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Gynecomastia Surgery, La Jolla
Gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction) removes enlarged breast gland tissue and excess fat to flatten the male chest. At your La Jolla consultation, Tim Sayed MD examines the chest, reviews possible contributing causes, and discusses whether gland excision, liposuction, or both fits your anatomy.
The La Jolla consultation office is in University City, at 4510 Executive Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92121. Consultations and follow-ups take place here. Surgery is performed only in accredited operating rooms separate from both consultation offices, not at the University City office.
Gynecomastia surgery removes the enlarged gland and fat that make the male chest look puffy or full, for a flatter, firmer contour. It is usually an outpatient procedure through small incisions hidden at the edge of the areola.
What it is
A procedure that removes firm breast gland and excess fat from the male chest, through a small incision at the lower edge of the areola, to flatten and firm the chest.
Where it is used
The chest: the firm gland directly behind the nipple and areola, and the surrounding fatty fullness, on one or both sides.
Anesthesia
General anesthesia, or local anesthesia with sedation for smaller cases, as an outpatient procedure. It usually takes one to two hours.
Downtime
Most men return to desk work within a few days, and to the gym by about four to six weeks, wearing a compression vest.
Results
A flatter, firmer, more masculine chest. The removed gland does not return, and the final contour shows as swelling resolves over the following weeks.
Who it suits
Men with persistent enlarged breast tissue that diet and the gym cannot shift, at a stable weight and in good health. A consultation confirms candidacy.
Why patients choose Tim Sayed MD
Dr. Sayed is certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, and he has been recertified in both after ten years. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Request a gynecomastia surgery consultation in La Jolla · (858) 247-2933
Gland vs fat
Gland tissue is usually removed through a small incision at the lower edge of the areola, and liposuction may be used to contour surrounding fat. When there is significant excess skin, additional incisions may be needed. It is usually an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia or, for smaller cases, local anesthesia with sedation. Removed tissue may be sent for pathology case by case at the surgeon's discretion; ask what applies to your plan.
Plan for an adult to drive you home from the operating facility.
| Consideration | How they differ |
|---|---|
| Cause | Gynecomastia is firm glandular tissue behind the nipple; chest fat (pseudogynecomastia) is soft fatty tissue with no excess gland. |
| How it feels | Gynecomastia feels like a firm disc under the areola; chest fat is soft and even and shifts with weight. |
| Treatment | Gynecomastia: the gland is removed by excision, usually with liposuction. Chest fat: liposuction alone is often enough. |
| Responds to the gym | Gland does not shrink with exercise or weight loss; chest fat improves as you lose weight. |
| Best for | Gynecomastia surgery suits a firm gland that persists; liposuction alone suits soft, fat-only fullness. |
Practice pricing information for La Jolla patients · Financing information for La Jolla patients
Compare gynecomastia surgery with male liposuction
Consultation
Bring a list of all medications and supplements—including anabolic steroids, testosterone, or other hormones—plus any recent lab work and your weight history. Note whether one or both sides are affected and how long the fullness has been present.
Ask whether the tissue is mainly gland, fat, or both; whether evaluation for an underlying cause is recommended before surgery; where the incisions would be; and whether excess skin needs to be addressed.
Matching the plan to the cause matters. Firm gland needs excision; fat needs liposuction; loose skin may need tightening. Dr. Sayed assesses all three and recommends what fits.
Compare gynecomastia with male body contouring
The procedure
True gynecomastia involves firm glandular tissue, usually behind the nipple and areola. Pseudogynecomastia is chest fullness mainly from fat. Many men have a combination. Gland tissue generally needs to be removed directly; liposuction alone usually treats fat.
Causes can include hormonal changes, certain medications, anabolic steroids, alcohol or drug use, weight gain, and some medical conditions. When a cause may be treatable, evaluation comes first. New one-sided firmness, a hard lump, skin changes, or nipple discharge need medical evaluation rather than cosmetic planning.
Related options include male liposuction in La Jolla, male body contouring in La Jolla, and men's plastic surgery in La Jolla.
