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THE TREATMENT REGISTRY
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cosmetic surgery

Gynaecomastia Surgery

Gynecomastia is the non-cancerous enlargement of one or both breasts in men due to the growth of breast tissue as a result of a hormone imbalance between estrogens and androgens. Physically speaking, gynecomastia is completely benign, but it is associated with significant psychological distress, social stigma, and dysphoria.

By The Treatment Registry

Quick Facts

Price range
Varies by clinic
Recovery
Varies
Sessions
Varies
Category
cosmetic surgery
Anaesthesia
Varies
Min. stay abroad
Varies
Price Range (International)
Varies by clinic
Average Recovery
Varies
Typical Sessions
Varies
Category
cosmetic surgery

Overview

Gynaecomastia is the non-cancerous enlargement of one or both breasts in men, caused by the growth of breast tissue when the balance between oestrogens and androgens is altered. It is physically benign, but it is commonly associated with psychological distress, social stigma and dysphoria, and it is these effects, together with any pain or tenderness, that most often prompt men to seek treatment. Gynaecomastia can be a normal finding at several stages of life: in newborn boys exposed to oestrogen from the mother, in adolescents going through puberty, in men over about 50, and in obesity. It can also result from conditions that raise the ratio of oestrogens to androgens, such as liver disease, kidney failure, thyroid disease and some non-breast tumours, as well as from alcohol and certain drugs, Klinefelter syndrome, metabolic dysfunction or a natural decline in testosterone. It is the most common benign disorder of the male breast tissue. Many cases need no diagnostic tests and settle on their own; up to 70% of adolescent boys develop some degree of gynaecomastia, and about 75% of these resolve within two years without treatment. When the enlargement does not settle within two years, or when it causes embarrassment, pain or tenderness, treatment is considered, which is the context in which surgery for gynaecomastia is undertaken.

Key Considerations

    Reported outcomes

    Detailed outcomes →

    Complication rate

    19.30%

    Range 11.80–30.60%

    n=1 study

    Aggregated from peer-reviewed systematic reviews on PubMed. How we extract these rates.

    Common Risks

      Detailed risk profile →

      Alternative treatments

      Other clinically reasonable options for the same condition. The right alternative depends on the patient's specific anatomy, comorbidities, and goals — discuss with a treating clinician rather than self-selecting from this list.

      Credentials a clinic should hold

      Specialty-board certifications and facility-level accreditations relevant to this procedure. Verify on the issuer's public register before booking — most issuers publish a searchable directory.

      • ISAPS member surgeon

        Issuer International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

        Individual surgeon membership; requires national-board certification in plastic surgery plus peer endorsement.

        Verify on the issuer's register →

      • National plastic-surgery board certification

        Issuer Country-specific (e.g. ABPS in US, BAAPS in UK, SBCP in Brazil, KSPRS in South Korea, ASPRS in Australia)

        Specialty-board certification in plastic surgery from the surgeon's country of practice. The single most important credential for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure.

        Verify on the issuer's register →

      Authors cited in the outcome data

      Attribution — the named first authors of the systematic reviews whose reported rates feed the outcome figures above. Listed for transparency, not as endorsement; the registry has not solicited review or comment from these authors.

      Current clinical trials

      Ongoing research studies registered on ClinicalTrials.gov whose intervention involves gynaecomastia surgery. This is a neutral pointer to public research — not an endorsement, not a recruitment drive, and not medical advice. Trial status changes often; confirm eligibility and current status with the study team via each record.

      Showing 3 recent ongoing studies. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov — all matching trials (U.S. National Library of Medicine, public domain). Retrieved 2026-08-02.

      Recovery Timeline

      Average recovery for Gynaecomastia Surgery is 0 days. Individual recovery varies — always follow your surgeon’s specific guidance.

      1. 01Day 0–1

        Immediate

        First 24–48 hours post-procedure. Monitoring, anaesthesia recovery, initial pain management. Most clinics expect you to remain on-site or nearby.

      2. 02Day 2–2

        Early recovery

        Wound care, swelling or bruising peaks, restricted activity. Typical window for follow-up visits and drain removal if applicable. Travel is usually not advised.

      3. 03Day 3–3

        Intermediate recovery

        Gradual return to non-strenuous daily activity. Many international patients fly home during this window. Surgeon may require medical clearance for long-haul travel.

      4. 04Day 4–0

        Full recovery

        Return to full activity, exercise, and work. Final results may still be settling. Final follow-up with local doctor recommended.

      It can take several weeks to fully recover from male breast reduction surgery, and you may need a few days off work. Your breasts may be sore, swollen and bruised for a few weeks. You will need to wear an elasticated compression garment day and night for 1 to 2 weeks after the operation to support your chest while it heals. Avoid stretching, strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for about 3 weeks. You can drive again when it is no longer painful to wear a seatbelt, which may be several weeks after the operation.

      Timeline - After 1 to 2 weeks: your stitches will either dissolve or be removed. - After about 6 weeks: you should be able to return fully to your normal activities. - Up to 6 months: it can take this long to see the full results of your surgery.

      *Reference text adapted from NHS (male breast reduction) under the Open Government Licence v3.0.*

      Questions to Ask Your Clinic

        Browse all destinations offering Gynaecomastia Surgery →Detailed cost breakdown →

        Frequently Asked Questions

        What is gynaecomastia?

        Gynaecomastia is the non-cancerous enlargement of one or both breasts in men, caused by the growth of breast tissue as a result of an imbalance between oestrogens and androgens. It is physically completely benign.

        What causes gynaecomastia?

        It is caused by an altered ratio of oestrogens to androgens. This can be normal in newborns, puberty, older men and obesity, or driven by liver, kidney or thyroid disease, some tumours, alcohol, certain drugs, Klinefelter syndrome, metabolic dysfunction or falling testosterone.

        Does gynaecomastia go away on its own?

        Often it does. Up to 70% of adolescent boys develop some degree of gynaecomastia, and about 75% of these cases resolve within two years of onset without any treatment.

        When is treatment warranted?

        Treatment is warranted when the condition does not resolve within two years, or when it causes embarrassment, pain or tenderness. This is the situation in which surgical or medical treatment is generally considered.

        Is gynaecomastia dangerous?

        Gynaecomastia itself is a benign finding and does not carry a poor prognosis. However, it frequently causes social and psychological difficulties such as low self-esteem, depression or shame, and the glandular tissue is often tender or painful.

        Who is most commonly affected?

        It is the most common benign disorder of the male breast and is most prevalent between the ages of 50 and 69, though it also occurs normally in newborns, in adolescents during puberty and in men who are obese.

        Related Procedures

        Other cosmetic surgery procedures in our registry

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