Male Breast Reduction
Are you thinking about getting a male breast reduction in Sydney?
Male breast reduction surgery is used to treat a medical condition known as gynecomastia.
Gynecomastia is a condition in which there is more male breast tissue than desired. This condition may be caused by many different factors but can usually be treated successfully through male breast reduction surgery.
Planning your male breast reduction surgery
What will happen during my male breast reduction consultation?
We encourage you to bring your partner, a family member or a friend to your initial consultation if you feel they can help you make a decision about how to proceed.
During your consultation, our qualified and experienced Sydney-based plastic surgeon, Dr Barnouti, will take your complete medical history and look for possible causes of gynecomastia. He will examine you and discuss your goals and lifestyle in detail to see if you are a suitable candidate for male breast reduction surgery.
To find out more about if male breast reduction surgery is right for you, book a consultation with Dr Barnouti today.
What happens during male breast reduction surgery?
Gynecomastia surgery involves making a small incision around the lower half of the areola (nipple). The breast tissue under the nipple is then removed through this incision.
The next stage of male breast reduction surgery is full chest liposuction to reduce and recontour the chest.
Finally, the incisions are sutured with the stitches normally located around the lower half of the areola. That way, the scar blends in nicely at the margins of the areola and will become virtually undetectable over time. Surgery can be done through a little stab incision via liposuction procedure, such as laser liposuction or micro air liposuction. Dr Barnouti can advise you more on that during your consultation.
The procedure takes around 1 hour, depending on the case’s complexity.
What happens after surgery?
A simple dressing at the wound site with a compression bandage over the chest area must be worn on the treated area for a week after surgery.
This can be uncomfortable, but it’s essential for effective healing. Drainage tubes may be applied to drain off excess fluids from the wounds and reduce the formation of bruises. These will be removed a few hours after your surgery.
Generally patients can go home the same day.
A follow-up appointment will be booked one week after your surgery so the dressing can be removed and the wound checked to ensure that it is healing well.
Dissolvable stiches are used so they won’t need to be removed.
How soon can I return to work and resume my normal activities after surgery?
You must rest completely for 24 to 48 hours after surgery and may experience a burning sensation.
You can return to work three days after male breast reduction surgery as long as your job does not involve strenuous physical labour.
You can resume all your regular activities, including exercise and sport, two to three weeks after your surgery.
To find out more about getting a male breast reduction:
Book a consultation with Dr Barnouti who will advise you on the best approach and expected outcome during your initial consultation at one of his three Sydney clinics.
Book online or call us on freephone at 1300 002 006 if you’re outside Sydney or 9561 0222 if you’re in the Sydney area.
Male Breast Surgery Costs
| Procedure | Price Estimate | Conditions / Comments |
|---|
| Correction of male breasts (Gynaecomastia) | $7,900–$11,990 | This fee covers the surgical operation, anaesthetic, compression garment, and 6 weeks of post-operative follow-up. If private fund cover does not apply to your situation, please plan for additional hospital costs of approximately $3,200. Where applicable, a Medicare rebate of approximately $600 may apply for eligible patients. |
FAQs Male Breast Reduction (Gynaecomastia)
Like all surgical procedures, male breast reduction carries inherent risks. Potential complications include infection, bleeding (haematoma), delayed wound healing, noticeable scarring, asymmetry, fluid accumulation, and temporary or permanent changes in nipple sensation. A comprehensive discussion of risks specific to your health profile will occur during your consultation.
Please read our Risks and Complications of Plastic Surgery page.
Under the latest AHPRA and Medical Board of Australia regulations, a GP referral is mandatory for all patients seeking cosmetic or reconstructive plastic surgery. This ensures that an independent doctor reviews your medical history, discusses your motivations, and assesses any underlying factors contributing to gynaecomastia before you meet with a specialist. It also triggers a mandatory 7-day cooling-off period before a surgical booking can be made.
Most patients return home on the same day as the surgery. You will be required to rest completely for 24 to 48 hours and wear a compression bandage over the chest for at least one week to support healing and reduce swelling. While you can typically return to non-strenuous work within three days, vigorous exercise and heavy lifting must be avoided for two to three weeks.
Yes, it is common to combine male breast reduction with other contouring procedures, such as abdominal liposuction or abdominal etching, to achieve a comprehensive upper-body result. Combining procedures means undergoing a single anaesthetic and a consolidated recovery period. However, this will increase the total duration of the surgery and must be clinically approved by your surgeon based on your overall health.
Yes, if your condition meets specific medical criteria outlined by Medicare, the procedure may be considered reconstructive rather than strictly cosmetic. Eligible patients may receive a Medicare rebate of approximately $600. Meeting these criteria may also allow your private health fund to contribute toward your hospital fees. Your specialist plastic surgeon will assess your eligibility during your consultation.
The estimated cost for gynaecomastia surgery ranges between $7,900 and $11,990. This fee generally covers the specialist surgeon’s fee, anaesthetic, your post-operative compression garment, and 6 weeks of follow-up care. If you do not hold eligible private health insurance, you should budget for an additional $3,200 in hospital or day surgery fees.
Male breast reduction is designed to treat gynaecomastia, a medical condition characterised by an overdevelopment of male breast tissue. The procedure typically involves a combination of techniques: a small incision is made around the lower half of the areola to surgically excise the glandular breast tissue, followed by targeted chest liposuction to recontour the surrounding area. This comprehensive approach aims to create a flatter, more masculine chest profile.
Page Content Clinically Reviewed by Dr Barnouti
Dr. Barnouti (MED: 0001192783) is a Board-Certified Specialist Plastic Surgeon with 25 years of experience performing advanced cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), a member of ASAPS, and serves as a Senior Lecturer at the University of NSW.
Dr. Barnouti operates out of leading, fully accredited Sydney hospitals with a strict focus on patient safety.
Dr. Barnouti (MED: 0001192783)