Gynecomastia is a very common medical condition that impacts many men. Unfortunately, most men find it embarrassing and do not discuss the condition. It is characterized by an increase in the amount of breast gland tissue or fatty tissue. While gynecomastia is usually not a serious problem, it can certainly impact your self-confidence and contribute to feelings of awkwardness or embarrassment. This condition can also cause chronic pain, specifically in the form of persistent discomfort just behind the nipple. This can be a large problem if your job necessitates heavy equipment like vests or packs. The good news is that this condition can be fixed.
If you are otherwise fit and healthy but wish to eliminate this enlarged breast tissue or are living with pain, gynecomastia surgery may be the best option for relief. Dr. Gandolfi is a double board-certified plastic surgeon performing gynecomastia surgery to help increase your confidence and create a more masculine chest appearance.
Gynecomastia is the medical term for enlarged breast tissue in men. Most cases of gynecomastia are idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown or has arisen naturally. Other times, there is something that drives the enlargement of breast tissue. Common causes are:
Although uncommon, gynecomastia can be caused by tumors of the testicles and brain. Dr. Gandolfi will screen for this in his evaluation. Once any underlying causes of gynecomastia have been ruled out or treated, surgical correction may be considered. Gynecomastia surgery, sometimes referred to as male breast reduction or reduction mammaplasty, removes excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin to create a flat, sculpted, masculine chest contour.
Gynecomastia’s treatment is related to the extent of the problem. Dr. Gandolfi grades gynecomastia using three simple categories:
Excess breast tissue only. In this instance, the excess tissue is normally removed through a small incision at the edge of the areola (the colored skin around the nipple). Breast gland tissue is firm and is generally not amenable to liposuction alone.
Excess breast tissue and fat. When breast tissue and fat are involved without excess skin, liposuction is added to the small areolar incision to contour the chest. This approach can also be performed for people with mild to moderate excess skin.
Excess breast tissue, fat, and skin. In this instance, in addition to liposuction and gland removal, additional treatments are often necessary to obtain the proper results. This could mean BodyTite® or removing skin by using incisions around the areola or under the breast.
Your journey will begin with an initial phone call with a member of our team to discuss your medical history and aesthetic goals and schedule your consultation.
During your visit with Dr. Gandolfi, he will perform a physical examination, review medical images, and ensure you are a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery. Here, you will have an opportunity to share your aesthetic goals and ask any questions about the procedure. This consultation usually lasts around half an hour and will help you gain a clear sense of your treatment plan and recovery period.
Your surgery experience will begin once you arrive at our surgery center. After a warm welcome from our surgical team, they will guide you to your operating suite and prepare you for surgery. At this time, you will be placed under anesthesia to keep you comfortable, and you will soon wake up in the recovery room.
Dr. Gandolfi tailors each surgery to the needs of each individual patient. This may or may not include scarless techniques or techniques with incisions around the nipple and elsewhere. The size and extent of the incisions will be related to the extent of gynecomastia present.
Gynecomastia surgery treats a range of issues associated with enlarged breasts in men. Common conditions include:
By removing excess glandular tissue and sculpting the male chest, Dr. Gandolfi’s surgical technique provides a balanced, masculine appearance with minimal scarring.
For men living with gynecomastia, surgical treatment offers life-changing physical and emotional benefits. The male chest-defining procedure eliminates unwanted breast tissue and redefines the chest contours for a firmer, more athletic look. Most patients experience an immediate improvement in body proportion and confidence, especially when wearing fitted shirts or swimwear.
Beyond the cosmetic improvements, gynecomastia surgery provides lasting relief from emotional discomfort, soreness, and irritation. Men report reduced friction during exercise, enhanced mobility, and greater ease in daily activities. Once the breast tissue has healed, results are long-lasting and typically permanent for men who maintain a healthy lifestyle and stable body weight.
