Last face-checked: 7 March 2020

Male breast reduction surgery is indicated for men with enlarged breasts, commonly known as man boobs or "moobs." Contrary to what many people believe, its cause is not just obesity.

Men who feel self-conscious about their appearance may be considered for the surgery. If you are looking to minimize the costs of surgery, heading abroad to an established medical tourism destination like Bangkok could be a money-saving solution. 

What Causes Enlarged Male Breasts?

Technically known as gynecomastia, male boobs can form as a result of abnormal growth of glandular breast tissue, which is usually caused by a hormonal imbalance. Other causes can be:

• Drug use, especially anabolic steroids
• Excessive alcohol intake
• Dramatic weight loss, causing skin sagging
• Certain diseases, such as cancer and liver failure
• Congenital (birth) abnormalities

If you are self-conscious about your breast size, male breast reduction may be suitable. However, if your breasts are enlarged because of excessive alcohol intake or obesity, you may be able to reduce the size through exercise and diet. Your surgeon will consider the options with you before you embark on breast reduction surgery. This can be done by visiting a local physician at home (prior to booking your surgery and flights to Bangkok).

Generally, you will need to be over 18, healthy and within your ideal body weight range. Good skin elasticity is also helpful.

If you are self-conscious about your moobs and don’t want to have to explain to people at home why you are going to the hospital, let alone have them wonder why your chest is bandaged and tender, then a trip to Bangkok may be a good option for you. It offers discrete services and the city offers a myriad of activities before or after your surgery. Many people return to work within a week so it is certainly feasible to go to Thailand for a holiday, have your surgery and return home without anyone else at home the wiser.

Bangkok’s healthcare facilities are among the best in the world. Many are contemporary, well-equipped and staffed by skilled clinicians and ancillary staff. Hospital waiting rooms are spacious and pleasant, often with big, comfortable sofas, tables, desks and with free wifi so you can pass the time catching up with work, people at home, or a bit of Netflix. It is a world away from some of the cramped, overcrowded conditions some of us experience in our hospitals at home.

Finding the right clinic and doctor isn’t easy when searching for a facility in a foreign country, which is why Medical Departures has done the research for you. You’ll want to check out your surgeon’s qualifications and professional memberships–which we do and list them on our website. You will also want to know if they have no legal or criminal records relating to misconduct, which we also check. You may also want to know how previous patients have got on–and we authenticate publish patient reviews. You can also see high-definition photos, and virtual video tours, giving you the knowledge to book with confidence.

The male breast reduction procedure takes around one to two hours to complete and is usually performed under a general anesthetic. Incisions are made around the areola (nipple) and excess fatty tissue may be removed with liposuction. Incisions may extend down the chest from the areola if there is a lot of tissue to remove, and the nipples may be repositioned.

What Is the Recovery Time for Male Breast Reduction Surgery?

Post-surgery you can expect to feel tender and stiff around the chest area. Pain medication will be given and you will probably experience continued numbness and soreness for a week or two. You should be able to return to your daily routine in a few days and most patients go back to work in a week if your job is not too physical.

Strenuous exercise or activity must be avoided for at least a month, and it is important not to place undue stress on the chest area by lifting or stretching. You should also refrain from exposing your chest to the sun for six months as it can affect the pigmentation of the scars. It can take the same amount of time before swelling has completely subsided, and the full results of the male breast reduction procedure can be seen.

The average cost of male breast reduction in Bangkok is AUD $3,000 compared to the cost in Australia of AUD $6,000.

Please note: These are approximate prices based on global averages at the time of writing. To see updated prices, as well as clinic photos, surgeon profiles, patient reviews and other information, take a look at these three leading clinics in Bangkok for male breast reduction:

• Wansiri Hospital 
• Bangkok Plastic Surgery
• Interplast Clinic

Find out more about our quality-checked surgeons and clinics in Bangkok.

See below for ways to book your appointment through Medical Departures. If you have questions or concerns about male breast reduction surgery in Bangkok, please feel free to get in touch with our Customer Care Team.

Sources:

Gynecomastia Surgery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Website accessed: 16 December 2020.  https://www.plasticsurgery.org/photo-gallery/procedure/male-breast-reduction

Gynecomasty Surgery Guide. American Board of Cosmetic Surgeons. Website accessed: 16 December 2020.  https://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/procedure-learning-center/body/gynecomastia-surgery-guide/

25 Best Things to Do in Bangkok (Thailand). The Crazy Tourist. Website accessed: 6 March 2020. 
https://www.thecrazytourist.com/top-25-things-to-do-in-bangkok/