Breast tissue is made of fat and glandular tissue. Gynaecomastia can therefore affect either the fatty element, glandular element or a combination of both. Surgery is directed at removing the responsible tissue and is usually either liposuction alone (for fat) or surgical excision (gland). Either procedure is done under a general anesthetic.

Liposuction involves usually two small scars under the breast and in the armpit. A corset is required to be worn for at least one month to minimise irreguarities. Please see the section on liposuction for more details.

Surgical removal of tissue will involve either a small scar under the nipple/breast junction, or if there is considerable breast development extra skin may need to be removed and this would leave a longer scar running along the chest wall.