gynaecomastia

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gynaecomastia

Male chest reduction surgery removes excess breast tissue and fat, boosting your self-esteem with a flatter, firmer, more muscular chest.

what are the benefits of a male chest reduction?

Gynaecomastia surgery offers our male clients the chest of their dreams. Today, more men are discovering the benefits of chest reduction:

  • Increased self-confidence and esteem
  • A flatter, firmer and more contoured chest
  • Better chest muscle tone and definition
  • Clothes appear more flattering
  • Targets areas that exercise alone can’t change
  • Health benefits due to the removal of fat deposits
  • Long-lasting results

how can gynaecomastia be treated?

Your surgeon will discuss all of your options following a comprehensive consultation and assessment. Treatment options can include:

  • Do nothing – Some men don’t want or need treatment for gynaecomastia
  • Medication review – If medicine is causing the breast enlargement, your medical practitioner may stop you taking the medicine
  • Treatment – if an underlying disease is causing the condition
  • Medication prescription – like Tamoxifen, to regulate the hormones. This can involve life-long prescription and potential medication side effects, such as deep vein thrombosis.
  • Surgery – chest reduction surgery. A gynaecomastia procedure involves removing breast tissue and fat to create a tighter, firmer and more contoured chest. A general anaesthetic produces the best results, but if the gynaecomastia is mild, the correction can be performed under a local anaesthetic. Our highly skilled surgeons often combine gynaecomastia surgery with liposuction to further shape your chest.

at a glance

Procedure time

1-2 hours

Anaesthetic type

local/gen

Hospital stay

day/night

Recuperation

1-2 weeks

Price from

£4,500

Your four step journey

Your four step journey

your consultation

Our surgeons understand that gynaecomastia can be a difficult and distressing problem.

We understand you will have many questions when you are thinking about a male chest reduction. Your first step is to meet one of our highly experienced consultant plastic surgeons. They will tell you about the procedure and put your mind at ease.

your surgeon will:

  • Assess your medical history
  • Ask about your aims and expectations
  • Gauge whether a gynaecomastia procedure is correct for you
  • Discuss which technique they will use
  • Tell you about the potential risks and complications of a male chest reduction.

you can expect:

  • An examination of your chest
  • Your questions to be answered, such as aftercare and the recovery process
  • Your surgeon to show you before and after photographs of their work
  • A clinic letter detailing your discussion with your surgeon and surgical plan.

 

Sometimes, you may need other tests and examinations so your surgeon can make a definite diagnosis. These can include:

  • Mammogram (breast x-ray) and ultrasound scan (creating a picture of the breast using high-frequency sound waves)
  • Fine needle aspiration or core biopsy of breast tissue
  • Blood test to check your hormone profile
  • Medical examination of other body parts.

getting ready for your gynaecomastia surgery

Friendly support from our dedicated team.

pre-op assessments and advice

We will give you every opportunity to ask us questions before the procedure. Your pre-op meeting with your surgeon and regular contact with our expert team means you’ll be ready when your surgery day arrives.

Our preparation for your gynaecomastia procedure involves:

  • Information you need in the lead-up to your procedure
  • Pre-operative assessments a week before your breast reduction operation, including MRSA swabs
  • Medication advice – we’ll advise you about potential interactions with your medications. Two weeks before surgery, we’ll ask you to stop taking any that increase the risk of bleeding, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and herbal medicines
  • Smoking advice – you’ll need to stop smoking, using nicotine patches or gum at least four weeks before and after the procedure.

 

 

preparing for your hospital stay

We make your experience as easy and relaxed as possible.

Before your gynaecomastia correction:

  • You won’t eat or drink for six hours before your procedure except for clear water
  • Arrange for someone to pick you up from the hospital as you won’t be able to drive.

what to bring with you on the day:

  • Any medication you are taking
  • Post-surgery support garment
  • Dressing gown and slippers
  • Something to read
  • Toiletries.

male chest reduction surgery

With a flatter, firmer, toned chest, your new shape can transform your confidence and esteem.

at the hospital

We will admit you to a CQC-registered hospital for your gynaecomastia correction.

  • Your surgeon will be there to answer any concerns you have, take photographs, and mark up your body ready for surgery.
  • Your anaesthetist will also see you before the procedure so that you can ask them about the anaesthetic. As well as a general anaesthetic, we use a local anaesthetic infiltration to make you comfortable after your male chest reduction.

