Gynecomastia surgery Gynecomastia can be emotionally devastating. A boy or a man who struggles with gynecomastia is anxious about acts as simple as taking off his shirt in public. For many men, the best solution is surgery. However, a full history, examination and laboratory evaluation is necessary before surgery. Step two is a psychological repair. The condition is common in childhood and adolescence, as well as in middle-aged men and older adults. One estimate is that 60-90% of children have transient gynecomastia due to the high estrogen status of pregnancy. Generally, the swollen breast tissue recedes within two to three weeks after birth