Gynecomastia surgery removes excess glandular tissue and fat to create a flatter, firmer chest. At SVIA® Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeons Drs. Jerome and Tom Liu perform gynecomastia surgery in Los Gatos with a focus on natural, masculine contours.
Male Breast Reduction From Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons advises that the most important choice in gynecomastia surgery is selecting a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Jerome Liu and Dr. Tom Liu are both certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, ASPS members, and among the few surgeons nationwide to complete fellowship training in aesthetic plastic surgery.
That training matters in chest contouring, where small differences in how tissue is removed shape the final result. Together, the doctors bring extensive experience in breast surgery, liposuction, and chest procedures, and they approach each patient with the honesty and discretion the practice is known for.
What Is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is an increase in breast gland tissue in boys or men, caused by an imbalance between the hormones estrogen and testosterone. It can affect one or both sides, sometimes unevenly, and it is fairly common: an estimated 24 to 65 percent of men ages 50 to 80 have it.
Several factors can contribute to gynecomastia:
- Natural hormone changes during puberty or with aging
- Certain medications, including some anti-androgens, anabolic steroids, and antidepressants
- Heredity
- Weight gain
- Some health conditions that affect hormone levels
Gynecomastia differs from pseudogynecomastia, which is excess chest fat without extra gland tissue. The distinction matters because it guides treatment:
- Fat alone often responds to liposuction
- Firm glandular tissue typically requires surgical removal
When gynecomastia develops during puberty, it frequently resolves on its own within six months to two years.
How Gynecomastia Surgery Works
Also called male breast reduction, gynecomastia surgery flattens the chest by removing the tissue responsible for fullness. Gynecomastia can involve excess fat, excess gland tissue, and sometimes excess skin, so the surgical plan depends on which are present:
- Liposuction: Removes excess fat through small incisions and helps smooth the chest and surrounding areas.
- Gland excision: Removes firm glandular tissue, typically through a small incision along the lower edge of the areola.
- Skin reduction: In more advanced cases, excess skin is removed, and the areola may be reduced or repositioned.
Many patients benefit from a combination of liposuction and excision, which allows the surgeon to remove dense tissue while blending the chest smoothly into the sides and underarms.
Benefits of Gynecomastia Surgery
The primary benefit of gynecomastia surgery is a flatter, more defined chest that better matches the rest of your physique. Patients often report these additional advantages:
- More comfort in clothing: Fitted shirts, T-shirts, and swimwear sit more naturally.
- Relief from physical symptoms: Removing gland tissue can ease the tenderness and nipple sensitivity some men experience.
- Improved symmetry: Uneven chest tissue can be balanced side to side.
- Greater confidence: Many men feel more at ease during exercise, at the beach, and in intimate settings.
- Lasting results: Removed gland tissue does not grow back, although weight changes, some medications, and steroid use can affect results.
Are You a Good Candidate for Gynecomastia Surgery?
You may be a candidate for gynecomastia surgery if chest fullness has persisted despite a healthy weight and lifestyle. Good candidates typically share these traits:
- In good overall health, with a stable weight
- Chest development that has lasted beyond puberty or has not responded to other treatment
- Any underlying medical cause, such as a medication or hormone condition, already evaluated or addressed
- Nonsmokers, or willing to stop before and after surgery
- Realistic expectations about the result
Because gynecomastia can have medical causes, Dr. Jerome Liu or Dr. Tom Liu will review your health history and medications during your consultation. If a treatable cause is found, addressing it first may be recommended before surgery is considered.
Why Choose SVIA® Plastic Surgery for Gynecomastia Surgery in Los Gatos?
Men choose SVIA® Plastic Surgery in Los Gatos for gynecomastia surgery for its surgical expertise and discreet, personal care. Both surgeons trained in general and plastic surgery at UCLA Medical Center before completing specialized aesthetic fellowships: Dr. Jerome Liu at UT Southwestern and the Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute, and Dr. Tom Liu at an aesthetic and microsurgery program in San Francisco.
The practice also performs chest masculinization as part of its gender-affirming care, giving the team a focused experience in sculpting a flat, natural-looking male chest.
What to Expect Before, During, and After
Consultation
Your consultation includes a chest examination, a review of your medical history and medications, and a discussion of what you would like to change. Your surgeon will determine whether fat, gland tissue, excess skin, or a combination is present and recommend a plan.
The cost of gynecomastia surgery in Los Gatos depends on several factors:
- Techniques used: Liposuction, gland excision, and skin removal can be used alone or combined, and each affects surgical time.
- Anesthesia: Fees vary based on the type of anesthesia and the length of the procedure.
- Facility fees: These cover the surgical suite, staff, and supplies used on the day of your procedure.
According to ASPS, the national average surgeon's fee is $5,587, which does not include anesthesia or operating room costs. Most insurance plans do not cover male breast reduction, and SVIA® Plastic Surgery is an out-of-network provider. The consultation fee can be applied toward surgery, and patient financing is available for qualified applicants.
The Gynecomastia Procedure
Gynecomastia surgery is an outpatient procedure that usually takes one to three hours. Your surgeon first uses liposuction to reduce fat, then removes glandular tissue through a discreet incision at the edge of the areola. If needed, excess skin is trimmed, and the areola is reduced. Incisions are closed carefully to minimize visible scarring.
Recovery and Results
Recovery after gynecomastia surgery follows a gradual timeline, based on your surgeon's guidance:
- First few days: Expect soreness, tightness, and some swelling while you rest at home.
- About one week: Most men return to desk work and light daily activities.
- Several weeks: Swelling and bruising steadily fade.
- Four to six weeks: Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting can typically resume.
- A few months: Your final chest shape becomes clear as healing completes.
Throughout your early recovery, you will wear a compression garment to reduce swelling and support your new contour.
Gynecomastia Surgery FAQs
What are the risks of gynecomastia surgery?
Can gynecomastia come back after surgery?
Will I have noticeable scars?
Does insurance cover gynecomastia surgery?
Can teenagers have gynecomastia surgery?
Is gynecomastia surgery painful?
What are the risks of gynecomastia surgery?
Risks include bleeding or hematoma, infection, scarring, changes in nipple or chest sensation, contour irregularities, and asymmetry. Choosing a board-certified plastic surgeon and following your aftercare instructions helps lower these risks.
Can gynecomastia come back after surgery?
Removed gland tissue does not typically return. However, significant weight gain, anabolic steroid use, or certain medications can cause new fullness, so maintaining a stable weight helps protect your results.
Will I have noticeable scars?
Incisions are usually small and placed along the edge of the areola or in natural creases, where they tend to fade well over time. More extensive skin removal involves longer incisions.
Does insurance cover gynecomastia surgery?
Most health insurance plans do not cover male breast reduction, according to ASPS. SVIA® Plastic Surgery is an out-of-network provider, and the team can discuss payment and financing options with you.
Can teenagers have gynecomastia surgery?
Because adolescent gynecomastia often resolves on its own, surgery is generally considered only after the chest has stopped changing. Your surgeon will evaluate each case individually.
Is gynecomastia surgery painful?
Most patients describe soreness and tightness rather than severe pain, which is typically manageable with medication for the first several days.
