Gynecomastia Surgery

Removes excess male breast tissue, fat, or both to create a flatter, more masculine chest contour, after medical causes have been considered.

What is gynecomastia surgery?

Gynecomastia is enlargement of male breast tissue, distinct from chest fat alone. It can affect one or both sides and has many causes — puberty, aging, weight change, medications, anabolic steroids, alcohol use, and hormonal or other medical conditions — so a workup to rule out a medical cause comes before a surgical plan. Surgery, also called male breast reduction, removes the excess tissue and reshapes the chest.

How is gynecomastia surgery done?

The surgeon plans the operation from examination and, where needed, imaging: firm glandular tissue under the areola is excised, surrounding fat is contoured, and excess skin is addressed when present. Small incisions are made, often at the lower edge of the areola, sometimes with additional liposuction incisions. Removed tissue is typically sent for pathology examination. A compression garment is worn after surgery, and drains are sometimes used for a short time.

What are the options for gynecomastia surgery?

Liposuction alone. Suits mainly fatty enlargement with good skin elasticity and no firm glandular mass. Excision alone. Removes firm glandular tissue through a small areolar incision when fat is not the main problem. Excision plus liposuction. The most common combination: gland excised, fat contoured around it. Skin-removing techniques. For significant skin excess after major weight loss, larger incisions and skin removal are needed, with longer scars.

What affects the cost of gynecomastia surgery?

There is no single fixed charge for gynecomastia surgery, and this guide does not publish prices: the written quote you receive at consultation is the binding figure.

Factors that commonly move the total include the surgeon's experience, the facility type (office procedure suite, ambulatory surgery center, or hospital), the type and length of anesthesia, the complexity of the surgical plan, whether other procedures are combined in the same operation, garments and follow-up visits, and the revision terms. Ask for an itemized written quote that states exactly what is included, and what would cost extra if a revision or an overnight stay became necessary.

What is recovery like after gynecomastia surgery?

Expect swelling, bruising, and soreness for the first weeks, with a compression garment worn for several weeks. Many patients return to desk work within about a week and to full activity, including chest exercise, in about four to six weeks. Final contour emerges over several months as swelling resolves. Sun protection on healing incisions matters in Florida's climate.

What are the risks of gynecomastia surgery?

Risks include bleeding or fluid collections, infection, asymmetry, contour irregularities (including a crater deformity if too much tissue is removed under the areola), scarring, numbness, and poor wound healing. If an underlying medical cause is missed, enlargement can recur, which is why the pre-operative workup matters. Revision is sometimes needed for residual tissue or contour issues.

What should I ask at a gynecomastia surgery consultation?

• Is my enlargement glandular, fatty, or both — and what workup do I need before surgery?
• Will liposuction, excision, or both be used, and where will the scars sit?
• What is the total quote, broken down, and what are the revision terms?
• Can you confirm your board certification? (Check the badge on each profile in this directory.)

Sources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons patient information and procedure guidance; U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidance where applicable. General information only, not medical advice. Confirm details with a board-certified surgeon at consultation.