Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction)
An extremely common condition that can affect men of all ethnic backgrounds, fitness levels, and ages, Gynecomastia is a disorder in which males develop excess breast tissue and/or fat on the chest. There are many causes for Gynecomastia, including hormone imbalance, weight gain, and genetic influences, and more than one of these can play a role. While not a health concern in and of itself, Gynecomastia can be very distressing for the afflicted individual, causing self-consciousness and reduced desire to participate in certain activities that may require them to be shirtless.
What Is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is typically characterized by an excess of fat, skin, and/or glandular tissue in the breasts. This condition often results in an enlarged breast appearance, which can lead to extreme self-consciousness and even depression in men. It can also cause breasts that look disproportionate, as well as breast tenderness and a swelling or protruding effect on the nipples. Gynecomastia is experienced by many men and can have a significant impact on one’s self-esteem. Oftentimes, men who suffer from gynecomastia will feel uncomfortable or embarrassed when wearing form-fitting clothing or removing their shirt at the pool or beach. Plus, many individuals find that diet and exercise often prove ineffective at addressing the condition. Fortunately, there is treatment available that can recontour the chest area with exceptional results.
What causes Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia can develop in young boys as well as adult men. Young boys and teens may experience this condition as a result of fluctuating hormones. If this is the case, the problem should resolve itself within a couple of years. Most adults and some minors acquire Gynecomastia due to genetic predisposition to fat and breast tissue accumulation in this area. Weight gain can exacerbate the problem as well. Gynecomastia refers to the amassing of breast tissue, and not solely fatty tissue, in the male breast area. Patients who have excess fat alone in this region are said to have Pseudo-Gynecomastia. Many men have a combination of breast and fatty tissue. There are treatment options to address both of these situations and achieve a flatter, smoother chest.
What Does the Male Breast Reduction Procedure Involve?
The surgery is performed as outpatient procedure, which means you should be able to return home the same day as the operation, under general anesthesia.
- In cases where enlarged male breasts are due simply to an excess of fat (pseudogynecomastia), the desired results can potentially be achieved with liposuction alone.
- In cases where the enlarged breasts are due to a combination of fat and glandular breast tissue, liposuction can typically address a large percentage of the desired volume reduction.
- Direct excision of the residual breast tissue under the nipple and areola may also be necessary. This additional incision can often be well-hidden in the pigmented area of the areola for results that look natural and inconspicuous after the recovery process is complete.
Indeed, in most cases, the decrease in glandular volume allows spontaneous skin retraction. However, in some cases, excessive skin excess must be reduced by a skin lift, with periareolar scars, which are usually discrete and located inside the areola.
What is recovery like?
You should plan to take at least a week off from work, potentially more depending on your individual treatment plan and unique rate of healing. You will have bandages wrapped around the affected area and may need to wear a compression garment. Swelling, tenderness, and bruising are to be expected, and these effects should gradually fade as you recover. To help make this process as pleasant as possible, we will provide medication to minimize discomfort. After about 1-1,5 months you can begin exercising again, but you should not perform strenuous activity before this point. Full healing can take up to 3 months or more, but most patients will have a good idea of the final results after 6 months.