Risks include bleeding or hematoma, fluid collection (seroma), infection, anesthesia complications, changes in nipple sensation, contour irregularities or a dent under the nipple, asymmetry, visible scars, and the need for revision. Fullness can return if the underlying cause continues, such as steroid use or weight gain.
Seek prompt care for rapidly increasing swelling on one side, fever, or chest pain or shortness of breath.
Before and after
Ask to see before-and-after photographs relevant to your concerns. The same practice gallery is used for both offices; these are not location-specific results. Photographs do not guarantee your outcome. Practice photo gallery information for La Jolla patients
Photographs are examples of real outcomes and are not a guarantee. Individual results depend on anatomy, healing, and the specific plan.
Cost and financing
The current published guide for gynecomastia surgery is about $5,000–$9,000, depending on whether one or both sides are treated, the technique, and the anesthesia. The same guide applies at both consultation offices; it is not a La Jolla-specific market price.
Request a written quote for your proposed plan. Ask which fees it includes, such as the surgeon's fee, anesthesia, and facility fees, and what could add to the cost. Gynecomastia surgery is often considered cosmetic. Some insurers consider coverage in specific documented circumstances; check your policy’s requirements before surgery.
Ask about gynecomastia financing
Recovery
A compression vest is usually worn for several weeks. Many men return to desk work within several days to a week; heavier lifting and upper-body workouts wait longer, often several weeks, until cleared. Swelling settles gradually, and the final contour becomes clearer over months.
Ask about drains if used, showering, sleeping position, and when to resume chest exercises.
Ask about gynecomastia recovery
Your surgeon
Dr. Sayed is certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery, and he has been recertified in both after ten years. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
He earned his medical degree at the UCSF School of Medicine, completed general surgery training at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard, and returned to UCSF for his plastic surgery fellowship.
Ask about gynecomastia cases similar to yours, whether your tissue is mainly gland or fat, and how contour irregularities would be managed.
Read the practice biography before your La Jolla consultation
American Board of Plastic Surgery
Board certified and recertified
American Board of Surgery
Board certified and recertified
UCSF School of Medicine
MD and plastic surgery residency
Harvard, Mass General
General surgery training
Kellogg School of Management
Executive MBA, Northwestern
Alpha Omega Alpha
National medical honor society
Office
For your La Jolla gynecomastia consultation and follow-ups, use the University City office's San Diego postal address shown below.
Tim Sayed MD — La Jolla / University City consultation office 4510 Executive Drive, Suite 210 San Diego, CA 92121 Shared practice phone: (858) 247-2933
Confirm your appointment time when scheduling. On Mondays, this office opens at 9:00 AM, half an hour later than the Newport Beach office.
Choose the office you can return to for follow-ups, not just the first visit. Follow-up visits take place at your consultation office, so settle that choice before you schedule.
Consultation details for La Jolla · Compare the Newport Beach consultation office
Before surgery, ask the team for the operating facility's address, arrival time, and discharge instructions. Do not use the University City consultation address as your surgery destination. Arrange a ride from the accredited operating room, and plan your return trips to this office. If you will recover outside the area, ask how long to stay nearby and when you must come back; no fixed stay applies to everyone.
Tim Sayed MD, La Jolla / University City
Address
4510 Executive Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92121
Phone
(858) 247-2933
Hours
Mon 9:00 AM–4:30 PM; Tue–Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM PT; Sat–Sun closed
Surgery
Accredited operating rooms only, separate from both consultation offices
Approved copy
For your La Jolla gynecomastia consultation and follow-ups, use the University City office's San Diego postal address shown below.
Tim Sayed MD — La Jolla / University City consultation office 4510 Executive Drive, Suite 210 San Diego, CA 92121 Shared practice phone: (858) 247-2933
Confirm your appointment time when scheduling. On Mondays, this office opens at 9:00 AM, half an hour later than the Newport Beach office.
Choose the office you can return to for follow-ups, not just the first visit. Follow-up visits take place at your consultation office, so settle that choice before you schedule.
