Gynaecomastia Surgery (Male Breast Reduction) at our London Clinic

Men and women’s breasts are made from two components – glandular tissue and fatty tissue. The ratio of glandular to fatty tissue varies from individual to individual. While the term gynaecomastia strictly refers to the enlargement of the glandular part of the breast, most patients have an excess of both fatty and glandular tissue. The severity of the condition will vary for each individual, ranging from very mild symptoms to significant enlargement of the male breast, accompanied by sagging of the skin.

The condition can affect one or both of your breasts, sometimes unevenly. Diet and exercise alone cannot resolve the condition, as the breast glands and fat tissues must be surgically reduced.

An imbalance of the ratio of male and female hormones in the body is also thought to contribute to the development of gynaecomastia. While in the majority of cases, the cause of gynaecomastia is developmental, in some instances the condition is linked to the use of substances such as anabolic steroids or marijuana.

It’s common for gynaecomastia to be genetic or hereditary, or as a result of organ disease.

You’ll start to see results around four to six weeks after your breast reduction surgery and the results will continue to show as the weeks go by. This is because post-surgery swelling can last for four months or more, so the swelling will be gradually going down.

You’ll have scars after gynecomastia surgery, but your surgeon will use their expertise to ensure that they’re minimal. Usually, the incisions are made around your nipples. The size of the incision and scar will depend on the amount of chest tissue you are having removed and if liposuction is needed.

The main symptoms of gynaecomastia are:

• Swollen or prominent breast gland tissue
• Tenderness in your breast area

You may also experience symptoms including:

• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Pain
• Nipple discharge in one or both of your breasts

Your gynaecomastia will be treated with a specialist surgical procedure. Removing excess glandular and fatty tissue from your breast results in a flatter, more masculine appearance to the chest area.

A very small incision measuring 3-4 mm is made under each arm, into which a cannula is inserted to draw away any fatty deposits in the area. A smooth, thin layer of fat is left under your skin to ensure there is no rippling or irregularities in the area.

Next, a small, crescent-shaped incision is made at the base of the areola, through which any excess glandular tissue is removed. Both incisions are left open to drain and should heal within a few days after surgery.

Your suitability for gynaecomastia surgery will be determined during your consultation with your surgeon.

The quality of your skin is a primary factor in determining if you are suitable for gynaecomastia surgery. In order to achieve the best result from the procedure, you should have good skin elasticity. You should be within 10% of your ideal body weight. In most cases, your skin is able to shrink and accommodate the new body contour after liposuction and gland removal.

Sometimes patients with decreased skin elasticity may find they have loose, hanging skin in the affected area. In these cases, liposuction alone will not produce the desired result and may require some form of skin reduction, often in combination with liposuction.

Gynaecomastia surgery requires the skills of a surgeon, the hospital theatre team and an anaesthetist and the safety and care provided by a great hospital team and setting. Our fees for the day of your surgery include all of these as well as telephone access to a dedicated patient journey app and post-operative nurse once you are home. 

The price also includes all of your pre-operative and post-operative care and you can call us or come to see us as many times as you like with your questions relating to this procedure. We also give you access to our Practice Coach who will help you through your journey and prepare you for a successful and speedy recovery.

Should you require additional care we can offer that too and factor in everything that you need to make your journey the smoothest and the best for you. Let us know what you need and we’ll give you a detailed quotation after you have seen your surgeon and discussed exactly what you need at your consultation.

Healing is a gradual process, so getting enough rest in the days after your surgery is essential. Sleep with your upper body slightly elevated to help quicken any reduction in swelling and bruising.

We’ll run through what you should expect and work on a recovery program for you that suits your lifestyle. But typically, you can expect to be back at work within 5-7 days after surgery, resuming light exercise after 2 weeks. You should avoid any strenuous upper body exercise for at least 3 weeks after surgery. It’s very common to have some bruising, swelling and minor initial lumpiness in the area post-surgery.

It’s also fairly common to appear slightly uneven. This is often completely normal and will settle over the coming weeks.

We have a dedicated post-operative phone line which takes you straight to our nurse should you have any worries or concerns and we would ask you to report immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Heavy bleeding
• Pain
• Excessive swelling
• Pockets of fluid
• A persistent high temperature (above 37.5 degrees for 12 hours or more)

You may feel numb or tingly in some areas due to some nerve irritation. This is usually resolved within the first 6 months of surgery. Around 7 – 14 days after surgery you’ll need to return to the clinic to review your result and check you’re healing well. You’ll usually see your surgeon around 6 weeks after surgery for a routine check-up.

All cosmetic surgery carries some uncertainty and risk. When performed by one of our highly qualified and experienced plastic surgeons, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Individuals do however vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions, and their healing abilities, and the outcome is never completely predictable.

Complications are rare but can include:

• Scarring at the site of the surgical incisions
• Irregularities of contour or dimpling of the area treated
• Unevenness or asymmetry between sides
• Prolonged numbness and swelling
• Haematoma or seroma formation (a collection of blood or fluid under the skin)
• Infection

You can talk about any potential risks and complications in detail during the consultation with your surgeon. You can have peace of mind that our expert team includes the UK’s leading gynaecomastia surgeons who perform, on average, 100 successful procedures per year.