True gynecomastia
Firm glandular breast tissue may sit beneath or around the areola and cannot simply be treated as localised fat.
St Mary's Medical Clinic · Weight Loss
Gynecomastia Treatment in Malta
Gynecomastia treatment, also known as male breast reduction, starts by identifying what is actually creating the enlarged chest, whether that is fat, glandular breast tissue, excess skin or a combination. Treatment may involve 4D Vaser liposuction, gland excision or both.
Chest fatGlandular tissue4D VaserGland removalCompression
Understand the cause
What is gynecomastia?
An enlarged male chest is not one single diagnosis. Hormonal changes, weight gain, medicines and other health factors can all contribute, and the right treatment depends on whether the enlargement is fatty, glandular or mixed.
Pseudogynecomastia
Where the chest fullness is predominantly fatty, liposuction may be sufficient in selected patients.
Fat + gland + skin
Many patients have more than one component. Gynecomastia surgery may therefore combine liposuction with gland removal and, in more severe cases, additional skin planning.
Assessment & planning
How gynecomastia is assessed
We review the chest, medical history, medication, weight pattern, asymmetry, tenderness and whether the presentation has features that warrant blood tests, imaging or further medical review.
Why gynecomastia develops
Gynecomastia can occur with hormonal changes, puberty, ageing, certain medicines, anabolic steroids and other substances, weight gain and some medical conditions. In some patients no single clear cause is identified.
When medical assessment matters
New, painful, one-sided or unusual breast enlargement should not automatically be treated as a cosmetic issue. Depending on the history and examination, further investigation can be appropriate before surgery.
Liposuction-only treatment
If chest fullness is mainly fat and glandular tissue is minimal, liposuction may provide the required reduction and contouring.
Combined surgery
Where both fat and gland are present, combining liposuction with gland excision can address both components. The scar pattern and recovery depend on the exact operation.
Procedure & recovery
Gynecomastia surgery and recovery
A liposuction-only procedure and a combined liposuction plus gland-excision procedure do not have identical recovery.
Assessment
We examine the chest and review causes, tissue type, weight stability, medical history and whether further investigation is appropriate.
Procedure
Treatment may involve 4D Vaser liposuction, gland excision or a combined approach.
First week
Swelling, bruising and soreness are expected. Dressings and a compression garment may be used to support the chest.
Following weeks
The contour becomes clearer as swelling reduces. Activity is increased gradually according to the surgical plan.
3–6 months
Final results become more apparent as swelling subsides over this period.
Results & limitations
Gynecomastia surgery results
The goal is a flatter, more proportionate male chest. Immediate improvement is often visible after tissue removal, but the final contour should not be judged until swelling has reduced and the tissues have settled.
Contour
The chest can look flatter and better defined when the correct tissue component is treated.
Scars
Liposuction uses small access incisions; gland excision may require an incision around the areola or another planned site.
Weight & ageing
Future weight gain, hormonal change and ageing can alter the chest again even after successful treatment.
Current pricing
Gynecomastia prices
Pricing depends on whether treatment is liposuction alone or liposuction combined with gland removal.
4D Vaser Liposuction€2,500
Liposuction + Gland RemovalFrom €3,000
Practitioner
Meet your gynecomastia doctor
Your consultation is where the procedure, expected recovery, limitations and individual suitability are discussed before a decision is made.
Lead Aesthetic Physician
Dr Frank Farrugia
MD, MRCP, M.Sc Health SciencesOne of the first doctors to introduce aesthetic medicine to Malta, Dr Frank Farrugia has over 20 years of experience. He is part of the medical team providing gynecomastia treatment at St Mary's Clinic in Mosta.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Gynecomastia
01 What causes gynecomastia?
Possible causes include hormonal changes, puberty, ageing, medicines, anabolic steroids and other substances, weight gain and some medical conditions.
02 Is chest fat the same as gynecomastia?
No. A fuller male chest may be predominantly fat, predominantly glandular tissue or a combination.
03 Can liposuction remove glandular tissue?
Liposuction removes fat. A firm glandular component may require direct excision.
04 Do I need tests before gynecomastia surgery?
Depending on the history and examination, blood tests, imaging or further medical assessment may be appropriate.
05 How long does recovery from gynecomastia surgery take?
Swelling and soreness are expected early. Return to strenuous activity is staged and depends on whether liposuction, gland removal or both were performed.
06 Will I need a compression garment after gynecomastia surgery?
A compression garment is commonly used after treatment to support the chest and help manage swelling.
07 Does gynecomastia go away on its own?
It can. Gynecomastia that develops during puberty often settles by itself as hormone levels even out, usually within six months to two years. Gynecomastia that has been present for longer, or that involves firm glandular tissue in adulthood, is less likely to resolve without treatment. Where a medicine or substance may be contributing, that is reviewed before surgery is considered.
08 How much does gynecomastia surgery cost?
4D Vaser liposuction is €2,500. Where glandular tissue also needs removing, liposuction with gland removal starts from €3,000. Which of the two you need depends on the tissue found at assessment, so the approach and final price are confirmed at consultation.
09 What are the risks of gynecomastia surgery?
As with any operation, risks include bleeding, infection, fluid collection, asymmetry, changes in nipple or chest sensation, contour irregularities and visible scarring, and occasionally a further procedure is needed. The risks that apply in your case depend on whether liposuction, gland removal or both are planned, and are discussed at consultation.
10 Can gynecomastia be treated without surgery?
It depends on the tissue. Where the fullness is mainly fat, weight loss can reduce it. Where a medicine or substance may be contributing, that is reviewed first, and stopping it under medical advice can help. Firm glandular tissue does not respond to diet or exercise, and when it persists it usually needs surgical removal.