Gynecomastia is the abnormal growth of glandular breast tissue in males, resulting in enlarged, feminine-appearing chest contours — commonly referred to as 'man boobs' or 'moobs.' It is caused primarily by a hormonal imbalance in which oestrogen levels rise relative to testosterone. Common triggers include puberty-related hormone fluctuations (which affect an estimated 40–60% of adolescent boys), ageing-related testosterone decline, obesity-driven peripheral oestrogen production, anabolic steroid or recreational drug use, certain medications (including antidepressants, antifungals, anti-androgens and some heart medications), chronic alcohol excess, and underlying medical conditions such as liver disease, hypogonadism, or rarely, testicular or adrenal tumours. In many cases, no specific identifiable cause is found — known as idiopathic gynecomastia. It is one of the most prevalent male chest conditions worldwide — and one that cannot be resolved by any amount of chest exercise or diet once glandular tissue has developed.

No — not for true gynecomastia. This is the most important distinction men need to understand. Exercise and diet can reduce chest fat (a condition called pseudogynecomastia, where the chest enlargement is caused entirely by fat without glandular tissue), but they have absolutely no effect on glandular breast tissue. Glandular tissue is a firm, fibrous structure beneath the nipple-areola complex, entirely different from fat — it does not respond to caloric restriction, chest training, cardio or any dietary intervention. No matter how lean or muscular a man with true gynecomastia becomes, the glandular tissue remains completely unchanged. Surgery — specifically direct gland excision, combined with liposuction to remove any surrounding chest fat — is the only definitive treatment that permanently removes the tissue responsible for gynecomastia. Men who have spent years trying to train away their gynecomastia consistently report that the surgery achieved in two hours what a decade of gym work could not.

Ideal candidates are male patients of any adult age — typically 17 years and above, with stable breast development — who have persistent enlarged breast tissue that has not resolved on its own within 1–2 years and has not responded to addressing any identifiable underlying causes. This includes men with pubertal gynecomastia that never resolved, men who developed gynecomastia from steroid or medication use, men with weight-related gynecomastia who have reached a stable weight, and men with idiopathic gynecomastia. You should be in reasonably good general health, a non-smoker (or willing to stop 4 weeks before surgery), and have realistic expectations of the result. Adolescents still actively going through puberty are typically advised to wait until their breast development has been stable for 1–2 years. A consultation at Maynee will accurately grade your gynecomastia, identify any addressable underlying causes, and confirm the most appropriate surgical approach for your presentation.

Liposuction removes fatty tissue through suction cannulas — it is excellent for reducing chest fat but fundamentally cannot remove firm glandular breast tissue. Attempting to suction glandular tissue not only fails to remove it but can leave an irregular, crater-like deformity beneath the areola — a complication that is notoriously difficult to revise. True gynecomastia requires direct gland excision — the surgical removal of the glandular tissue through an incision at the lower border of the areola — to achieve a flat, masculine chest. At Maynee, every gynecomastia surgery combines direct gland excision with simultaneous liposuction of the surrounding chest and lateral chest fat as a standard approach. This combination delivers the flattest, most even and most naturally sculpted chest contour, eliminates the risk of crater deformity from gland over-resection, and removes both the glandular and fatty components that contribute to the enlarged chest appearance. The appropriate balance of excision versus liposuction depends on your specific grade and gland-to-fat ratio — assessed at your consultation.

Gynecomastia surgery at Maynee is performed under general anaesthesia administered by a qualified, experienced anaesthesiologist — you are completely asleep during the procedure and feel nothing. The procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on the grade of gynecomastia, the extent of gland and fat removal required, and whether skin excision is needed for higher-grade cases. It is performed as a day-care procedure — most patients recover from anaesthesia in the facility within 2–3 hours and are discharged home the same day, once vital signs are stable and they are comfortable, alert and able to take oral medication. You will need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for the first 24 hours — you should not drive on the day of surgery.

