Gynaecomastia Surgery London
Gynaecomastia is the enlargement of breast tissue in men, caused by a hormonal imbalance resulting in excess glandular tissue or fat in the chest area. Dr Edwin Anthony performs gynaecomastia correction using VASER liposuction at Langham Hospital, London. GMC: 4776646.
- Performed by Dr Edwin Anthony
- Langham Hospital, Marylebone
- GMC 4776646 · 1,500+ VASER cases
Introduction
Gynaecomastia refers to enlarged breast tissue in men. It is one of the most common male medical concerns and one of the most under-treated, because many men feel unable to discuss it openly. It can develop at any age and is often driven by hormonal changes, weight fluctuation, certain medications, or as a natural consequence of ageing.
For the right patient, surgical correction produces results that are both life-changing and permanent. At Contoura Medical, Dr Edwin Anthony GMC 4776646 uses VASER liposuction london to correct gynaecomastia with a precision and minimalism that traditional excisional surgery cannot match minimal scarring, faster recovery, and a natural-looking result that reflects the patient’s own underlying chest structure.
Types of Gynaecomastia
Pseudo-gynaecomastia
caused primarily by excess fat in the chest area. Responds very well to VASER liposuction alone.
True gynaecomastia
caused by excess glandular breast tissue alongside or instead of fat. May require a combination of VASER liposuction and small-incision glandular excision.
Mixed gynaecomastia
a combination of both. Most common presentation. Treated using VASER liposuction with minimal glandular excision where necessary.
Why VASER for Gynaecomastia
Traditional gynaecomastia surgery involves open excision under general anaesthetic, leaving a visible periareolar scar and requiring several weeks of recovery. VASER liposuction for gynaecomastia offers a meaningfully different proposition.
For patients with pseudo or mixed gynaecomastia, VASER can address the majority of the deformity through minimal entry points under local anaesthetic. Recovery is measured in days rather than weeks. The result is a flat, natural chest contour with no visible scarring beyond micro entry points that become imperceptible within weeks.
For patients with true gynaecomastia requiring glandular excision, Dr Anthony performs this through the smallest possible incision alongside VASER, minimising scar length and visible evidence of surgery.
Candidacy
Gynaecomastia surgery at Contoura Medical is suitable for men who:
- Have persistent breast tissue enlargement that has not responded to weight loss or lifestyle change
- Are at or near a stable healthy weight
- Are in good general health and non-smokers
- Have realistic expectations about outcomes
- Have been assessed and any underlying hormonal causes have been excluded or treated
Dr Anthony will conduct a thorough clinical assessment including a review of medications and a physical examination before recommending treatment.
Gynaecomastia Pricing
- Gynaecomastia correction at Contoura Medical is priced individually based on the complexity of the presentation and the technique required. Indicative pricing starts from £3,800 for VASER liposcution only correction
- Note: All pricing is confirmed during your personal consultation with Dr Edwin Anthony. Chrysalis Finance is available.
Procedure
Gynaecomastia correction at Contoura Medical is often performed under local anaesthetic as a day procedure often at the Langham Hospital. Most procedures take 60 to 90 minutes. VASER energy is used to liquefy and remove the excess fat layer, with minimal glandular excision where required.
Patients return home the same day wearing a compression vest. Most return to desk-based work within two to three days. Full recovery and final results are typically visible at eight to twelve weeks.
Gynaecomastia correction is day-case surgery that flattens enlarged male chest tissue using VASER liposuction, with small-incision gland removal where needed. It suits adult men with persistent chest fullness. Dr Edwin Anthony performs every procedure at Langham Hospital, Marylebone, London.
What gynaecomastia is and how correction works
Gynaecomastia means enlarged breast tissue in men. It can affect one or both sides, and many men put off asking about it for years. According to StatPearls, it tends to appear in boys from around age 13, and becomes more common again in men aged 65 and over. The fullness is usually made of fat, gland, or both:
- Pseudo-gynaecomastia: mainly fat. This usually responds to VASER liposuction alone.
- True gynaecomastia: firm glandular tissue sitting behind the nipple. Liposuction cannot remove this, so a small excision is added.
- Mixed gynaecomastia: fat and gland together. This is the most common picture we see.
VASER uses ultrasound energy to loosen fat so it can be removed through tiny entry points with less force than traditional liposuction. Any firm gland left behind is removed through a short incision at the edge of the areola.
