Male breast reduction (gynaecomastia)

There are a variety of reasons for men to have developed more breast tissue than they would like. Weight gain, which can be lost elsewhere may be difficult to shift in the chest area.

Some men just have more naturally-occurring breast tissue than others. Whatever the reason, male breast reduction (gynaecomastia) is an operation which can successfully reduce the size of the breasts by removing excess fat, glandular tissue and skin from the area.

Male breast reduction (gynaecomastia) is performed under general anaesthetic and although it is generally performed on one day, you may need to stay in hospital one or two nights. The cosmetic surgeon will cut around the dark skin surrounding the nipple (the areola) or under your arm, and the excess fat, skin and breast tissue will be removed. Liposuction can also be performed at the same time to remove excess fat in the area.

Following surgery, you'll need to wear a pressure garment for up to two weeks, to help reduce swelling and to help the healing process. The area will feel sore and tender for a few weeks after surgery but this will reduce with time. There will also be some scarring and how noticeable it is will depend on the amount of tissue that has been removed. The scarring will fade over time and your surgeon will discuss this with you before the operation.

Being overweight increases your likelihood of having excess breast tissue, and certain drugs and medical conditions may cause breast tissue to grow. For these reasons, it is important to explore underlying causes with your GP before deciding to go ahead with surgery.

All operations carry risks as well as benefits. The chance of complications following surgery for male breast development depends on the type of operation and other factors such as your general health. Your surgeon will explain how the risks apply to you.

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