 

male chest reduction – what happens?

Our expert surgeons tailor your surgery according to the severity of your gynaecomastia. The procedure usually takes one to two hours to perform, either under a local anaesthetic (suitable for grade 1 gynaecomastia) or a general anaesthetic (grades 2 and 3). Some gynaecomastia reductions are day cases, but others require an overnight stay in the hospital.

  • Grade 1 correction – performed under local anaesthetic as a day case. The surgeon makes a small incision around the bottom half of the areola, through which they remove excess breast tissue. The scar fades well and, once mature, is challenging to detect.
  • Grade 2a and 2b correction – usually performed under a general anaesthetic. The surgical technique is the same as grade 1 correction, but your surgeon uses liposuction to contour your chest area further. If a drain is applied, you’ll stay in the hospital overnight, and your surgeon will remove it the following day before you leave the hospital.
  • Grade 3 correction – carried out under a general anaesthetic as a day case. There are two surgical options:
  • Mastectomy and a free nipple graft – the nipple-areola complex is removed; the excess skin and breast tissue are excised, and the nipple-areola complex is replaced correctly as a skin graft.
  • A Wise-pattern, anchor or inverted-T breast reduction – your surgeon makes an incision around the areola, which extends down vertically to the crease below the breast, where a horizontal cut is made. This method is powerful, as your surgeon can remove the skin in a horizontal or vertical direction and remove excess breast tissue.

At the end of your male chest reduction procedure, your surgeon will use a suture and glue technique pioneered by one of our award-winning surgeons so that you can shower immediately after your surgery. Then, you’ll be placed in a support (compression) garment that you’ll wear for six weeks.

after your gynaecomastia surgery

We take our patient care seriously.

getting home

  • We will put you at ease by giving you post-operative advice before you leave the hospital.
  • We recommend that a friend, family member, or taxi take you home when you leave the hospital, as you can’t drive.

outstanding aftercare

  • You will stay under your surgeon’s direct care, with support from our focused team
  • We don’t pass you to a nurse for follow-up care
  • We give you a 24/7 telephone number to call with further questions
  • Our team can refer you to your surgeon directly at any time.

 

recovery timeline

Downtime and complications are minimal because of our expert surgeons’ care. Your recovery will largely depend on the type of gynaecomastia surgery you’ve had. We will give you tailored advice about your aftercare and recovery. However, as a general guide, you can expect:
same day
  • Grade 1 – you’ll go home
  • Grade 2 and 3 – you may go home or stay in the hospital overnight
  • You can shower straightaway – a wound closure technique pioneered by our surgeons means you can shower straight away.
following day
  • If you’ve had a drain, we will discharge you from the hospital after it is removed
  • Mobilise as much as you can.
first two weeks
  • How you will feel – it is usual to feel sore and tender after your chest reduction procedure, but the pain relief we prescribe will reduce any discomfort
  • Some bruising and swelling – over the treated areas
  • Sleeping – sleep on your back with your head elevated, as this will help your recovery
  • Movement – we’ll encourage you to move about as much as possible but suggest you avoid strenuous activity
  • Help with daily activities – you may feel more tired than usual, so it’s best to have someone assist you
  • Work – you may want to take one to two weeks to recuperate before returning to work, but this may be a little longer depending on your job
  • Healing – gynaecomastia correction takes one to two weeks to heal
  • Follow-up appointment with your surgeon in two weeks.
two weeks and beyond
  • Stitches dissolve, so they won’t need to be removed
  • Driving – when you have stopped taking pain medication and can perform an emergency manoeuvre (stop), usually from three weeks
  • Short-haul flights – after four weeks
  • Back to normal activities, including exercise – at six weeks
  • Compression (support) garment – worn for six weeks, except in the shower.
  • Long-haul flight – at six weeks
  • Results – you will notice a difference immediately, but see full results in three-six months
  • Follow-up appointments – your consultant surgeon will review you to monitor how you’re healing and recovering
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle to ensure the results are permanent.

You can exercise six weeks after your male chest reduction.

Most patients take two weeks to recover before returning to work, but this may be a little longer if your job involves manual labour.

