--- title: "Gynecomastia Surgery" --- Gynecomastia surgery, or male breast reduction, treats enlarged male breast tissue by removing excess glandular tissue and fat and recontouring the chest. Liposuction addresses the fatty component, while firm glandular tissue is excised through a small half-moon incision at the edge of the areola; in large cases, excess skin is removed. A physical exam, sometimes with imaging, confirms gynecomastia and rules out other causes before surgery. ## What it does Male breast reduction targets the two components that enlarge the chest. - Removes glandular tissue. The firm tissue beneath the nipple that diet and exercise cannot shift is excised. - Removes excess fat. Liposuction addresses the fatty component and refines the surrounding contour. - Recontours the chest. The result is a flatter, firmer, more masculine chest shape. Because the glandular tissue does not respond to weight loss, surgery is the established treatment when the enlargement is glandular rather than simply fatty. ## How it works Surgery is usually an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, or local anesthesia with sedation. Liposuction removes the fatty tissue through tiny incisions, and firm glandular tissue is excised through a small, half-moon incision at the lower edge of the areola, where the scar is well concealed; in very large cases, excess skin is removed as well. Most men return to desk work within about a week, with exercise resumed after a couple of weeks in a compression garment. Which technique leads, liposuction, excision, or both, depends on whether your enlargement is mostly fat, mostly gland, or a mix, which the exam determines. ## Which technique, and why the exam comes first The right approach depends on the type of gynecomastia, so diagnosis drives the plan. TypeWhat it isThe techniqueMostly fattyExcess fat, little glandLiposuction aloneMostly glandularFirm tissue under the nippleExcision through the areolaMixedBoth fat and glandLiposuction plus excisionWith excess skinLarge or long-standingExcision plus skin removal A proper exam, sometimes with an ultrasound, confirms gynecomastia, distinguishes gland from fat, and rules out other causes, including the rare possibility of male breast cancer. The technique is then matched to what is actually there. ## What gynecomastia surgery works with This is what the consultation assesses, because the cause and type shape the plan. What you noticeWhat it suggestsThe planFirm tissue under the nippleGlandular gynecomastiaExcision through the areolaSoft, diffuse fullnessFatty componentLiposuctionPuffy nipple or areolaGland behind the areolaTargeted excisionLarge, sagging chestSkin excess tooExcision with skin removalRecent onset or one sideNeeds a cause checkExam, and imaging if indicated The value is not the list. It is that a board-certified surgeon confirms the diagnosis, rules out other causes, and matches the technique to your chest, for a natural, masculine result. ## Why Santa Barbara Face & Body Gynecomastia carries real self-consciousness, and men want it handled discreetly and well. Dr. Polynice is a Mayo-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon focused on breast and body surgery, and he confirms the diagnosis first, then removes gland and fat through concealed incisions for a flat, natural chest that does not look operated on. A masculine contour and a well-hidden scar are the standard here. ## What to expect Dr. Polynice examines your chest to confirm gynecomastia, distinguish gland from fat, and rule out other causes, ordering imaging if anything warrants it. He explains whether liposuction, excision, or both fit your case, where the incision goes, and what recovery looks like, including the compression garment. He also discusses whether an underlying cause, such as a medication, should be addressed. You leave with a plan matched to your diagnosis. ## What it costs Gynecomastia surgery is quoted by the plan, not by a shelf price, because it depends on whether your case needs liposuction, excision, or both, and the extent of the work. You will have that number in writing at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. > What Is Gynecomastia Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons (United States). Standard gynecomastia surgery removes excess glandular tissue by excision through a half-moon incision at the areola, uses liposuction for excess fat, and removes skin in large cases; a physical exam, sometimes with ultrasound, confirms the diagnosis and rules out male breast cancer. — [What Is Gynecomastia Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons](https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/articles/what-is-gynecomastia-surgery-and-is-it-right-for-you) > Gynecomastia Surgery (Male Breast Reduction), Cleveland Clinic (United States). Describes removal of excess fat, tissue, and skin using liposuction, excision, or both, as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia, with recovery supported by a compression garment; the removed tissue does not regrow. — [Gynecomastia Surgery](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24022-gynecomastia-surgery) ## Gynecomastia Surgery in Santa Barbara, CA Excess male breast tissue can affect confidence at any age — and gynecomastia surgery offers a flatter, firmer chest with results that look natural. In our Santa Barbara practice, Dr. Polynice treats this with discretion and skill, placing incisions carefully for a masculine, well-proportioned contour. If it's something you've wanted to address, a private consultation is the place to start. Fill out the form below or call us at [(805) 764-9074](tel:+18057649074). 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A physical exam distinguishes gland from fat, and surgery is the established treatment when the tissue is glandular." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where is the scar?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Glandular tissue is removed through a small, half-moon incision at the lower edge of the areola, where the color change hides the scar well. Liposuction is done through tiny separate incisions. In very large cases, additional incisions may be needed to remove excess skin, which a surgeon will explain in advance." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will it come back after surgery?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The glandular tissue that is removed does not grow back, so the result is generally lasting. However, significant weight gain, or continuing a cause such as anabolic steroids or certain medications, can bring back fullness, so addressing the underlying cause matters. Your surgeon will discuss this with you." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need any tests first?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Often a physical exam is enough to confirm gynecomastia, but if the enlargement is recent, one-sided, tender, or otherwise unusual, a surgeon may order imaging such as an ultrasound to check the cause and, importantly, rule out the rare possibility of male breast cancer before proceeding." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How soon can I go back to the gym?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Most men return to desk work within about a week and to exercise after a couple of weeks, wearing a compression garment to support healing and reduce swelling. 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