Male Breast Reduction Fact Sheet

The objective

The purpose of male breast reduction - or gynaecomastia - is to treat and remove a fatty growth of breast tissue that occurs in some men, or saggy skin left in the breast area as a result of weight loss after obesity. The treatment isn’t suitable for men who are very overweight or as a solution to weight loss.

The procedure

This operation is usually carried out under general anaesthetic and takes about one hour. Sometimes a local anaesthetic with sedative can be used.

The surgeon will cut around the nipple (areola) or under the arm, and will remove excess fat, skin and breast tissue from the area around the breast plate. Another technique may involve liposuction, where a metal tube - cannula - is inserted through a small cut (1-2 cm) in an inconspicuous position, and fat deposits are sucked out via an attached vacuum pump. The cuts are then stitched. Sometimes, drains - tubes used to remove blood or other fluids from a wound to help healing - will be left in place.

Often, a combination of techniques will be used by the surgeon to achieve the best results.

The outcome

There may be a lot of bruising for up to two weeks and swelling for up to one month. You will need to wear a compression garment for about 2-3 weeks. Drainage tubes, if in place, will be removed after 1-2 days.

If stitches are not dissolvable, they will need removing after 10-12 days.

You will usually be able to leave the hospital after one day. You will be required to take around 1-2 weeks off work and strenuous activity must be avoided for 4-6 weeks.

Showering or bathing may not be possible for up to seven days.

It can take around six months to see the full results, which are permanent, and you can expect to have a masculine appearance to the chest area with the breast area flattened as a result of this surgery.

The risks

All general anaesthesias carry associated risks, but complications particular to gynaecomastia include infection, excessive bleeding after surgery and problems with wound healing, such as necrosis, where the blood supply is affected and the skin dies.

Scar tissue around the incision areas may turn red or lumpy.

There is usually a temporary difference in skin and nipple sensation following breast reduction but this can be permanent, particularly in the nipple.

Fluid build up under the skin (seroma) is another risk and may require further surgery to remove.

The costs

Costs depend on how much tissue needs removing. Privately in the UK, expect to pay around £1,800 - £4,750. Abroad, expect to pay from around £1,550 (Belgium) to around £2,550 (Cyprus).

The availability

Male breast reduction is available at many private cosmetic surgery clinics in the UK as well as abroad. It may be available on the NHS for serious cases which cause distress to the sufferer.

The popularity

This surgery is reasonably popular with men who have developed the problem of gynaecomastia or who have lost a lot of weight and have been left with excess, sagging skin, since this problem can be a huge source of embarrassment for sufferers, especially if the area is very noticeable through clothing.