Checking the cause comes first
Before any surgery we want to know why the tissue has grown. The NHS lists hormonal changes, being overweight, side effects of some medicines, anabolic steroids, and conditions affecting the thyroid, kidneys or liver among the causes. Some of these can be treated without an operation.
- We review every medicine and supplement you take, including anything bought for the gym
- We examine both sides of the chest and, where needed, use ultrasound
- If anything suggests a hormonal problem, we ask your GP for blood tests before planning surgery
A new, hard or one-sided lump, nipple discharge or skin change needs checking by your GP promptly, whatever your plans for surgery.
Who it suits, and who it does not
Correction tends to suit men aged 18 and over who:
- Have had chest fullness for at least a year that has not settled with weight loss or exercise
- Are at or near a stable, healthy weight
- Are in good general health and do not smoke, or can stop around surgery
- Have had any hormonal or medication cause looked at and dealt with
Men with a lot of loose skin or a low-hanging nipple may need a skin-removal operation instead, and we will tell you if that is the case. Gynaecomastia in puberty often settles on its own, which is one reason we treat adults only.
The procedure day at Langham Hospital
- Arrival and marking. Dr Anthony reviews your consent, then marks the chest standing up so the plan follows your natural shape.
- Anaesthetic. Most men have local anaesthetic only and stay awake. IV sedation, given by an anaesthetist, is available if you prefer to be drowsy.
- VASER and liposuction. Fat is loosened and removed from the chest and, where needed, the armpit edge through entry points of a few millimetres.
- Gland removal if needed. Any firm gland is taken out through a short incision at the edge of the areola.
- Home the same day. Most procedures take 60 to 90 minutes. You leave in a compression vest with written aftercare and a direct contact number.
Recovery timeline
- Days 1 to 3: soreness and bruising, managed with simple pain relief. Most men return to desk-based work by day 2 or 3.
- Weeks 1 to 2: review with the team; bruising fades. Avoid lifting and chest exercises.
- Weeks 4 to 6: the compression vest is worn day and night for this period. Gym work is reintroduced gradually.
- Weeks 8 to 12: swelling settles enough for the final shape to show.
Results, risks and safety
The fat cells and gland removed do not grow back. Remaining tissue can still enlarge with significant weight gain, steroid use or new medicines, so a stable weight matters. Results vary between individuals and cannot be promised.
In a 2025 multi-centre study of 960 men treated with VASER plus gland excision through a small incision, the complication rate was 1.7%, mostly minor issues such as bruising, temporary numbness and haematoma, and mean satisfaction was 9.4 out of 10. Possible risks include:
- Bruising, swelling and temporary numbness of the chest or nipple
- Haematoma (a collection of blood) or seroma (a collection of fluid) that may need draining
- Contour irregularity, asymmetry, or a slightly sunken area under the nipple
- Infection, delayed healing or a more visible scar
- Rarely, blood clots or a reaction to anaesthetic
How the options compare
| Factor | VASER liposuction alone | VASER plus small gland excision | Open excision with skin removal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suits | Mainly fatty chest | Mixed or glandular chest | Marked loose skin or low nipple position |
| Anaesthetic at Contoura | Usually local, IV sedation optional | Usually local, IV sedation optional | Usually general, discussed case by case |
| Scars | A few millimetre entry points | Entry points plus a short areolar scar | Longer scars on the chest |
| Desk work | Usually 2 to 3 days | Usually 2 to 5 days | Often 1 to 2 weeks |
Why patients choose Dr Edwin Anthony
- Dr Edwin Anthony, Lead Clinician, Contoura Medical (GMC 4776646), personally performs every procedure
- Over 1,500 VASER procedures and 14 years of dedicated VASER practice
- Trained at Trinity College Dublin (MB BCh BAO), MRCS (Edinburgh), with NHS plastic surgery and burns training
- Surgery at Langham Hospital, within the Harley Street medical district, under the hospital's CQC registration
Related procedures
- Medical lipo for lipoedema, gynaecomastia and skin tightening
- Vaser Lipo
- Vaser Hi-Def for chest and abdominal definition
- Renuvion skin tightening
- Body contouring overview
- See our price list
Consultations take place at Langham Hospital, 77 Hallam Street, Marylebone, London W1W 5HB, two minutes' walk from Great Portland Street and Regent's Park stations, or by video. Call 020 3890 1911. Consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices. Your full price is confirmed in writing after consultation, with hospital theatre fees and any IV sedation itemised; see our price list and finance through Chrysalis Finance. Book a consultation
Speak to Dr Edwin Anthony
Consultations take place at Langham Hospital, 77 Hallam Street, Marylebone, London W1W 5HB, or by video. Consultation fees are fixed and are not deducted from treatment prices.
