Gynecomastia surgery candidates include:

• Men whose condition cannot be corrected through alternative medical treatments
• Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
• Nonsmokers and non-drug users
• Men with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for improving the physical symptoms of gynecomastia
• Men who are physically healthy and of relatively normal weight
• Men who have realistic expectations
• Men whose breast development has stabilized
• Men who are bothered by the feeling that their breasts are too large

The non-surgical methods employed for management of gynecomastia include:

• In case of drug induced gynecomastia, replacement of the offending drug with an alternative and safer medication
• Medical treatment of the underlying disease conditions causing gynecomastia

In patients not responding to non-surgical options, surgery is considered as the last option. The surgical methods for management of gynecomastia include:

• Liposuction
• Gland excision
• Skin sculpture
• Reduction mammoplasty
• Combination of the surgical techniques mentioned above

The basic steps involved in surgery are as follows:

• The surgery can be performed under general or local anesthesia.
• The patient is anesthetized.
• A small incision is made below the areola region of the breast.
• Excessive breast tissue is surgically removed.
• Excessive fat is removed by liposuction.
• The incision is sutured closed.

Normally the surgery takes about 90 minutes. After surgery patients are often advised to wear an elastic pressure garment or ace bandage that promotes healing. Patients are also advised on rehabilitation exercises for at least 3 weeks and can return to normal activities in 6 weeks.

Initial male breast reduction recovery time takes about 1-2 weeks on average. During this time, patients will want to take it easy, and must avoid strenuous activity to facilitate healing and prevent complications.