Gynecomastia (Large breasts in men)
In some men, the breasts develop slightly more than desired. Hormonal disorders or the use of anabolic steroids must be ruled out, as these can cause large breasts. However, some gynecomastia is idiopathic, i.e. the cause is unknown. The condition can be very embarrassing both socially and intimately, and treatment is warranted.
The treatment can be with fat removal if the proportion of fat is more than the gland (see information about fat removal/breasts, and about breast reduction). However, surgical removal of all (or part of) the mammary gland is necessary if the breasts are too large and contain multiple glands. In very large male breasts, breast reduction may be required in the same way as in women. It is important to have a thorough assessment during a consultation. It is important to remember that surgical removal leaves scars that can be placed around the nipple or under the breast. The surgery can be performed under local anesthesia and sedation as well.
For the best possible result and to avoid complications, it is recommended that you have as normal a weight as possible. If you smoke, you must quit at least 1 week before the operation and remain smoke-free for 2 weeks after the operation.
We close the wound with stitches that dissolve by themselves, or the stitches are removed after 10 days. In principle, the operation does not provide a basis for sick leave. Physical exercise and hard physical work should be postponed for 2-3 weeks. You will receive a bandage (body) from us after the operation that you will wear night and day for 6 weeks, which will tighten well over the chest area. The scars are often red, itchy and hard at first, but over time they fade and soften. In rare cases, the scars become wide and clearly visible because this depends on the man's own inherited characteristics.
Pick-up and possible accommodation
You must arrange in advance for someone to pick you up at the clinic approx. 1 hour after the end of the operation, as you cannot drive, take public transport or a taxi on your own. You must also have someone with you the same day and the first night.
If you live far from the clinic, we recommend that you stay overnight in Oslo, either with family/friends or in a hotel.
Hotels close to Oslo Plastic Surgery;
Hotel Gabels Hus in Gabelsgate 16.
Frogner House Apartments, Bygdøy Allé 53.
(We have an agreement with Frogner House Apartments, please inform about us when booking a room)
Before surgery
You must be healthy on the day of surgery. If you are in doubt whether you have a cold or similar, please contact us. The operation is not performed when you have flu with fever or cough or other infection. Before the operation, you will receive a prescription for antibiotics, possibly painkillers and cleansing solution 40 mg/ml, which you can buy at the pharmacy.
The day before surgery and on the day of surgery, you should shower and wash your body and hair at home with the cleansing solution. This is a disinfectant soap that should be rinsed off with water and the skin dried with a clean towel. Put on clean and comfortable clothes when you leave home. All jewelry, piercing and nail polish including e.g. acrylic nails must be removed no later than the day before surgery and can be replaced 7 to 10 days after surgery.
You must attend the surgery fasting. This means that you should not eat food 6 hours before the operation, but you can drink water and juice (not milk or juice), chew gum / throat lozenges up to 4 hours before the operation. You must arrange in advance with a person to pick you up at the clinic about 1 hour after the surgery, as you will not be able to drive or take a taxi on your own.
It is important that you stop taking blood-thinning medication about 14 days before surgery. For other medications, please consult the clinic before the operation. Do not eat a lot of garlic and health food preparations.
On the day of surgery
You will be met by our staff who will prepare you for the operation before the surgeon sees you. Before the actual procedure, the surgeon will go through the procedure, outline the planned procedure and answer any questions you may have. Anesthesia staff will also come and greet you and answer your questions.
When the surgery is about to begin, the surgical nurse will pick you up and clean the surgical area while the anesthesia staff gives you a sedative in your arm so that you sleep during surgery. In addition, the surgeon will place a local anesthetic in the surgical area for a long-lasting analgesic effect in the surgical area after surgery, which also reduces bleeding in the area.
After the operation, you will be moved to the recovery room where you will have your own bed. You will then rest for 1-2 hours and be served food and plenty of drinks in the form of bread, yogurt and juice (remember to inform us of any allergies). Painkillers are given if necessary.