Gynecomastia surgery has one of the most manageable recovery profiles in cosmetic surgery. Most patients return to light desk work within 5–7 days of surgery. In the first week, you will experience chest tightness, mild soreness and some bruising — most patients describe the discomfort as similar to post-exercise muscle soreness rather than severe pain, and it is well-managed with prescribed oral analgesics. The compression vest must be worn continuously day and night for 4–6 weeks — this is the single most important post-operative instruction. Strenuous upper body exercise, chest workouts, heavy lifting and contact sports must be avoided for 4–6 weeks. Light walking is encouraged from day one. Lower body gym training can typically be resumed from 2–3 weeks. Swelling progressively resolves over 4–8 weeks, with the final chest contour visible at 3–4 months when all residual firmness and swelling have fully resolved.

Scarring from gynecomastia surgery is minimal and strategically placed for maximum concealment. For gland excision, the incision is made along the lower border of the areola — the circumareolar incision — positioned at the natural colour transition between the areola and the chest skin. This is one of the best-concealed scar locations on the male body: the colour transition camouflages the scar exceptionally well, and it heals to a near-invisible fine line within 12 months with active scar management. For liposuction, tiny 2–3 mm puncture incisions are placed in natural skin folds at the lateral chest or axillary region — they are virtually invisible within a few months. The overwhelming majority of patients report that the actual scar visibility is far less prominent than they anticipated or feared. Active scar management begins at 4–6 weeks with silicone sheeting, scar cream and SPF 50 applied to the areolar incision line as directed.

For the vast majority of patients, the results of gynecomastia surgery are permanent. The glandular breast tissue removed by direct excision does not regenerate, and the chest remains flat indefinitely provided the underlying cause is not reintroduced. Gynecomastia can recur if the original triggering factor returns — specific causes of recurrence include resuming anabolic steroid or recreational drug use after surgery, taking new medications known to cause gynaecomastia, developing a new hormonal imbalance (from an endocrine condition or age-related testosterone decline), and significant weight gain that increases peripheral oestrogen production. At your consultation, your surgeon will identify and discuss any correctable underlying causes specific to your case, and advise on the specific post-operative lifestyle modifications most relevant to minimising your personal risk of recurrence. For the majority of patients with idiopathic or pubertal gynecomastia who maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid steroids, recurrence after surgery is exceptionally rare.

The cost of gynecomastia surgery at Maynee in Chennai is determined at your surgical consultation after a thorough assessment of your grade and the specific procedure required. Cost varies based on the grade of gynecomastia (Grade I through Grade IV), whether the procedure involves gland excision alone, combined gland excision and liposuction, or extended skin excision for higher-grade cases, as well as anaesthesiologist fees, facility charges and post-operative care. We do not publish fixed per-procedure pricing because every gynecomastia surgery is individually designed — applying a single price to a procedure that varies significantly in complexity and operative time would be misleading. At your consultation you receive a comprehensive, all-inclusive written cost breakdown — covering every component of your care — with complete transparency and no hidden charges at any stage.

Gynecomastia surgery performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon in an accredited facility is a safe, well-established procedure with a high patient satisfaction rate and a low complication profile. As with any surgical procedure under general anaesthesia, inherent risks exist and must be clearly understood before proceeding. These include seroma (fluid accumulation beneath the skin — the most common complication, typically managed by aspiration), haematoma (blood collection, most commonly in the first 24–48 hours), infection, temporary or permanent altered nipple sensation or numbness, asymmetry between the two sides, contour irregularity or residual tissue (more likely with liposuction-only approaches or inadequate excision), crater or saucer deformity from over-resection of the gland, scar-related concerns, and anaesthesia reactions. At Maynee, the combination of gland excision and liposuction performed by an experienced board-certified surgeon substantially reduces the risk of contour irregularities and revision surgery compared to less experienced or liposuction-only approaches. Comprehensive pre-operative health screening, smoking cessation protocols and structured wound care are standard. Every risk will be discussed individually at your consultation so your consent is fully informed.