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Male Chest Reduction (Gynecomastia) FAQs

Home » Cosmetic Surgery » Body Surgery » Male Chest Reduction/ Gynaecomastia Removal treatment » Male Chest Reduction – Frequently Asked Questions

Please see our frequently asked questions for Male Chest Reduction.

FAQs

What are puffy or pointed nipples?

Puffy or pointed nipples could be caused by a number of factors.

When referring to puffy nipples, you are more likely to be talking about the entire areola area of the breast or male chest. An excess in fat or glandular tissue can cause swelling of the area which gives the puffy appearance.

Conditions such as gynecomastia and tuberous breasts can cause the appearance of puffy or pointed nipples in men and women.

Large nipples can also cause the appearance of a puffy or pointed nipple in men or women. Nipple reduction surgery can help to reduce the size of the nipple so that it is more in proportion to the rest of your chest or breast. Find out more about nipple reduction surgery here.

Why have a male chest reduction?

Male chest reduction procedures are cosmetic surgery and the decision to undergo surgery should be a decision that you have made and feel comfortable and confident with. Our surgeons at The Private Clinic are highly experienced in male chest reduction and will be able to leave you feeling well informed about your options after your consultation.

Many men choose to have male chest reduction as they are feeling self-conscious of the appearance of their chest especially men who are following a healthy lifestyle and their efforts at weight loss have not made an impact on their chest.

To find out more about male chest reduction procedures click here to book a consultation.

How long does a Male Chest Reduction procedure take?

On average male chest reduction procedures can take between 1 – 2 hours to complete. These timings will vary however depending on what type of procedure you are having, the amount of tissue/fat that you are having removed and they type of anaesthetic being used.

After your consultation at The Private Clinic, your surgeon will be able to advise you on the most appropriate treatment for you. Once you have decided to go ahead, full details about the procedure including the length of time it is estimated to take will be provided to you. To find out more about male chest reduction procedures click here to book a consultation.

How Soon Will I See the Results from Male Chest Reduction Surgery?

Once you have had a male chest reduction procedure at The Private Clinic, you will certainly be able to see the initial results straight away. It is important to remember however that you will have to go through some healing time where swelling may be present. Your final results are best seen 6 months after the procedure once you are fully healed.

How much does Male Chest Reduction cost UK?

The Private Clinic sees over 15,000 new patients every year and perform over 10,000 procedures, with one of the highest patients’ satisfaction in the sector, Trustpilot 5 star rating, 98% would recommend us to their friends and family. 

The Private Clinic prides itself on its commitment to Medical Expertise, Patient Care and Satisfaction, Honest advice and most importantly Results. We are above all committed to quality. For more information about The Private Clinic, our experience and medical expertise click here.

Male Chest Reduction cost can be part of your decision to undergo a procedure but it should never be the deciding factor. Gynaecomastia surgical excision & liposuction costs start from £7,460 

Consultations with our experts are £100 at our clinics in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

We also offer consultations with our highly experienced Patient Coordinators which require a £25 refundable deposit to secure your place. These are available in BirminghamLeedsManchester and Northampton.

Patient coordinators are able to offer you all the information you require prior to meeting a liposuction doctor or plastic surgeon.

All consultations at our London Harley Street clinic are with a surgeon.

What is male chest reduction?

A male chest reduction is a cosmetic surgery procedure that aims to reduce excess fat and glandular tissue to leave patients with a firmer, flatter and more masculine contour to the chest.

Male breast reduction procedures are most suited to men who are suffering with gynecomastia or enlarged male breasts and treatments include liposuction or surgical removal.

To find out more about male chest reduction procedures click here to book a consultation.

How do I choose a Male Chest Reduction clinic?

Choosing the right clinic for your male chest reduction surgery can be difficult.

You should make sure that the clinic only offers board-certified surgeons who have had several years of experience in the procedure. It’s also important to verify that the clinic or hospital provider is registered with the CQC (Care Quality Commission) which is the independent regular of health and social care services within England.

A good way to get an idea of what you can expect your results to look like is to take a look at a range of before and after photos from your selected clinic and/or surgeon. It is also important to read through patient reviews as these can also give you a good indication of what experience and results you can anticipate.

Our male chest reduction page is a great way to find out more about the procedure and our surgeons. We also have a gallery of male chest reduction before and after photos and we encourage you to look through our patient reviews too.

