At a glance
- What is gynecomastia? Enlarged breasts in men, on one or both sides. It can be due to the mammary gland (true gynecomastia), to fat (pseudo-gynecomastia) or to both.
- How is it operated? Liposuction for the fat and removal of the gland through a small incision at the edge of the areola. Skin removal is added in advanced grades.
- Can exercise get rid of it? Exercise reduces fat but not the gland, which can only be removed surgically. A medical check first looks for a hormonal or drug-related cause.
- What is the recovery like? A compression vest for four to six weeks, back to office work after about a week, sport after four to six weeks. Plan five to seven days in Turkey.
- How much does it cost in Turkey? On quote depending on grade and technique: all-inclusive packages usually range from about €2,000 to €3,500, against roughly £4,000 to £7,000 privately in the UK.
Breasts that are too developed, a chest that is embarrassing at the gym or on the beach: gynecomastia affects many men and does not go away with diet or weight training when it is caused by the gland.
Surgery, performed in Turkey as part of an all-inclusive package, restores a flat and masculine chest contour.
What is gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is an increase in breast volume in men. Common in adolescence, it often goes away on its own, but it persists in some adult men and becomes a daily discomfort. There are three forms, treated differently:
- True gynecomastia: development of the mammary gland, a firm mass under the areola.
- Pseudo-gynecomastia (adipomastia): the volume is fat, without excess gland; common with excess weight.
- Mixed gynecomastia: both gland and fat, the most common form in adults.
What causes gynecomastia?
- puberty, with gynecomastia that persists after growth;
- some medicines, and anabolic steroids used in bodybuilding;
- excess weight, or major weight loss that leaves excess skin;
- more rarely, a hormonal, liver or kidney disease.
Before surgery, a medical check (often a hormonal blood test and a breast ultrasound) looks for a treatable cause.
The grades of gynecomastia
| Grade | Description | Usual technique |
|---|---|---|
| Grade I | Small increase in volume, no excess skin | Liposuction, with or without gland removal |
| Grade IIa | Moderate volume, no excess skin | Liposuction and gland removal through a small areolar incision |
| Grade IIb | Moderate volume, slight excess skin | Liposuction and gland removal, sometimes minor skin removal |
| Grade III | Large volume and sagging skin, like a female breast | Gland and skin removal, with areola repositioning |
The surgical techniques
Liposuction
It removes fat through incisions of a few millimetres and is enough for pseudo-gynecomastia. Vaser liposuction (ultrasound-assisted) makes it easier to treat the firm tissue of the chest.
Gland removal
Liposuction does not remove the gland. For true or mixed gynecomastia, the surgeon removes it through a small half-moon incision on the lower edge of the areola, where the scar blends into the colour change.
Skin removal
When the skin is stretched, after major weight loss or in advanced grades, excess skin is removed. Scars are longer, but the chest regains a clean contour. See also surgery after massive weight loss.
A good result does not mean removing everything: the surgeon leaves a thin layer of tissue under the areola to avoid a hollow, and keeps a natural contour with the pectoral muscles.
How does the operation go?
- Anaesthesia: usually general; local anaesthesia may be enough for simple liposuction.
- Duration: about one to two hours, longer with skin removal.
- Hospital stay: day case or one night at the clinic.
Recovery and results
- Compression vest: worn day and night for about four to six weeks.
- Work: back to office work after about one week.
- Sport: running and upper-body training after four to six weeks.
- Result: the chest is flat within weeks; the final result is assessed after three to six months.
The removed gland does not grow back, so the result is generally lasting, although major weight gain, some medicines or steroids can bring volume back. In Turkey, plan about five to seven days on site.
What are the risks?
Haematoma, fluid collection (seroma), asymmetry, contour irregularities, reduced nipple sensation, or a hollow under the areola if too much tissue is removed. The choice of technique and the surgeon's experience limit these risks.
How much does gynecomastia surgery cost in Turkey?
| Where | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Turkey, all-inclusive packages | Usually about €2,000 to €3,500, hotel and transfers included |
| United Kingdom, private clinic | Around £4,000 to £7,000, travel and hotel not included |
| United Kingdom, NHS | Rarely funded for cosmetic reasons, long waiting lists |
Indicative figures gathered in 2026. The Aram Clinic price is confirmed by a personalised quote.
Our surgeons
At Aram Clinic, gynecomastia is treated by plastic surgeons experienced in body contouring, in Istanbul and Izmir.
Dr Mehmet Karaaltin (Istanbul)
A graduate of the Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in Istanbul, certified by the Turkish Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of EBOPRAS and ISAPS, he has more than 25 years of experience. As an ISAPS member surgeon, he provides ISAPS insurance for the cosmetic procedures he performs. High-definition liposuction and body contouring are among his areas of expertise.
Dr Tolgahan Alpaydin (Izmir)
A graduate of Ege University (Izmir), he completed his plastic surgery residency there (1995–2001), then a microsurgery fellowship and aesthetic surgery training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (USA). He has directed the Izmir Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Clinic since 2003. He has extensive experience in traditional and ultrasonic liposuction and liposculpture.
Frequently asked questions
From what age can it be operated?
After puberty, usually from 18. Teenage gynecomastia often regresses on its own within one to two years.
Are the scars visible?
For liposuction and gland removal they are small: a few millimetres and a fine line at the edge of the areola. They are longer only with skin removal.
Can only one side be operated?
Yes, aiming for the best possible symmetry with the other side.