Frequently asked questions
What causes gynaecomastia in adult men?
Common causes include hormonal changes with age, being overweight, anabolic steroids, and side effects of some medicines. Conditions affecting the thyroid, kidneys or liver can also play a part, and in many men no single cause is found. That is why Dr Anthony reviews your medicines and history, and may ask your GP for blood tests before surgery is planned.
Can gynaecomastia be treated without surgery?
Sometimes. Gynaecomastia in puberty often settles by itself, and fullness caused by a medicine may improve if a doctor can safely change it. Losing weight helps where the chest is mainly fatty. Firm glandular tissue that has been present for more than a year rarely goes away on its own, and at that stage surgery is usually the only reliable way to remove it.
Is gynaecomastia surgery done under general anaesthetic?
Not usually at Contoura Medical. Most men have VASER gynaecomastia correction under local anaesthetic as a day case at Langham Hospital, and stay awake throughout. If you would prefer to be drowsy and relaxed, IV sedation given by an anaesthetist is available. Men with a lot of loose skin who need a larger excision are assessed individually.
How much does gynaecomastia surgery cost in London?
The cost depends on whether you need liposuction alone or gland removal as well, whether the armpit area is included, and whether you choose IV sedation. Dr Anthony confirms your full price in writing after consultation, with hospital theatre fees itemised. Our price list gives current guide figures, and finance is available through Chrysalis Finance.
How long is recovery from gynaecomastia surgery?
Most men return to desk-based work within two to three days. You wear a compression vest day and night for four to six weeks, avoid chest exercises and heavy lifting for the first few weeks, and build training back up gradually. Swelling settles slowly, and the final shape is usually visible at eight to twelve weeks.
Is gynaecomastia correction painful?
The local anaesthetic makes the procedure itself comfortable for most men, although you may feel pressure and movement. Afterwards the chest feels sore, tight and bruised for several days, similar to a hard gym session. Simple pain relief and the compression vest usually control this, and discomfort eases after the first week.
Will there be visible scarring?
VASER liposuction uses entry points of a few millimetres, placed in natural creases where possible, and these usually fade well. If gland needs removing, Dr Anthony uses a short incision at the lower edge of the areola, where the colour change helps hide it. Scars take up to a year to mature, and healing varies between people.
Does gynaecomastia come back after surgery?
The fat cells and gland that are removed do not return. However, any remaining tissue can enlarge again with significant weight gain, anabolic steroid use or certain medicines. Keeping a stable weight and avoiding steroids and prohormones helps the result last, which is why we discuss these openly before surgery.
What are the main risks of gynaecomastia surgery?
Common effects are bruising, swelling and temporary numbness. Less common risks include a collection of blood or fluid that needs draining, contour irregularity, asymmetry, a slightly hollow area under the nipple, infection and noticeable scarring. Serious problems such as blood clots are rare. Dr Anthony discusses your individual risks at consultation and on the day.
Who performs gynaecomastia surgery at Contoura Medical?
Dr Edwin Anthony, Lead Clinician at Contoura Medical, performs every procedure himself. He is GMC registered (4776646), holds MRCS from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, trained in NHS plastic surgery and burns units, and has carried out over 1,500 VASER procedures across 14 years of dedicated VASER practice at Langham Hospital.
Sources
Your journey with Contoura
A clear, unhurried process, led by Dr Edwin Anthony from first conversation to final review.
- 01
Consultation
Meet Dr Anthony in person at Langham Hospital or by video. A full assessment of your goals and suitability.
- 02
Your written plan
Your options, expected results, recovery and full costs in writing. You'll always have time to reflect before booking surgery.
- 03
Your procedure
Performed personally by Dr Anthony in a hospital setting at Langham Hospital, Marylebone.
- 04
Aftercare
Follow-up reviews and support from our patient care team throughout your recovery.