The surgeon will check on you before your return home/hotel stay and you will be cleared by anesthesia staff before you go home with an adult companion. The PVK attached to your hand will be removed before you leave. A car or taxi must be used as a means of transportation immediately after surgery, we do not recommend public transport or walking.
After surgery
All patients come for a postoperative check-up the day after surgery. We recommend that you do not travel by air for the first 48 hours after surgery. During this time, a check-up appointment will be arranged in the clinic and you should come to the clinic for a check-up the day after surgery.
In the first few hours after surgery, you may feel a little tired and sometimes a little nauseous. It is important that you take painkillers as prescribed and as needed, and make sure you drink plenty of fluids for the first 24 hours. Some people may feel a little dizzy, so it's a good idea to take a few minutes to get up. For the first two days, you should rest and lie as still as possible, with your upper body raised. For the next five days, you can move gently. If you have an active job, it is a good idea to stay at home. After the operation, you will be given a special bandage that is removed after 3 days, and the tape is left on for 2 weeks. We close the wound with stitches that dissolve by themselves. You should wear a sports bra for 6 weeks after the bandage is removed. After the tape is removed (after 2 weeks), you can shower the area and apply new tape. It is recommended that you tape the scars with skin-friendly tape for at least 2 months. Surgical tape such as Micropore or Steri-Strip can be purchased at the pharmacy, alternatively silicone tape.
The final result can only be assessed after 3-6 months. Follow-up check-ups are arranged with the clinic; the day after surgery, after 1-2 weeks and 3-6 months, as well as a final check-up after one year. You must call to arrange the check-ups yourself, or make an appointment with the clinic on the day of surgery.
Bleeding and infection are uncommon and in very few cases require reoperation and/or antibiotic treatment. Anesthetic complications, such as allergic reactions to anesthetics, are extremely rare.
In principle, a breast lift does not provide grounds for sick leave, but if you have a physical job, we recommend that you take this into account in the first few days after surgery.
Physical exercise and hard physical work should be postponed for about 4 weeks.
The scars are often red, itchy and hard at first, but over time they will both fade and soften. However, the scars are hidden by bras and will not be visible in low-cut dresses. In rare cases, the scars can become wide and clearly visible, depending on the woman's own inherited skin characteristics. We therefore recommend that you tape the scars for a couple of months after a breast augmentation. Plaster tape is available from pharmacies.
If correction is necessary due to complications or unsatisfactory results, this is done free of charge within one year, provided that there is a medical indication and a clear potential for improvement. This is our guarantee period.
Ask for guidance and advice
We can provide the best advice face-to-face. We will guide you to the optimal solution for your needs.
The responsible physician is Dr . Amin Kalaaji, senior consultant dr.med, specialist in plastic surgery and head of clinic at Oslo Plastic Surgery, and head of the Norwegian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (NFEP) 2018-2020.
Dr. Kalaaji holds many positions and gives lectures and training around the world. This benefits all our patients as he is always up to date on the latest and most advanced treatments and surgical techniques.Â
Patient safety, high quality and individual treatment are always our top priorities at Oslo Plastic Surgery.Â
Questions & answers
Men with abnormally large breast growth who find this embarrassing in a private, social or intimate situation.
Men who have developed male breasts to a greater or lesser extent after puberty.
All patients must undergo a consultation before surgery. The consultation is conducted by our experienced plastic surgeon, who will ask you questions about your medical status; previous or current illnesses, previous operations, use of medication, etc. An examination will then be carried out and the surgeon will consider a possible operation.
If you are suitable for surgery, you will receive information about the surgery itself, precautions for the time before and after the procedure, and you will get answers to your questions.
For patients with long travel distances, we offer consultations by telephone and/or video consultation. We will then send you a health information form to be completed and returned to us before the consultation. You also send us some photos.
Should surgery be required, the surgeon will conduct a thorough assessment the day before the planned surgery.
If correction is necessary due to complications or unsatisfactory results, this is done free of charge within one year, provided there is a medical indication and a clear potential for improvement. This is our one-year guarantee agreement.
