Body

Define Your Chest, Regain Your Confidence

A Permanent Solution for Male Breast Enlargement

Permanently reduce excess breast tissue for a more masculine, contoured chest — addressing both the cosmetic and emotional impact of a condition that affects millions of men.

Gynecomastia at a Glance

  • Overview

    Gynecomastia is a condition where men experience abnormal breast development — often due to hormonal imbalances, genetics, or significant weight fluctuations. Male breast reduction surgery is a permanent solution that removes excess glandular tissue and fat, creating a flatter, firmer, and more masculine chest contour.

  • Recovery

    Swelling and bruising are expected, and a compression garment is worn to aid in healing. Most patients can return to light activities and work within one to two weeks, with a full return to exercise and strenuous activities in about four to six weeks.

  • Results

    Results are immediate and permanent. The procedure provides a significantly improved chest contour, and patients often experience a profound boost in self-confidence as their chest appears flatter and more masculine.

Gynecomastia

Am I a Good Candidate?

You are an excellent candidate for gynecomastia surgery if you are a man bothered by the appearance of enlarged breasts. This condition can be a source of significant embarrassment and self-consciousness, and a surgical solution can provide a permanent and life-changing result. The best candidates are in good overall health, have reached a stable weight, and have realistic expectations about the outcome. Male breast reduction is ideal for men whose breast enlargement is due to genetics or hormonal imbalance. It can also be used to remove remaining excess tissue after significant weight loss. We will assess your specific case and create a surgical plan tailored to your unique needs and aesthetic goals.

What Do Scars Look Like?

Gynecomastia surgery is a surgical procedure, but the incisions are carefully planned to be as inconspicuous as possible. Our surgeons typically use a peri-areolar incision — placed around the edge of the areola — which is well-concealed by the natural color transition between the areola and the chest skin. In some cases, a small additional incision may be made under the chest to address excess skin. Our surgeons are meticulous in technique to minimize scar appearance, and the resulting scars continue to fade over time.

More Details About Gynecomastia

How Gynecomastia Surgery Works

The Surgical Process

Gynecomastia surgery is a highly personalized procedure performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon chooses the most appropriate technique based on the type and amount of tissue that needs to be removed. In many cases, liposuction is used to remove excess fatty tissue. For cases where there is excess glandular tissue, a small incision is made to excise the tissue directly. If there is significant excess skin, a more comprehensive procedure may be required to remove the skin and tighten the remaining tissue.

Different Causes, Different Approaches

Not all gynecomastia is the same. Some patients have predominantly fatty tissue, others have firm glandular tissue, and many have a combination of both. The cause — hormonal, genetic, weight-related, or medication-induced — affects the surgical plan. Part of our consultation is identifying which type you have and matching it to the right technique, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

Surgeon's Notes

Richard K Green, MD, FACS
Dr. Green MD, FACS

Why we treat gynecomastia as a real medical issue

Gynecomastia is one of the procedures most often dismissed by people who haven't lived with it. The condition affects an estimated 30–40% of men at some point in their lives, and for those it affects deeply, it changes daily decisions — what shirts to wear, whether to take a shirt off at the pool, whether to go to the gym. I treat the consultation conversation with the same seriousness as any other procedure. We assess whether the cause is fatty tissue (better addressed with liposuction), glandular tissue (requires direct excision), or skin laxity (may need a small excision pattern), and we plan the surgery accordingly. The result for most patients is freedom from a condition they've been working around for years.

Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia Recovery & Results Timeline

Please remember this is just a guide for Gynecomastia recovery. Every individual and recovery is unique. Your surgeon will provide you with personalized instructions and recovery times after your procedure.

1

Day 1 – 3

You will experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort. A compression garment will be worn to help reduce swelling and support your new contour.

2

1 – 2 Weeks

You can return to work and light, non-strenuous activities. The majority of swelling and bruising will have subsided.

3

3 – 4 Weeks

You can gradually return to a full exercise routine, but avoid heavy lifting or chest exercises.

4

6 Weeks – 3 Months

Swelling will have fully resolved, and the final results of your surgery will be fully apparent. You can return to all of your normal activities.

Your Surgeons

Jane Namkung, MD

Jane Namkung

MD
Richard K Green, MD, FACS

Richard K. Green

MD, FACS

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Schedule a consultation to discuss Gynecomastia with our board-certified surgeons.

(360) 823-0860 Request Consultation