Male Breast Reduction (Surgery for Gynecomastia)

A frequent though problematic occurrence in men is enlarged breasts (Gynecomastia). Most commonly arising during puberty, these feminized appearing breasts can lead to considerable embarrassment and have quite an adverse impact one’s self-esteem to the point of affecting daily activities. Guys may avoid involvement in some or all sports, wear multiple shirts or bulky and heavy clothes even in hot weather, and refuse to take off their T-shirts at a pool or beach. The extent of the enlargement can range from barely discernable to extremely large and droopy.

Fortunately, surgery can provide a quite dramatic and successful outcome. The most common approach is to use liposuction, particularly the Ultrasonic Assisted technique, with or without direct excision of the enlarged breast tissue. One small incision usually less than 3/8” per side may be all that is needed to treat the gynecomastia. Massively enlarged breasts can require much more aggressive procedures that include longer incision with removal of excess skin.

The surgery for male breast reduction is done under general anesthesia as an outpatient. Discomfort for most men is fairly mild and usually well controlled with oral pain medication. A compressive garment may be worn for 1 – 2 weeks to help minimize bruising and swelling. Sports and working out can be resumed at around 2 ½ weeks following surgery. Many patients can return to school or work within a few days.