Is it the same as gynecomastia surgery?
Yes. Male breast reduction, gynaecomastia surgery and man boobs surgery all mean the same operation. Surgeons write gynaecomastia in their notes; most men search for one of the other names.
Exercise first, or surgery?
Exercise and weight loss shrink fat, including fat on the chest. They don't shrink gland. Surgeons want your weight steady before they operate. Losing weight first can shrink a fatty chest a lot, and it shows how much of what's left is firm gland, which only surgery removes.
Chest training builds the muscle underneath, which can make a small chest look firmer, but it can also push a disc of gland forward and make the nipple look puffier.
Which operation
The surgeon feels the chest. Soft all over: liposuction may be enough. A firm disc behind the nipple: gland excision with liposuction. Large, with a fold or loose skin: excision with skin removal. Read the surgery explained.
Recovery in short
Most men go home the same day. Someone has to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours. About one to two weeks off a desk job, the vest for three to six weeks, no chest training for four to six weeks. Recovery, week by week.
What it costs
€3,000 to €6,900 in Ireland: €3,000 to €3,300 for smaller cases under local anaesthetic, €6,500 to €6,900 under a general anaesthetic in hospital, and from about €6,500 with skin removal. See our price guide.
Is it right for you?
Surgery isn't the right step yet if:
- you're under 18, or it started in the last year or so
- a GP hasn't checked the cause, or a medicine or steroids could be behind it
- it's on one side only, or there's a hard lump, and a GP hasn't seen it
- your weight is still going down or up
Questions people ask
What is man boobs surgery called?
Male breast reduction, or gynaecomastia surgery.
How much is male breast reduction in Ireland?
€3,000 to €6,900, depending on the anaesthetic, the hospital and whether skin is removed.
Can I get rid of man boobs without surgery?
Fat can go with weight loss, and a treatable cause can shrink gland. Gland that has been there a year or more usually needs surgery.
Is male breast reduction painful?
Sore and tight for the first days. Most men manage with the painkillers they're given.