Overview
Gynecomastia is enlargement of the breast tissue in men. It is common, can affect one or both sides, and often causes more self-consciousness than people expect — in fitted clothes, at the gym or when swimming.
Surgery removes the excess tissue so the chest sits flatter and more in proportion. Before recommending it, Dr. Swathi will want to understand why the enlargement has happened.
This may be relevant if…
- Chest fullness that has not settled over time
- A puffy or prominent area around the nipple
- Avoiding certain clothes or activities because of how your chest looks
- Fullness that remains despite a stable, healthy weight
At your consultation
- A conversation about when the change began, medicines, supplements and general health
- Examination to tell glandular tissue apart from fatty tissue
- Further tests where a hormonal or other medical cause needs to be ruled out first
How it is done
Depending on what is found, surgery may use liposuction, removal of glandular tissue through a small incision near the edge of the areola, or a combination of both.
The plan is tailored to the amount and type of tissue, and to the quality of the overlying skin.
Risks, recovery & limits
- Swelling and bruising are expected afterwards, and a compression garment is usually advised.
- As with any surgery, there are risks such as bleeding, infection, fluid collection, scarring, contour irregularity, asymmetry and changes in nipple sensation.
- Recovery differs from person to person; your own timeline will be explained at consultation.
Other options
- Treating an underlying cause, where one is found
- Watching and waiting — in teenagers especially, enlargement often settles on its own
- Choosing not to have treatment
This page is general information, not medical advice. Whether this treatment suits you — and your own risks, recovery and costs — can only be judged at an in-person consultation with Dr. Swathi Gagannatham. Read the medical disclaimer.