Gynaecomastia surgery reduces excess breast tissue, fat or skin to create a flatter, firmer and more masculine chest.
You might be thinking about this surgery because you feel self-conscious, uncomfortable or restricted by enlarged breast tissue.
Key facts about gynaecomastia surgery
Procedure Time
1 – 3 hours, depending on the volume of breast tissues and excess skin.
Anaesthetic
General anaesthetic
Recovery
Return to light activities in 1 – 2 weeks; compression vest for 4 – 6 weeks; full recovery by 6 weeks.
Full Results
Visible as swelling settles, usually 3 – 6 months; scars continue to fade for up to 12 months.
Benefits of gynaecomastia surgery
Surgery restores a firmer, more natural, balanced shape.
Many men feel more at ease wearing fitted clothing or exercising.
Precise removal and contouring improve your overall chest shape.
Eliminating excess tissue reduces rubbing, heaviness and discomfort.
Once the tissue is removed, recurrence is rare unless hormonal imbalance returns.
Who gynaecomastia surgery may help
Gynaecomastia surgery may help:
- Men with persistent gynaecomastia that has not improved with time, weight loss, exercise, or medical treatment
- Individuals with glandular, fatty or skin excess affecting chest shape
- Men whose chest contour affects clothing choices or confidence
- Those with breast tenderness, asymmetry or skin irritation
- Patients with stable weight and realistic expectations
Gynaecomastia surgery might not be the right choice for:
- Men whose breast enlargement is due to untreated hormonal or medical conditions
- Individuals unable to stop smoking before surgery (increases the risk of healing problems)
- Patients expecting scar-free results (all surgery leaves scars)
- People with unstable weight or ongoing steroid use
- Men with unrealistic expectations about muscle definition or chest contour
Your Journey
We support you through surgery and beyond
Your consultation focuses on the type and cause of your gynaecomastia, the tissue involved (fat, gland, skin), and how this affects your confidence or physical comfort. Your surgeon will assess your chest shape, skin elasticity and goals before recommending the most suitable technique. You’ll receive clear guidance on expected results, scars, and recovery.
To prepare safely:
- Maintain good general health and stable blood sugar if you have diabetes
- Attend any recommended physiotherapy before surgery
- Stop smoking and nicotine for at least 6 weeks before and after surgery
- Stop aspirin, clopidogrel and NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac) 7 days before (unless advised otherwise)
- Stop Factor Xa inhibitors (eg Riveroxiban, Apixaban, Edoxiban etc.), 48 hours before (unless advised otherwise)
- Keep your hand clean and avoid creams on the day of surgery
- Arrange time for therapy appointments after surgery
- Arrange for help with driving and heavier tasks for the first few days
The operation is usually performed under general anaesthetic and takes 1-3 hours. Depending on the technique, liposuction, gland excision, skin tightening, or nipple repositioning may be used. Small incisions are placed carefully to keep scars discreet. A compression vest is fitted, and drains may be used for 24 – 48 hours. Most patients go home the same day.
Wear your compression vest continuously for 4 – 6 weeks to reduce swelling and support your new chest contour. Bruising, swelling or tightness are normal for the first 2 – 3 weeks. Avoid strenuous activity, chest workouts and heavy lifting for 6 weeks. Sleep on your back and avoid pressure on the chest. Your final shape will settle over 3 – 6 months as tissues heal and scars soften.
Led by experience
At The Antler Clinic, you’ll be cared for by Consultant Plastic Surgeon Mr David Izadi, whose work combines advanced surgical expertise with the calm, honest approach patients value most.
With over two decades of experience in reconstructive, aesthetic, and hand surgery – including international fellowships in rhinoplasty and hand surgery, and a dedicated cosmetology surgery fellowship.
Every plan begins with listening to what matters most to you.
Frequently asked questions about gynaecomastia surgery
A quick guide to the things most people want to know before and after their procedure.
Hormonal imbalance, medication side effects, weight changes, alcohol or drug use, and certain medical conditions can all contribute to gynaecomastia. In many adults, no single cause is found.
Surgery is the most reliable treatment for gynaecomastia. Liposuction removes fat, gland excision removes firm breast tissue, and skin tightening is added when needed.
Gynaecomastia surgery is not dangerous, but it can significantly impact confidence, clothing choices and comfort. Surgery can provide you with long-term improvement.
Gynaecomastia itself is not cancer and does not turn into cancer. We can investigate any unusual changes prior to surgery if necessary.
Gynaecomastia may feel like a firm lump beneath the nipple or general chest fullness. Some men experience tenderness or sensitivity.
If the cause of your gynaecomastia is hormonal (e.g. puberty), it may resolve naturally by itself. Long-standing gynaecomastia rarely improves without surgery.
Weight loss may help in cases of gynaecomastia if it’s caused by excess fat, but glandular tissue does not disappear with diet or exercise.
Rapid enlargement, significant pain, nipple discharge or a firm lump on one side are all things that should be assessed promptly by an expert.
Not all chest fullness is gynaecomastia. Some men have excess fat without glandular tissue (pseudo-gynaecomastia). Your assessment will determine the cause of your condition.
