Gynaecomastia develops when there is an imbalance between the hormone oestrogen, which stimulates the breasts to grow, and testosterone, which inhibits breast growth.

There are many different causes of gynaecomastia.  It’s common during teenage years and usually resolves without treatment. 

In adulthood, gynaecomastia may be caused by other medical conditions that affect hormone levels. It can also be a side effect of some medication, including some cancer treatments, herbal remedies and drugs such as cannabis. Gynaecomastia may also develop due to obesity.

Gynaecomastia surgery is a possible treatment option for adult males with gynaecomastia. 

It may be recommended if your symptoms of gynaecomastia (enlarged breasts which may be accompanied by pain) have been going on for some time and are causing you significant upset or distress. 

Our doctors will want to check for any possible causes of gynaecomastia. You’ll usually be recommended to try other, non-surgical treatment options first. 

If these have not worked, you may be able to have gynaecomastia surgery. Surgery is not usually recommended until at least after puberty has finished and not before the age of 18.

Having surgery is a significant decision. At The London Clinic, we will review your symptoms in detail and explore all treatment options available with you before recommending surgery. 

Before going ahead, you should take the time you need to understand what the surgery involves and make sure you are comfortable with your decision. 

We’ll be on hand to support you and offer any advice needed throughout.

Gynaecomastia surgery is usually carried out under general anaesthetic. 

Gynaecomastia is a result of excess fatty or glandular tissue. The aim of surgery is to reduce the amount of this excess tissue. 

1.    During surgery, a small incision is made and excess tissue removed either by liposuction or by excision (using a scalpel). A combination of techniques may be used.

2.    If gynaecomastia has led to stretching of the skin, excess skin may also be removed during surgery. Surgery does not affect the pectoral muscles that sit beneath the breast area.

3.    The incision is then repaired, usually with dissolvable stitches. The size of the incision depends on the extent of the gynaecomastia and the techniques used to remove the excess tissue.

Gynaecomastia surgery is usually carried out under general anaesthetic, and you’ll need to stay in hospital for one or two nights after your surgery. 

It’ll take a further few weeks for your wound to heal. You’ll normally be advised to wear an elastic compression vest for a couple of weeks after your surgery to help with the healing.

You may need to take a week or two off work and avoid strenuous work and exercise for up to six weeks. We’ll keep in touch with you during this time to monitor your recovery. We’ll also arrange a follow-up appointment with your surgeon to check the results. 

It can take several months for the final effects to develop.

Gynaecomastia surgery is usually safe and successful, producing results that patients are happy with. However, any surgery carries some risks. We’ll discuss these with you in detail before you decide to go ahead with gynaecomastia surgery.

All surgery carries a small risk of infection. We will make sure you know the symptoms to look out for and provide treatment with antibiotics if necessary. 

After surgery, you may experience some swelling and bruising. This should improve over time. Some patients develop a haematoma (collection of blood). This usually resolves on its own but sometimes needs further surgery. 

Occasionally, patients have some permanent numbness in the breast area after surgery. You may have a small scar. 

Before deciding on surgery, we’ll explain to you what the surgery can achieve and how it will affect your appearance. There is a very small risk that the results are not what you expect. It’ll also take some time for the full effects to develop – from a few months to up to a year.

Breast cancer in men is very rare. Only around 350 cases of breast cancer in men are diagnosed in the UK each year, compared to around 55,000 cases in women. 

Symptoms typically include a lump and changes to the nipple, usually just on one side. Very occasionally, gynaecomastia may be a symptom of male breast cancer. 

If you have gynaecomastia, our doctors will check for any other concerning signs and symptoms during your initial consultation. If you are concerned about male breast cancer, you can contact us for help or speak to your GP.