at a consistent weight.Your chest makes you self-conscious.
If you’ve tried nonsurgical options—like taking medication or wearing minimizing compression garments—yet still feel self-conscious about your ‘man boobs’, gynecomastia surgery can be a long-lasting option.You understand that the surgery won’t give you pecs of steel.
Gynecomastia surgery removes excess fat, skin, and glandular tissue. It won’t make you look like Superman, but you may finally feel comfortable going shirtless at the beach after your surgeon creates a more masculine silhouette.You don’t smoke.
Smoking interferes with your body’s natural ability to heal itself after surgery. If you smoke, your doctor will most likely recommend you quit about six weeks before your breast reduction surgery.
Read Q&As about gynecomastia surgery candidates
How much does gynecomastia surgery cost?
Gynecomastia surgery costs an average of about 5,500, according to reviewers on RealSelf. But it can range as high as 10,000, depending on how much tissue you need removed, whether the procedure can be handled solely with liposuction, and if your nipples need to be repositioned. Anesthesia and facility fees also play a role, as do your surgeon’s experience and your location.
Also be aware that most insurance companies don’t cover gynecomastia surgery. If you have coverage, you and your doctor will need to show that your gynecomastia is related to a serious medical condition. You may be asked to provide test results and doctor’s notes to support your claim.
While it may be pricey, “gynecomastia surgery can be a life-changing procedure for a man,” “Be sure to see a plastic surgeon who has treated all types of gynecomastia and who can form a surgical plan that works for your specific needs.”
What happens during gynecomastia surgery?
Recovery Process for Gynecomastia Surgery in London and Manchester
The recovery process for gynecomastia surgery is generally straightforward, with most patients returning to normal activities within a few weeks. Below is a detailed overview of what to expect, tailored to the context of undergoing the procedure in London or Manchester clinics:
Immediate Post-Surgery (Day 1-2):
Rest and Monitoring: After surgery, you’ll spend a short time in the clinic for observation, typically a few hours, before being discharged (most procedures are outpatient).
Compression Garment: You’ll be fitted with a compression vest to reduce swelling, support the chest, and promote proper healing. Wear it as instructed, usually 24/7 for the first 2-4 weeks.
Mild Discomfort: Expect some soreness, swelling, or bruising, which is normal. Pain is typically manageable with prescribed painkillers or over-the-counter medication.
Rest at Home: Arrange for someone to drive you home (clinics in London and Manchester emphasize this for safety). Rest with your upper body slightly elevated to minimize swelling.
First Week (Days 3-7):
Limited Activity: Avoid strenuous activities, heavy lifting, or vigorous exercise. Light walking is encouraged to promote circulation.
Wound Care: Follow clinic instructions for keeping incisions clean and dry. Stitches are often dissolvable, but some may require removal at a follow-up (around day 7-10).
Follow-Up Visit: Most London and Manchester clinics schedule a check-up within 5-7 days to monitor healing and address concerns.
Swelling and Bruising: These peak early in the week and gradually subside. The compression garment helps control this.
Weeks 2-4:
Gradual Return to Normal: Many patients resume work or light daily tasks within 7-14 days, depending on the job’s physical demands (desk jobs earlier, manual labor later).
Compression Garment: Continue wearing it as advised (often full-time for 3-4 weeks, then part-time). It ensures the chest contours settle properly.
Exercise Restrictions: Avoid chest-focused workouts (e.g., push-ups, weightlifting) or high-impact activities. Light cardio, like walking, may be permitted after week 2 with surgeon approval.
Healing Progress: Swelling continues to decrease, and the chest shape starts to look more defined, though final results are not yet visible.
Weeks 4-8:
Increased Activity: Most patients can gradually resume exercise and normal routines around 4-6 weeks, following clearance from the surgeon. Start with low-intensity workouts and build up slowly.
Scar Maturation: Incisions (often small and placed discreetly) begin to fade but may still be slightly pink. Clinics may recommend scar creams or silicone gels to improve appearance.
Follow-Up: Additional check-ups may be scheduled to ensure proper recovery, especially if you’re in Manchester or London, where clinics prioritize ongoing support.
Long-Term (3-6 Months):
Final Results: Swelling fully resolves, revealing the final chest contour—flatter, firmer, and more masculine. Most patients see optimal results by 3-6 months.
Scar Care: Scars continue to fade, becoming less noticeable over time. Avoid sun exposure on incisions to prevent darkening.
Lifestyle Maintenance: Maintain a stable weight and healthy habits to preserve results, as significant weight gain or hormonal changes could affect the outcome.
Confidence Boost: Patients often report improved self-esteem, enjoying activities like swimming or wearing fitted clothing without hesitation.
Clinic Support in London and Manchester:
Aftercare Guidance: Both cities’ clinics provide detailed recovery plans, including written instructions and emergency contact numbers.
Accessibility: Follow-ups are easy to schedule, with central London clinics and Manchester’s widespread facilities ensuring convenience.
Personalized Advice: Surgeons tailor recovery timelines to your case (e.g., liposuction-only vs. tissue excision), ensuring realistic expectations.
Tips for Smooth Recovery:
Follow all post-op instructions, especially about garment use and activity limits.
Stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, and avoid smoking or alcohol to support healing.
Report unusual symptoms (e.g., excessive swelling, fever, or severe pain) to your clinic immediately—most offer 24/7 advice lines.