Most men describe mild to moderate soreness after gynaecomastia surgery, which settles within a few days and is managed with simple pain relief.
Results of gynaecomastia surgery are long-lasting unless you go through significant hormonal changes, weight gain, or steroid use.
As with any surgery, there are risks, and we’ll go through all of these with you before you make a decision. For gynaecomastia surgery, these include postoperative pain, swelling and bruising, bleeding or haematoma (a collection of blood beneath the skin), infection, and abnormal scarring such as hypertrophic or keloid scars. Some men notice asymmetry, skin rippling, or changes to nipple and areola shape, including indentation. There is also the possibility of under- or over-correction, meaning the final result may not fully meet your expectations. Serious complications are uncommon, and Mr Izadi will explain all of this clearly at your consultation.
The right surgical approach depends on how much tissue is involved and whether the skin has stretched. In most cases, where only glandular tissue is present, this can be removed through a small incision around the lower half of the areola, leaving a fine, well-hidden scar. When fatty tissue is also involved, liposuction is added to achieve a smooth, even result. If the skin has expanded significantly, a breast lift may be needed, which involves more extensive incisions around the chest. In severe cases, the nipple may need to be detached and carefully repositioned, leaving a more visible scar pattern. Mr Izadi will assess your chest carefully and explain which approach is most appropriate for you, including what your scars are likely to look like.
clear and transparent costs
Pricing and Finance
You will receive a clear quotation setting out the cost of your treatment and what is included before you decide whether to proceed.
A new consultation is charged at £200.
Follow-up consultations are charged at £150, unless the appointment forms part of an agreed surgical package or postoperative follow-up pathway.
Consultation fees are payable regardless of whether surgery is subsequently arranged. A consultation provides assessment, advice and discussion of treatment options; it does not guarantee that surgery will be recommended or offered.
Patients are kindly asked to provide at least three working days’ notice if they need to cancel or rearrange an appointment.
Non-attendance, or cancellation with less than three working days’ notice, will incur a fee of £125. This fee reflects the clinical time reserved for the appointment and the difficulty of offering the appointment to another patient at short notice.
For self-pay patients, surgery is usually provided as a fixed-price package. This is intended to give patients clarity and reassurance about the cost of their planned procedure.
Your written quotation will confirm what is included. In most cases, the package price includes:
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Hospital fees for the planned procedure
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Surgeon’s fee
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Anaesthetist’s fee, where applicable
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Standard postoperative follow-up appointments relating to the procedure
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Routine aftercare directly related to the planned surgery, as specified in your quotation
Package prices are based on the procedure agreed at the time of booking. If the surgical plan changes, if additional procedures are requested, or if further treatment is required outside the agreed package, additional fees may apply.
Self-pay surgical packages usually include a period of cover for the treatment of complications directly related to the procedure. The exact terms, duration and exclusions of this cover are set by the hospital where your surgery is performed.
Depending on the hospital, complication cover may apply for a defined period, which may be 6 or 12 months. Full details will be provided by the relevant hospital before surgery.
Complication cover is not a guarantee that all future treatment, revision surgery or additional procedures will be provided without charge. Cover may not apply to unrelated medical problems, pre-existing conditions, treatment required outside the hospital’s terms, or surgery requested for aesthetic preference rather than a recognised complication.
In an emergency, patients should seek urgent medical attention through the most appropriate service, including NHS emergency care where necessary.
Every effort is made to achieve the best possible outcome, but no surgical procedure can guarantee a specific result, perfect symmetry, invisible scarring or complete satisfaction. Healing, scarring, swelling and final results vary between individuals.
If revision surgery is required because of a complication, eligibility for cover will depend on the hospital’s package terms and the clinical circumstances.
If surgery has been performed to an appropriate clinical standard, but a patient remains dissatisfied with the aesthetic outcome or wishes to pursue further refinement, any revision or additional surgery will usually incur further charges. These may include hospital fees, surgeon’s fees and anaesthetic fees.
Unless specifically included in your written quotation, additional costs may apply for investigations, scans, specialist opinions, extra procedures, further hospital admissions, prescriptions, dressings, garments, travel, accommodation, time off work or treatment unrelated to the planned surgery.
The written quotation and the hospital’s own terms and conditions will take precedence over any general information provided on this website.
Payment terms, deposits, cancellation policies and refund arrangements are determined by the hospital where your procedure is booked. These will be provided to you before surgery.
Surgery can only proceed once all required payments have been received and all relevant consent, preoperative assessment and hospital requirements have been completed.
To help make treatment more affordable, you may choose to spread the cost of your procedure through a personal medical loan with Chrysalis Finance. Subject to eligibility and approval, Chrysalis offers a range of flexible finance options, allowing you to pay for your treatment in manageable monthly instalments rather than a single upfront payment.
The hospitals we work with offer finance options through Chrysalis Finance. Please contact your chosen hospital directly for further information or to discuss any questions.
Get in Touch
Your next step starts with a conversation.
A consultation at The Antler Clinic is simply a chance to talk – to ask questions, explore your options, and decide what feels right for you.
You’ll leave with clarity, reassurance, and the same calm support that defines everything we do.