We are also pleased to be able to showcase a Male Chest Reduction story, from our patient Alex, who discusses his procedure journey and comments on his results!

To find out more or to book a consultation click here.

What is gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia, more commonly known as man boobs is a common condition that causes the chest tissue to swell and appear larger than normal. The excess tissue can feel rubbery or firm and often extends outwardly from the centre of the nipples affecting either one or both breasts.

Gynecomastia must first be distinguished from other similar conditions such as pseudogynecomastia which can all give the same appearance of an enlarged chest of a male. Pseudogynecomastia can greatly be reduced with weight loss whereas true gynecomastia can only be helped with a surgical procedure.

To find out more about gynecomastia click here to book a consultation with one of our surgeons who will be able to assess your suitability for surgery.

What are man boobs?

Man Boobs is essentially a slang name or common terminology for an enlarged male chest. The term man boobs seems to have first originated in the early 2000’s quickly gaining popularity and being used in media across the Western world.

It is when excess fat or glandular tissue forms around the male chest which gives the appearance of breasts.

Gynecomastia, or man boobs is a condition that causes an excess of glandular tissue in the male chest which can give the appearance of an enlarged chest. This appearance can often be similar to that of a women’s breast which is how the name ‘man boobs’ was created.

At The Private Clinic, we can treat Man boobs, the best place to start is to book a consultation with one of our surgeons.

What is Pseudogynecomastia?

Pseudogynecomastia also known as lipomastia is when the appearance of male breasts is because of fatty deposits and not glandular breast tissue. This is most commonly seen in overweight men. Usually a routine of regular exercise and healthy eating will eventually reduce the appearance of Pseudogynecomastia but in some cases the fat can be stubborn and cosmetic surgery such as vaser liposuction may be suitable to help improve the appearance of the chest.

If you are struggling to tell the difference between pseudogynecomastia and true gynecomastia then please contact us to book a male chest reduction appointment with one of our experienced surgeons.

What causes gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is caused by a hormonal imbalance between the hormones testosterone and oestrogen. When a male lacks testosterone the increase in Oestrogen causes breast tissue to grow.  Gynecomastia is common in newborn baby boys, puberty and older age due to the change in hormones. In rare cases gynecomastia can be caused as a side effect from medication, illegal drugs, excessive alcohol consumption, Klinefelter’s syndrome and health abnormalities such as kidney failure or liver disease.

It is best to book a consultation with our Plastic Surgeons to discuss your situation and what can be achieved.

How can gynecomastia be corrected?

We offer a range of male chest reduction treatments at The Private Clinic to correct the appearance of gynecomastia. Procedures that we offer include; Vaser Liposuction, Micro liposuction and Surgical liposuction / removal.

Once you have had a consultation with one of our expert surgeons, they will be able to recommend the best treatment that is going to help you get your desired results. The decision usually depends on the severity of your condition.

Click here to book an appointment.

How does Male Chest Reduction differ following weight loss?

Many of our patients at The Private Clinic who visit us for male chest reduction have gone through substantial weight loss in an effort to reduce the appearance of man boobs.

After significant weight loss, your chest fat can completely or mostly disappear which then results in skin that is sagging and stretched in the area. In these circumstances, a more complex male chest reduction procedure will need to be performed. You could require tissue reduction which can entail more prominent incisions.

Unfortunately this is the only way to ensure an optimal chest shape. In the more severe cases, the incisions must be made around the areola border, down to the inframammary line as well as in the breast crease, leaving an inverted T-shape looking scar. This is called the anchor reduction technique, and has commonalities with the female breast reduction procedure, in terms of the incisions and scarring. Your surgeon will advise you on the best possible scar care and by following this you can ensure that your scar will fade gradually over time eventually becoming much lighter and not as visible.

What Male Chest Reduction Surgery involve?

In Vaser Lipo treatments, fat is liquefied and removed from the body through a gentle suction process.

MicroLipo utilises a similar process but uses micro cannulas to minimise disruption to the body and does not use Vaser probes to break down the fat.



Far less invasive than traditional liposuction, Vaser Lipo and MicroLipo are walk-in walk-out procedures which don’t require hospital stays or long times away from work or sports activities. The results are very soft and natural looking. Both procedures are typically performed under local anaesthetic and sometimes with sedation.