You should wear your post-op support garment for six weeks, apart from in the shower or bath.

You can start driving once you have stopped taking pain medication and can perform an emergency manoeuvre (stop), usually about three weeks after the procedure.

You’ll need a week’s grace for any travel. We advise waiting four weeks before boarding a plane – and up to six weeks for a long-haul flight.

You will immediately notice a difference but see the best results after the swelling has subsided. Note that it can take three-six months to see your chest reduction’s full effects.

You will have scars after surgery, but they will fade gradually over the first year.


before and after

frequently asked questions

We have partnered with Plim to offer tailored finance options that help you pay for your procedure – and we are clear about the costs of surgery at every stage.

Find out more about finance.

All operations involve some risk, but it’s relatively low in male breast reduction surgery.

Possible complications of gynaecomastia correction include infection, bleeding, scarring, numbness, risk of losing the nipple-areola complex, fat necrosis (lumps in the breast), T-junction delay and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Your surgeon will explain the risks and complications associated with your operation in more detail during the consultation.

At The Levant Clinic, all our surgeons are accredited by the General Medical Council (GMC) and hold the FCRS (Plast) qualification. We take the utmost care to minimise any complications.

In your initial consultation, your surgeon will discuss the type of anaesthetic recommended for chest reduction surgery. For example, grade 1 gynaecomastia can be performed under local anaesthetic, whereas a general anaesthetic is preferred for grades 2 and 3.

You’ll be given ample time to discuss your concerns, discover your options and consider the most suitable approach for you.

It helps to think about what you want to ask in advance and bring the list of questions. But if you forget to ask something during the consultation, don’t worry – you can always contact our specialist team, who can get the answer direct from your surgeon. The questions you may want to consider are:

  • Is this procedure right for me?
  • What surgical technique is recommended for me?
  • What length of recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
  • How can I expect my breast reduction to look over time?
  • What should I do to get the best results?
  • May I see some before and after photos for this procedure?

Having a chest reduction is a personal choice. If you want a permanent way to develop more masculine chest contours, then a gynaecomastia may be right for you. It can be an excellent way to:

  • Enhance your confidence and self-esteem
  • Create a flatter, firmer and more contoured chest
  • Improve chest muscle and skin tone
  • Reduce fat deposits in your breast tissue
  • Have a wider choice of clothes and swimwear
  • Achieve long-lasting results

Contact us today – book a consultation to discuss your options.

The grading system, devised by scientists to help diagnose gynaecomastia, is categorised according to severity:

  • Grade 1 – slight breast enlargement and no excess skin – you can see some small breast growth that may or may not show through clothes
  • Grade 2a – moderate breast enlargement and no excess skin – breast growth expands across the width of the chest and can be seen through skin-tight clothing such as T-shirts, causing distress. Breast surgery reduction is advised
  • Grade 2b – moderate breast enlargement and excess skin – the breast tissue expands significantly beyond the chest width and has some extra skin that’s noticeable through clothing
  • Grade 3 – significant breast enlargement and excess skin – the breasts are visible and look like female breasts. Surgery will reduce them to average size and shape.

why choose the levant clinic?

We focus on results, safety, and care.

From the moment you first call us, you’ll have a point of contact in our dedicated team to answer all your questions. We promise you:

  • Highly experienced surgeons – award-winning surgeons with five-star ratings
  • Safety – GMC-accredited surgeons on the specialist register for plastic surgery
  • Prestigious London hospitals
  • Results you can trust
  • Competitively priced for our expertise
  • Comprehensive consultations – plenty of time to talk to your surgeon and ask questions, with detailed patient information tailored to you.
  • Outstanding follow-up care – as many post-operative appointments as you need – all with your surgeon. We don’t pass you to a nurse for this, as your aftercare is vital.
  • Peace of mind – 24-hour support through our patient helpline.

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meet the team

Mr Navid Jallali

Mr Navid Jallali is one of the most highly experienced and trusted consultant plastic surgeons and reconstructive surgeons, practising in the UK.

Mr Davood Fallahdar

Mr. Fallahdar is a renowned and trusted consultant plastic surgeon with over 15 years of experience in all aspects of plastic surgery.

Debbie

As Levant’s practice manager, Debbie reflects our values of high-quality patient care and professionalism.


contact us today

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