Gynecomastia surgery, gynecomastectomy, is a procedure to remove excess fat, glandular tissue, and/or skin from an overdeveloped or enlarged male breast. In severe cases of gynecomastia, the weight of the excess breast tissue may cause the breasts to sag and stretch the areola (dark skin surrounding the nipple). In these cases, the position and size of the areola complex can be surgically improved and excess skin may need to be reduced to achieve a balanced, natural, final result. Gynecomastia may result from hormonal changes, heredity, disease, and the use of certain drugs. It can be present unilaterally (one breast), or bi-laterally (both breasts).
There are a variety of techniques used by plastic surgeons to treat gynecomastia. Gynecomastia surgery can be combined with other forms of body contouring procedures such as liposuction and abdominoplasty, or other elective procedures.