Surgical liposuction is slightly more invasive compared to Vaser and MicoLipo. The procedure takes place under general anaesthetic and involves the surgeon making a small incision in the area being treated before applying a thin plastic tube called a cannula. A powerful vacuum device on one side of the cannula is then used to remove fat quickly and efficiently.

If you require surgical excision, this is usually performed under general anaesthetic and involves the surgeon removing excess glandular tissue from the male chest. Liposuction can also be used to reduce any excess fat and excess skin can also be removed if needed.

To find out more about the treatments what we have to offer for male chest reduction or to book a consultation click here.

Does Male Chest Reduction Surgery Hurt?

You will not feel pain during your male chest reduction procedure. Before the procedure starts you will have either local or general anaesthetic depending on the severity of your procedure.

Micro Liposuction and Vaser Liposuction at The Private Clinic are most commonly performed under a local anaesthetic. You should remain pain-free during your procedure with minimal discomfort.

Surgical Liposuction or Excision surgery is often performed under general anaesthetic so no discomfort or pain will be felt for the procedure.

You will be prescribed painkillers after your male chest reduction procedure which will help you during your recovery period so any pain should be minimal.

What scarring is there following male chest reduction surgery?

Scars after male chest reduction surgery will vary depending on which procedure you had. For those treated with Vaser Liposuction or Micro-Lipo then you will have small 3 mm scars at the incision sites on the chest and underarm areas but these do not require stitches and will heal and gradually fade over time. A surgical gynecomastia correction may involve some scarring around the nipple and in more severe cases the incision may run down the chest area when excess tissue or skin needs to be removed but this is rare. The best option is to come in and discuss your case with a Cosmetic Surgeon who will be able to advise on the best options for you.

How long will I need to wear a compression garment for following male chest reduction?

The length of time that you need to wear a compression garment after male reduction surgery will vary between patients and the procedure that they had. In most cases, it will be recommended that you wear the garment at all times for 6 weeks and then during the day for a further 3 weeks but this will be confirmed by your surgeon in their aftercare plan. A compression garment helps to control swelling, prevents seromas, stimulates blood flow and allows for skin contraction promoting better healing. Many patients keep their compression garments to wear as they wish in the future.

When can I return to work following male chest reduction surgery?

We advise taking at least a week off to recover from your gynecomastia procedure. Depending on the nature of your job role, you may need to take an additional week as you will need to avoid heavy lifting and stretching for the first few weeks of recovery.

How Long Will the Results from Male Chest Reduction Last?

If the glandular breast tissue has been removed then it is unlikely to return. This is the same with fat cells however the only way to ensure that other fat cells do not expand and your results are maintained is by following a healthy diet and exercise plan.

When can I exercise after Male Chest Reduction Surgery?

We recommend that vigorous exercise and heavy lifting is avoided for 6 weeks post-procedure. If you start exercising too soon after your procedure then you can increase your risk for post-op complications such as swelling, pain and in severe cases hematoma so it is best to listen to your surgeon’s advice.

You are encouraged to be active after gynecomastia correction procedures so walking around and light gentle exercise should be fine in the week following surgery. Light cardio workouts could then start to be carried out 2 weeks post-surgery and you can start to ease yourself back into your gym routine again 3 weeks post-op. We do advise that upper body workouts are still then avoided for 6 weeks unless your surgeon has advised otherwise.

Full post-op care advice will be discussed with you at your consultation and after your procedure before you return home. Click here to book a consultation with one of our expert male chest reduction surgeons.

Are there any complications associated with Male Chest Reduction procedures?

As always there are risks involved with any procedure, but at The Private Clinic, our medical team’s experience ensures these are kept to a minimum and are always explained in full to you during consultation.

There will be some swelling and bruising after the procedure, however, this should subside within a few weeks. We’ll give you a compression garment to wear after your procedure which will help minimise swelling and bruising. 



Risks associated with male chest reduction surgery in particular include wound infection, seroma, temporary numbness and scarring. Your surgeon will discuss the risks in full during your consultation to ensure you are fully informed before deciding to go ahead with your procedure.

What does a free male chest reduction consultation mean?

We offer free male chest reduction phone and video consultations with our experienced patient coordinators.

Our patient coordinators can provide information on the procedures we offer and the best male chest reduction surgeons that will suit your requirements.

To secure your timed consultation slot, we do require a £25 deposit but this is refunded in full once the consultation takes place. You will be able to change your appointment time up to 48 hours before.

Contact us to book your free phone or video consultation.