Consultation details for La Jolla · Compare the Newport Beach consultation office
Before surgery, ask the team for the operating facility's address, arrival time, and discharge instructions. Do not use the University City consultation address as your surgery destination. Arrange a ride from the accredited operating room, and plan your return trips to this office. If you will recover outside the area, ask how long to stay nearby and when you must come back; no fixed stay applies to everyone.
The current published guide for gynecomastia surgery is about $5,000–$9,000, depending on whether one or both sides are treated, the technique, and the anesthesia. The same guide applies at both consultation offices; it is not a La Jolla-specific market price.
Request a written quote for your proposed plan. Ask which fees it includes, such as the surgeon's fee, anesthesia, and facility fees, and what could add to the cost. Gynecomastia surgery is often considered cosmetic. Some insurers consider coverage in specific documented circumstances; check your policy’s requirements before surgery.
Practice pricing information for La Jolla patients · Financing information for La Jolla patients
A compression vest is usually worn for several weeks. Many men return to desk work within several days to a week; heavier lifting and upper-body workouts wait longer, often several weeks, until cleared. Swelling settles gradually, and the final contour becomes clearer over months.
Ask about drains if used, showering, sleeping position, and when to resume chest exercises.
Your follow-ups are at the same University City office where you had your La Jolla consultation. Ask when each check is needed and how to reach the team with concerns outside office hours. The office hours above are not an emergency-care schedule.
True gynecomastia involves firm glandular tissue, usually behind the nipple and areola. Pseudogynecomastia is chest fullness mainly from fat. Many men have a combination. Gland tissue generally needs to be removed directly; liposuction alone usually treats fat.
Causes can include hormonal changes, certain medications, anabolic steroids, alcohol or drug use, weight gain, and some medical conditions. When a cause may be treatable, evaluation comes first. New one-sided firmness, a hard lump, skin changes, or nipple discharge need medical evaluation rather than cosmetic planning.
FAQ
Gynecomastia is enlargement of the glandular breast tissue in males. It can affect one or both sides and is often accompanied by excess fat.
Fat alone may respond to liposuction. Firm gland tissue usually needs to be removed directly. Many men need both. An examination determines the mix.
The current published guide is about $5,000–$9,000, depending on whether one or both sides are treated and the anesthesia. The same guide applies at both offices; request a written quote for your plan.
When medications, hormones, or a medical condition may be contributing, evaluation and treatment of the cause may come first. New one-sided lumps need medical evaluation.
Removed gland tissue does not grow back, but remaining tissue can enlarge if the cause continues—for example, with steroid use, some medications, or weight gain.
Usually a small scar at the lower edge of the areola, plus small liposuction incisions. Significant excess skin may require longer scars.
Many men return to desk work within several days to a week. A compression vest is worn for several weeks, and chest workouts wait until cleared.
It is often considered cosmetic. Some insurers consider coverage in specific documented circumstances; check your policy.
Soreness and tightness are common early and are usually managed with prescribed or recommended medication.
If a medication or condition is the cause, addressing it may help, especially for recent onset. Long-standing gland tissue usually does not resolve without surgery.
It can sometimes be combined with liposuction of other areas or other body contouring. Combining changes recovery and risk.
Risks include bleeding, seroma, infection, sensation changes, contour irregularities, asymmetry, scarring, and the need for revision.
Gynecomastia during puberty often improves on its own. Surgery for adolescents is considered selectively and generally after the condition has persisted; evaluation is required.
Candidates are healthy men with persistent chest fullness, at a stable weight, with any treatable cause addressed and realistic expectations.
The office is in University City at 4510 Executive Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, CA 92121. Monday hours are 9:00 AM–4:30 PM; Tuesday–Friday hours are 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, Pacific Time. It is closed Saturday and Sunday. Confirm your appointment time when scheduling. Call (858) 247-2933.
Your follow-ups are at the same University City office as your consultation. Surgery is performed only in accredited operating rooms separate from both consultation offices. Get the operating facility's address before arranging transportation. If you are traveling, ask how long to stay nearby and when to return for follow-up.
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