Dr. Brad Gandolfi is a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with offices in New York City and Englewood, NJ. He specializes in cosmetic surgery and is a member of The Aesthetic Society, a by-invitation-only society for doctors with experience and excellence in cosmetic surgery. He obtained his plastic surgery degree at Duke University Medical Center and spent additional training in facial surgery at UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Gandolfi is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery.
You may be a good candidate for male breast reduction if you:
If you’re unsure whether gynecomastia treatment is right for you, Dr. Gandolfi will evaluate your medical history, hormone levels, and anatomy during your initial consultation to help you determine the right path forward for your needs.
Recovery from gynecomastia surgery usually takes one to two weeks. During this time, it is important to rest as much as possible, providing your body with the healing that it requires. In particular, it is crucial to avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting, both of which can compromise your results and lead to possible complications.
While some soreness is to be expected following your surgery, it is usually very easy to manage with over-the-counter pain medications. Prescription medications are also available as needed.
Before you are sent home to recover, you will receive all the guidelines you need concerning diet, bathing, and caring for your incisions. Following these guidelines carefully will help you avoid complications, expedite your recovery time, and minimize the visibility of scarring. With a well-fitted compression garment and proper post-operative care, the chest continues to refine and strengthen over several months, leaving smooth, natural-looking chest contours and renewed self-confidence.
The results of gynecomastia surgery are typically visible immediately, though mild swelling may mask your final chest contour for a few weeks. As the healing process progresses and swelling subsides, the chest appears flatter, firmer, and more defined.
Most patients achieve long-lasting or permanent results after surgery to correct gynecomastia. The breast tissue removed does not return unless there are significant hormonal changes, weight gain, or resumed drug use. Patients often report a renewed sense of confidence and comfort in their bodies. The procedure creates a flatter, more sculpted chest that looks natural both in and out of clothing, helping men feel at ease during physical activity and social situations. Beyond the visible transformation, many patients report improved posture, relief from tenderness, and a lasting boost in self-esteem that enhances their overall quality of life.
Male chest contouring requires more than surgical skill—it demands balance, proportion, and restraint. Dr. Brad Gandolfi, a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, incorporates all three into every gynecomastia surgery he performs. His background in craniofacial and aesthetic surgery provides him with a refined understanding of male anatomy, enabling him to achieve natural, defined, and confidently masculine results.
Gynecomastia can be both painful and embarrassing. The good news is that it is highly treatable through surgical intervention. Dr. Gandolfi is a double board-certified surgeon promoting both safety and exceptional results. Schedule a consultation with our team to learn more at (212) 287-7211.
Sometimes. Unfortunately, many insurance policies specifically exclude gynecomastia surgery. In some cases, they will deny a full gynecomastia surgery but will allow for gland removal. Specifically, mass removal is often covered if the mass is impacting your job or quality of life due to pain.
In all instances, commercial insurance will be required (no community plans or Medicaid). If you would like more information, our office staff is well-equipped to help you answer these questions.
Yes. When performed safely by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, the risk of surgical complications is minimal. Dr. Gandolfi’s meticulous approach ensures precise correction and optimal healing.
Most patients return to work within a week and resume full physical activity after 3 to 4 weeks. Wearing a compression garment and following post-surgery instructions are key to minimizing swelling and ensuring smooth healing.
Dr. Gandolfi uses small incisions along the areola or chest crease for minimal scarring. With proper care and sun protection, scars fade significantly over time.
Recurrence is uncommon but can occur if hormone levels fluctuate or if certain drugs or anabolic steroids are used after surgery. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and stable weight is the best way to preserve your results.
Gynecomastia can develop from hormonal imbalances, anabolic steroid use, certain medications, or recreational drug use. In pseudo-gynecomastia, the issue is excess fat rather than glandular tissue.
Visible improvement is immediate, with continued refinement over 4–6 weeks as swelling subsides. Final gynecomastia surgery results appear within 2–3 months.
Even after losing weight, many men retain firm glandular tissue that cannot be reduced through exercise alone. In these cases, gynecomastia surgery offers the only effective way to achieve a flatter chest.
