Gynecomastia Surgery in Delafield
A flatter, firmer chest you stop thinking about.
Gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction) is a surgical procedure that removes excess breast tissue, fat, and sometimes skin to correct overdeveloped or enlarged breasts in men. Techniques include liposuction for fatty tissue, direct excision for glandular tissue, or a combination of both approaches. The procedure flattens and enhances chest contours, and systematic reviews report high patient satisfaction rates with significant improvements in psychosocial well-being.
At a Glance
- Gynecomastia surgery experienced the sharpest growth of any procedure among male patients, with 11 percent more surgeries performed in 2024 than in 2023[1]
- A systematic review of six studies found that patients consistently reported high satisfaction rates, with some studies showing scores above 9 on a 1-10 scale across all quality-of-life domains[5]
- Approximately 94.8 percent of patients reported psychological stress because of their gynecomastia before surgery, with significant improvement documented postoperatively[5]
- The majority of patients present with idiopathic gynecomastia, meaning no identifiable underlying cause is found[4]
Overview
Gynecomastia is the overdevelopment of male breast tissue caused by excess localized fat, excess glandular tissue, or both. It can affect one breast or both. Hormonal changes, heredity, obesity, and certain medications may contribute. In more severe cases, excess skin can allow the breasts to sag and stretch the areola.
Surgical correction is typically considered when the enlargement has persisted for more than 12 months, underlying causes have been addressed, and conservative management has not resolved it. Gynecomastia ranges from Grade I, a small enlargement without excess skin, through Grade III, marked enlargement with extra skin. Grade helps determine whether contouring alone is sufficient or skin removal is also needed.
Gynecomastia can impair self-confidence and lead some men to avoid physical activities or social situations. Research consistently associates surgical correction with substantial improvements in quality of life and psychosocial well-being.
Dr. Boehm quotes liposuction combined with direct excision as the standard gynecomastia correction at Consona. Fat responds to suction, but glandular tissue does not. On a chest containing both, liposuction alone can leave a firm disc behind the nipple that remains visible under a shirt and can still be felt. Tissue composition and grade set the plan, and the quoted operation reflects the combined approach rather than liposuction alone.
What to expect
- Consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to evaluate the degree of gynecomastia, discuss goals, and determine the appropriate surgical approach
- Preoperative evaluation including medical history review, physical examination, and any necessary blood work or imaging
- Medications that increase bleeding risk are discontinued as directed by the surgeon
- On the day of surgery, intravenous sedation or general anesthesia is administered
- The surgical site is prepared and marked for incisions
- Liposuction is performed through small incisions if fatty tissue predominates
- Glandular tissue is excised through a periareolar incision (around the border of the areola) if needed
- Excess skin is removed and the chest is contoured for a natural male appearance
- Incisions are closed with sutures and a compression garment or dressings are applied
- You are monitored during recovery and typically go home the same day with postoperative care instructions
How a gynecomastia surgery works
- When gynecomastia is primarily caused by excess fatty tissue, liposuction may be used alone. A cannula, or thin hollow tube, is inserted through several small incisions. It is moved in a controlled motion to loosen the fat, which is then removed by vacuum suction.
- Excision is used when glandular tissue or excess skin must be removed. It is also necessary if the areola needs to be reduced or the nipple repositioned for a natural male chest contour. Incision patterns vary according to the specific condition and surgical preference.
- Many cases require both techniques. Liposuction removes the fatty component, while direct excision removes the dense glandular tissue that cannot be suctioned effectively. At Consona, Dr. Boehm quotes this combined operation as standard, with liposuction and direct excision performed during the same procedure.
- For Grade IIb and Grade III gynecomastia with significant skin excess, additional skin removal and contouring may be performed to create a flatter, masculine chest profile. Whether skin removal is added is decided by grade because contouring alone will not correct the redundancy present in a heavier case.
When it's recommended
- Persistent gynecomastia lasting more than 12 months after underlying causes have been addressed
- Excess glandular breast tissue that does not respond to medical management
- Excess fatty tissue in the chest creating a breast-like appearance
- Cosmetic concerns about chest appearance affecting self-confidence
- Breast tenderness or discomfort
- Difficulty participating in physical activities due to chest appearance
- Skin excess or sagging in the chest area (Grade IIb or III)
- Psychological distress related to chest appearance
Is a gynecomastia surgery right for you?
Reach out to learn more from Dr. Lucas Boehm.
