Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia surgery in Scottsdale with Dr. Victoria Aimé begins with evaluating how much of your chest fullness comes from fat, glandular breast tissue, or excess skin to determine which combination of liposuction, tissue removal, and skin removal may best address your concerns.


Gynecomastia can look similar from the outside but be caused by different amounts and distributions of fat, firm glandular breast tissue, and excess skin. The location of the fullness, chest shape, nipple and areola size and position, skin quality, and differences between the two sides can all affect which surgical techniques are needed.
During your consultation, your chest is evaluated to determine how much of the fullness comes from fat versus glandular breast tissue and whether excess skin or changes in nipple position also need to be addressed. Your overall chest proportions and goals are considered when determining how much tissue should be removed and where.
Liposuction can reduce excess fatty tissue and contour the surrounding chest, while firm glandular tissue may need to be removed directly through an incision near the areola. These techniques can be used alone or together. When there is significant excess skin, additional skin removal and repositioning of the nipple and areola may also be needed. The amount of skin that needs to be removed influences the length and location of the scars.
The surgical plan balances reducing excess tissue with creating a chest shape that fits your anatomy and goals. Part of the consultation is determining which combination of techniques can achieve that change while keeping incisions and scars as limited as your anatomy allows.
What you need to know
Every procedure and treatment we offer is thoughtfully designed to meet your unique goals, lifestyle, and anatomy. Below, you’ll find key details about what to expect—from how the procedure works to recovery guidance and ideal candidacy—so you can feel informed, confident, and empowered at every step of your journey.
Surgery length: 2–3 hours
Anesthesia: Local (awake) or general anesthesia (asleep)
Setting: Outpatient procedure (go home same day)
Drains: Rarely required
Incisions: Small scars at the edge of the areola and outer chest wall
Recovery time: 1-2 weeks for light activity
Reduces enlarged or puffy male breast tissue
Restores a more masculine chest shape and definition
Improves nipple and areola proportion and contour
Decreases physical discomfort, tenderness, or tightness
Boosts confidence in fitted clothing and shirtless settings
You may be a good candidate for male chest surgery if you:
Are in overall good health
Do not use nicotine products or are willing to stop for at least 6 weeks before and 6 weeks after surgery
Are at a stable weight
Have enlarged glandular tissue and/or chest fat
Experience puffiness or tenderness in the chest
Are bothered by the appearance of your chest and desire a more defined, masculine contour

An overview of the procedure

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Every patient heals at a different pace, but recovery generally follows a predictable progression. The timeline below provides a guide to what you may expect during the early healing period and as you gradually return to normal activities.
Day of Procedure
Return home the same day (outpatient surgery).
A compression garment will be placed over your chest to minimize swelling and support healing.
Mild to moderate discomfort is expected, usually well managed with prescription pain and anti-inflammatory medications.
Change dressings. Some drainage from incision sites is expected.
Days 1-3
Swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort are common and may peak during this time.
Gentle walking is encouraged to maintain circulation, but strenuous activity must be avoided.
Take first shower and change dressings.
Keep the compression garment on at all times except with bathing or washing the garment.
Weeks 1-2
Most patients return to non-physical work within 3–7 days.
Pain significantly decreases by the end of week one.
Return for your first post-op appointment.
Shower and wash garment daily.
Continue wearing your compression garment 24/7.
Weeks 2-4
Swelling and bruising continue to subside.
Light cardio (like walking or stationary cycling) may be allowed if cleared by Dr. Aimé.
Continue wearing the compression garment.
Incisions continue to heal.
Weeks 4-6
Most restrictions are lifted around this time, including returning to moderate strength training or more active workouts.
May discontinue wearing compression garment.
Final results begin to appear as residual swelling decreases.
Massage and scar care may be recommended depending on your healing progress.
After Week 6
The majority of swelling will resolve over 3-6 months and your chest will have a more natural appearance.
Scar maturation will continue for one year—sun protection is crucial to prevent hyperpigmentation.
You can return to full physical activity, including chest workouts, overhead lifting and getting the pool.
You'll continue to follow-up with Dr. Aimé to ensure proper healing.
Final results are typically assessed between 6-12 months post-op.
"I was very pleased with Dr. Aimé because she made me feel comfortable by explaining her methods in a conversational manner. I couldn’t be happier with my result. I highly recommend Dr. Aimé!"
“I recently underwent a submentoplasty procedure performed by the incredibly talented plastic surgeon, Dr Aimé. My decision to have submentoplasty was not taken lightly and Dr Aimé made sure to thoroughly explain the entire procedure to me during our consultation.”
The total cost of surgery varies based on several factors, including the complexity of the procedure, operating time, anesthesia requirements, and the surgical facility used.
Our consultation fee is $150 and includes a comprehensive evaluation, surgical planning discussion, and personalized recommendations.
This estimate generally includes:
- Surgeon’s fee
- Anesthesia services
- Surgical facility costs
- CosmetAssure complication coverage
A personalized, exact quote is provided after your consultation, once your surgical plan has been tailored to your anatomy, goals, and priorities.
We believe sharing realistic pricing ranges helps patients decide whether a consultation is the right next step.
Dr. Aimé partners with you during your consultation to determine the surgical approach best suited to your anatomy, aesthetic goals, and long-term outcome. Because every surgical plan is individualized, pricing reflects the customized strategy required to safely and effectively achieve your desired result. Surgical investment may vary within the listed ranges depending on procedural complexity, operative time, implant or device selection, revision needs, and any adjunctive procedures recommended during consultation.
Common surgical variations include:
- Liposuction of chest with or without removal of gland
Pricing listed on this website is intended as a general estimate and is subject to change. A personalized quote is provided after consultation once your treatment plan has been finalized. While estimates are designed to account for anticipated surgical expenses, certain third-party costs may be billed separately depending on the procedure and facility requirements. Please note that anesthesia providers and surgical facilities may not participate in financing programs offered through our office and may require separate payment arrangements prior to surgery.
Additional items that may be recommended as part of your surgical care — and that we aim to account for when preparing your quote — can include post-surgical garments, dressing supplies, and long-acting local anesthetics.
Additional fees related to anesthesia services, accredited surgical facilities, pathology, laboratory testing, medical clearances, prescriptions, and postoperative garments may apply separately and are generally not included in your estimate.
All routine postoperative appointments related to your surgery are provided at no additional charge.
Surgical quotes are valid for 90 days from the date they are provided. To secure pricing, the procedure must be booked within this time frame; the surgical date itself may be scheduled beyond 90 days, based on availability and patient preference.
A $500 surgical reservation fee is due at the time of booking and is applied toward your total surgical cost.

Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve gathered answers to some of the most common questions our patients ask about this procedure. Whether you’re just starting your research or preparing for surgery, this section is here to help you feel informed and confident every step of the way.
There are many causes of gynecomastia. Lifestyle choices such as poor diet and lack of exercise can lead to increased fatty tissue over the chest. Hormone fluctuations (such as during puberty), anabolic steroids and testosterone supplementation can stimulate enlargement of the breast tissue. Many medications (such as sprinolactone, ketoconazole, and cimetidine) as well as recreational drugs, including marijuana, can also cause gynecomastia. Medical conditions including liver disease, thyroid disease, kidney disease and certain cancers such as testicular cancer are also associated with gynecomastia. In some cases the cause of gynecomastia remains unknown.
Gynecomastia is quite common. It is not unusual for men to feel that they are the only one with this condition. Many men wear compression undershirts and avoid shirtless situations such as the beach or the pool due to distress and embarrassment from the appearance of their chest. However, gynecomastia is more common than is typically discussed. There are generally three peaks during a lifespan that gynecomastia occurs. The first is during infancy due to estrogens in breast milk. The second most common timeframe to develop gynecomastia is during puberty. In fact, up to 70% of male adolescents develop gynecomastia due to hormonal changes during puberty and 25% of the time this pubertal gynecomastia does not resolve on its own and persists into adulthood. The last most common timeframe to develop gynecomastia is middle age to early older age, in which up to 65% of men are affected. So although not commonly openly discussed, gynecomastia is in fact very common.
Generally, no. Most gynecomastia is a benign process that is mostly just emotionally distressing and not in itself harmful. During your consultation appointment, your medical history will be thoroughly reviewed and a physical exam will be performed. Only if there are any concerning findings, which is quite rare, will Dr. Aime recommend follow-up with your primary care doctor for further work-up imaging or labs prior to your procedure.
Yes, it can in most cases. Often, patients choose to have liposuction done on other areas (such as the armpits, neck, abdomen or flanks) or a tummy tuck performed during the same surgery.
Yes, any excised male breast gland is sent to pathology to ensure that there are no masses present within the tissue. While male breast cancer is very rare, it does exist and it is important to have a pathologist review the removed glandular tissue to ensure that it is not present.
The most common complication after male chest surgery is accumulation of blood under the skin of the chest (called a hematoma). Although this can require that the wound is opened to drain the fluid, it can often be treated with needle aspiration in the office and additional compression. Loss of sensation of the nipple and areola is uncommon, but can occur. Although rare, the blood supply to the nipple and areola can be injured during the procedure resulting in loss of viability of the areolar skin. This can possibly require an additional procedure to reconstruct the nipple areola or medical tattooing to restore the natural pigment, which can be faded (called hypopigmentation) in rare cases.
Generally, the results from male chest surgery are long-lasting. Weight gain, steroid use (testosterone or anabolic steroids), certain medications, marijuana use, hormone fluctuation and some medical conditions can lead to recurrence of gynecomastia. A small amount of male breast gland is left under the nipple and areola purposely during the procedure to support the nipple and areola and prevent it from "caving in."
True gynecomastia, where the breast tissue itself is enlarged, will not typically go away with weight loss and exercise. The most effective treatment for gynecomastia is surgery to remove the enlarged breast tissue.
However, pseudogynecomastia, which is when the enlarged breasts are made up of only fatty tissue, which is most commonly seen in older or over-weight men, may improve with weight loss and exercise.
Ready to start your transformation?
Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or have specific goals in mind, we’re here to guide you with expertise and compassion.

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