Gynecomastia (often referred to as ‘man boobs’) is the enlargement of male breast tissue. Gynecomastia appears as a rubbery or firm mass that starts from underneath the nipple and then spreads outwards over the breast area. Surgery can be useful for men with long-standing gynecomastia or when medicines have not been successful. Liposuction works well to remove excess fatty tissue, and some of the rubbery solid breast tissue found behind the nipple can be removed. Removing tissue through a small cut at the base of the areola (the area around the nipple) is often needed. Much of the stretched skin from gynecomastia will adjust with time after surgery, especially if compression garments are used, however sometimes the excess skin needs to be removed.
