About Male Breast Reduction: Gynecomastia

In today’s blog, I’ll attempt to answer some common questions about gynecomastia (also known as male breast enlargement) and your treatment options if you have this condition.

Gynecomastia can cause low self confidence and emotional pain. Some men may even avoid exercise or sexual intimacy to hide their condition.

What is gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts in men. It is common in men of all ages. Male breast development can happen in one breast or both.

What causes male breast development?

Gynecomastia can be the result of weight gain, hormonal changes, heredity conditions, disease, or the use of certain drugs.

What are my options for treatment?

Male breast reduction is much more common then you might think. There are a few different types of male breast reduction.

If your gynecomastia consists primarily of excessive fatty tissue, (this is the most common), I’ll use liposuction to remove the excess fat. The procedure may involve some slight discomfort, but is usually not painful.

If excess glandular tissue is the primary cause of the breast enlargement, it will be excised, or cut out, with a scalpel. It is usually performed in conjunction with Ultrasound Assisted Liposuction (UAL). Usually, incisions are made in an inconspicuous location, either on the edge of the nipple (areola) and along the breast crease. Unless the reduction is quite major, scarring should be minimal.

On occasion, in extreme cases where large amounts of fat or glandular tissue are removed, some amount of remaining skin should be removed as well to adjust to the new breast contour.

What’s recovery like?

You will feel some discomfort for a few days after surgery–it usually feels like a heave workout. Any pain can be controlled with medications. You will have some swelling that can take a few weeks to go away. You will wear an elastic pressure garment for several weeks to help with the swelling. In general, recovery from this procedure is not too bad—many patients return to work in 3-4 days.

How can male breast reduction enhance my life?

Many patients report a huge boost in self confidence, sexual satisfaction, and physical activity.