Concerns it addresses
Recovery & aftercare
- A compression garment is typically worn for several weeks to minimize swelling and support the healing chest contour
- Most patients return to desk work within one to two weeks
- Swelling and bruising are expected during the first few weeks and gradually subside
- Strenuous physical activity and heavy lifting are restricted for approximately four to six weeks
- Final chest contour may take three to six months to become fully apparent as swelling resolves
- Scars continue to fade and improve over several months to a year
Alternatives
- Observation without treatment if the condition is recent (less than 12 months) and mild
- Medical management with medications such as tamoxifen (limited effectiveness in chronic cases)
- Weight loss and exercise for cases primarily related to excess body fat (pseudogynecomastia)
- Addressing underlying causes such as discontinuing offending medications or treating hormonal imbalances
How much does a gynecomastia surgery cost?
A gynecomastia surgery at Consona with Dr. Boehm costs around $9,350. The exact amount depends on your unique goals and treatment needs. Schedule a consultation today to learn more and receive a personalized quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Gynecomastia surgery, also called male breast reduction, removes excess breast tissue, fat, and sometimes skin to create a flatter, more masculine chest contour. Depending on the tissue present, the operation may involve liposuction, direct excision, or both.
- The procedure is performed under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, so patients do not feel pain during surgery. Mild to moderate soreness and tightness are typical during the first week and can generally be managed with prescribed pain medication.
- Gynecomastia surgery is generally considered safe when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Systematic reviews report high patient satisfaction and significant improvements in quality of life. As with any operation, it carries potential risks, which are discussed during consultation.
- Most patients return to desk work within one to two weeks and wear a compression garment for several weeks. Strenuous activity is typically restricted for four to six weeks. The final chest contour develops over three to six months as swelling resolves.
- The procedure typically takes one to three hours under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. The surgeon removes excess fat with liposuction, excises glandular tissue when present, and contours the chest. Most patients go home the same day wearing a compression garment.
- People who actively smoke, have uncontrolled medical conditions that affect wound healing, or have untreated hormonal imbalances causing gynecomastia may not be suitable candidates. A consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon can determine individual eligibility.
- Usually not, and this is where the operation most often disappoints. Fat draws out under suction, but the firm glandular tissue directly behind the nipple does not. If only the fat is removed, a small, dense disc can remain and become more noticeable against the flatter chest. Dr. Boehm quotes liposuction combined with direct excision as standard for that reason. Liposuction alone is appropriate when the chest is genuinely fatty and has no glandular component, and examination distinguishes the two.
- Yes. Enlargement that is new, rapidly growing, painful, one-sided and firm, or accompanied by nipple discharge or testicular symptoms belongs to a medical workup rather than a surgical plan. Medications and hormonal conditions that may be causing the enlargement also need evaluation. The general threshold for surgery is enlargement that has persisted beyond about a year after the underlying cause has been addressed. Those questions belong with the physician managing the cause, and surgical planning begins once they have been answered. Grade also guides the operation because a heavier presentation may include skin that contouring alone leaves behind. Whether to remove that skin is a separate decision made at examination.
Gynecomastia Surgery risks & candidacy
Who should avoid this
- Active infection at the surgical site
- Uncontrolled medical conditions that impair wound healing
- Active smoking (compromises blood flow and increases complication risk)
- Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant use without medical clearance
- Untreated underlying endocrine or hormonal conditions contributing to gynecomastia
- Unrealistic expectations about surgical outcomes
- Current use of medications known to cause gynecomastia that have not been discontinued or substituted
- Obesity that may be the primary cause (weight management may be recommended first)
Possible risks
- Anesthesia-related complications
- Bleeding or hematoma formation
- Infection at the surgical site
- Changes in nipple or breast sensation, which may be temporary or permanent
- Breast contour and shape irregularities
- Breast asymmetry
- Unfavorable scarring
- Fluid accumulation (seroma)
- Fat necrosis (fatty tissue death)
- Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, or muscles
- Persistent pain
- Poor wound healing
- Possibility of revision surgery
- Reactions to sutures, tapes, or other surgical materials
Your surgeon
Care that respects what makes you, you.
Dr. Lucas Boehm is a Wisconsin native, board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon and the founder of Consona Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics. His practice is dedicated exclusively to aesthetic surgery of the face, nose, breast, and body, with particular expertise in deep plane facelifts, rhinoplasty, and aesthetic breast surgery. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin, and completed his plastic surgery residency there as well. He then pursued an Aesthetic Society-endorsed fellowship in aesthetic surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Bradley Calobrace in Louisville, Kentucky. Known for meticulous attention to detail, he approaches each case with precision and intention. His philosophy emphasizes harmony and balance – enhancing what is already beautiful while ensuring every change feels natural, thoughtful, and uniquely you.
- Board-certified
- Am. Board of Plastic Surgery
- Fellowship-trained
- Aesthetic surgery
- 12+ years
- In practice
Sources & references
This article draws on 5 sources, including peer-reviewed research.
Government & research
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lucas Boehm, MD · Last reviewed: 2026-09-12