Be patient; healing varies, and rushing back to activities can delay progress.
Gynecomastia surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure and takes between one to three hours. The length of the surgery depends on whether your treatment plan calls for just liposuction or a combination of lipo and surgical excision (cutting off extra tissue). If you have a condition called pseudo-gynecomastia, lipo may be enough to remove the excess fatty tissue. If you have true gynecomastia, a combination of fat, duct, and gland tissue will be removed; in that case, you’ll most likely have lipo with excision.
Before the surgery, you may be given a choice between general anesthesia, which puts you under for the entire procedure, or local anesthesia to numb your chest, plus an intravenous sedative. Once the anesthesia takes effect, your surgeon makes several incisions, either under your arms or around the edge of your nipples.
If you just need liposuction, your doctor will use a tool called a cannula (a thin tube with a vacuum attachment) to remove extra fat and tissue; he or she then contours a less feminine-looking shape. If you also need excision of extra skin and tissue, your surgeon may make another incision, often in the natural crease of your chest. Depending on the extent of your surgery, your doctor may also reposition your nipple as part of your breast reduction procedure.
Finally, your surgeon will close the incisions with stitches and place tubes—called surgical drains—near the incisions, which will help your body shed fluids as you heal. You’ll be allowed to go home once you recover from the anesthesia, but you should plan to have someone drive you. Also be sure to have someone stay with you, at least for the first night of your recovery.
Read reviews about gynecomastia surgery
What is gynecomastia surgery recovery like?
You shouldn’t need a lot of downtime after gynecomastia surgery. Most people take a few days to a week off work to allow pain and swelling to fade.
“The good news is that in the majority of patients, recovery is extremely quick and virtually painless,” says Baltimore plastic surgeon Dr. Ronald Schuster. “Patients who have a quiet, desk-type job can easily have their surgery done on Friday and return to work on Monday. They must, however, keep a ‘low profile’ and chill out for a week,”
If your job requires more strenuous activity, you might want to take it easy for a little longer than a weekend. Either way, your doctor will probably suggest holding off on exercise for a few weeks, and avoiding chest workouts for several months after your surgery.
After surgery, your doctor may prescribe pain medication for the first few days, or suggest over-the-counter options. You’ll also be given a compression vest to wear as you heal, which will help your body conform to its new shape. “The compression garment helps reduce the swelling, and the longer it is worn, the more quickly you will heal,” . Doctors recommend wearing it for three to six weeks for the best results.
If your stitches are dissolvable, they’ll fade over time. Otherwise, you’ll return to your doctor’s office for a follow-up visit to have your stitches and surgical drains removed.
The good news is that in the majority of patients, recovery is extremely quick and virtually painless.”
Read Q&As about gynecomastia surgery recovery
When will I see results from gynecomastia surgery?
You should be able to see a difference in the appearance of your pecs right away, but it may take a few days after surgery for swelling to go down. Your new look won’t be fully apparent until your breast tissue heals, and this could take a few weeks to a month.
Read reviews about gynecomastia surgery results
How long will my gynecomastia surgery results last?
Gynecomastia surgery is designed to last. If you’re happy with your new look once your scar tissue has faded, you shouldn’t need follow-up treatments.
“If performed properly and if diet and exercise are maintained, the results of a gynecomastia surgery should be dramatic and long-lasting,”
As with any body contouring procedure, however, you’ll see the best results if you eat well and stay active. Our skin loses some elasticity as we get older, so you may find that your pecs become less taut over time, as part of the natural aging process.
Gaining weight or using performance-enhancing drugs could change the look of your upper body, as well. Some health conditions or medications that affect hormone levels might cause gynecomastia to return, so it’s important to stay in touch with your surgeon if you notice any changes in your breast size.
If performed properly and if diet and exercise are maintained, the results of a gynecomastia surgery should be dramatic and long-lasting.”
What are the risks or potential side effects of gynecomastia surgery?
Gynecomastia surgery is generally considered a safe procedure, especially when done by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. As with any surgery, however, there’s some potential for complications. Common side effects include swelling, bruising, bleeding, infection, or temporary changes in sensation near the incision.
Some reviewers on RealSelf say their chest or nipples felt numb in the days following breast reduction surgery. This is fairly common and usually goes away with time.
“It is normal to experience numbness around the areola and chest,” “As your body heals, you may notice random bursts of pain in your chest. This is usually a sign that the numbness is subsiding.”
Some patients have trouble with fluid buildup or incisions that separate. There’s also a slight chance that you could develop a condition called breast fat necrosis. This means that when your fat cells die, instead of being absorbed into your body, they form scar tissue or a cyst in your breast.
“If you have any concerns about healing, it’s best to ask your surgeon or the nursing staff,” Dr. Horowitz recommends.
Read reviews about the risks associated with gynecomastia surgery
Which similar treatments should I consider?
Compression shirts can help camouflage an enlarged chest, but they’re a temporary solution. If you have pseudo-gynecomastia, you also might see results from changes in diet and exercise. If an underlying health condition is the cause of your gynecomastia, hormone therapy medication may help reduce breast size.
Doctors on RealSelf recommend against supplements that promise to reduce breast tissue, however, since this approach isn’t FDA approved. “There is no magic pill,” Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Tim Neavin says .