Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction)

What causes Gynecomastia?

Male breast development can have several causes, the most common being hormonal imbalances. No matter your sex, every human has a unique mixture of hormones. Some men, often during or immediately after puberty or as they enter their later years, develop an imbalance of the hormones which regulate fatty tissue in the chest and nipple area. Over time, this can lead to the growth of male breasts. Though gynecomastia can happen at any age, most frequently, it’s seen in infants, teens, and men 50+ years old due to natural hormonal fluctuations at these periods.

Gynecomastia can also be caused by:

• Obesity
• An unbalanced diet
• Certain diseases and medical conditions
• Medication (including SSRIs, blood pressure medications, anxiety medications, and antibiotics)
• Use of anabolic steroids, alcohol, marijuana, and amphetamines
• Age
• Liver or kidney disease
• Tumors
• Hyperthyroidism

If you’re currently taking any medications and have developed male breasts, be sure to talk with your doctor. In some cases, switching medications can fix the problem without any need for surgical intervention. When you come to your consultation, please bring along a list of all supplements and medication you use regularly.

How Male Breast Reduction Works

For most of our patients, male breast reduction requires two primary procedure phases: liposuction and surgical excision.

Liposuction

In many cases, the development of excess fatty tissue is a primary cause of male breasts. Liposuction is an ideal tool to remove this unwanted fat. Your surgeon will make a small incision (leaving little to no scarring) under the areola or near the breast area and then insert a small cannula. Then using suction, your fat will be removed and chest sculpted. As this method doesn’t remove any skin, we recommend this technique only for patients with minimal to moderate breast development.

Surgical Excision

If, on the other hand, your breasts have developed glandular tissue, or become significant in size, your surgeon may recommend excision and removal of the breast tissue. This technique allows us to remove the breast tissue, excess skin, and fat via carefully placed incisions. We can also sculpt the finished look with great precision, resizing the areola and repositioning the nipple as well if necessary.

Often, some combination of liposuction and excision provides the best results. Each procedure is unique and personalized based on your individual needs and aesthetic goals.

Your Gynecomastia Procedure

At Luna Plastic Surgery, we perform all of our surgeries at Emory Johns Creek Hospital, a 110-bed hospital featuring some of the most cutting-edge medical technologies available.

We offer both liposuction, surgical excision, and any combination of the two for breast reduction. During your consultation, we’ll discuss your goals and assess your condition to find the best route forward.

After surgery, your chest area will be wrapped with bandages and a compression garment. These garments are a vital part of the healing process and hold the tissues and skin in place as you recover. Patients can return home the same day as surgery, usually just a few hours after surgery’s completion.

Recovery

Once you’re back home, you’ll need a between a few days and a few weeks (depending on the extent of surgery and the technique used) to fully recover. Most of our patients take off from work for a week, longer if your job requires strenuous activity.

Some patients experience common but mild side effects, including soreness, tenderness, tightness, swelling, and bruising. All of these symptoms will be most pronounced in the first few days and will gradually fade over a week or so.

You must avoid smoking during the entirety of your recovery process. Smoking can cause severe complications and increase your risk of bleeding. We ask all of our clients to stop consuming tobacco products at least three weeks before surgery and for the duration of recovery. Alcohol use is not recommended, as well.

How Long Do the Results Last?

As soon as you wake up from surgery, you’ll see an improved chest contour and a significant reduction in male breast size. There may be some swelling, but you’ll have a more masculine, flat chest. Over the next weeks, as swelling subsides, results will continue to improve. If combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, male breast reduction can provide permanent results.

FAQ

Are there any associated risks or complications?

Dr. Yugueros is a board-certified, highly skilled, and experienced surgeon. Her knowledge of male breast reduction surgery means you’ll receive the highest level of care possible. She takes every precaution to minimize risks and ensure your safety during both surgery and the recovery process. We will discuss every aspect of your procedure, from pre-op to the last recovery details during your consultation. If at any time you have any questions or concerns, we will provide you with answers.

Who is the ideal candidate for gynecomastia correction surgery?

Men who struggle with a disproportionately large chest/breast area due to some combination of glandular tissue and fat. Often this condition subsides after the teenage years, but we can complete surgery on mid-teens with the agreement of the patient’s pediatrician.

What should I consider before deciding to get breast reduction surgery?

The most important thing to ask yourself is whether your chest’s appearance is worth undergoing surgery. Often our patients are anxious about taking off their shirts or how clothing looks on them as they work out, as well as the appearance of puffy nipples.

Are there nonsurgical treatments for gynecomastia?

Weight loss often helps overweight men, but it may not cure gynecomastia. For men with male breasts who are thin, surgical intervention is the only option to reduce gynecomastia.

How do you decide which type of procedure to get?

Each patient is unique. Some require just one procedure; others need a combination. The main deciding factor is the type of tissue responsible for your chest’s enlargement. For patients with medical gynecomastia, the cause is purely firm, rubbery glandular tissue–which requires surgical excision for removal. On the other end, some men may only have an excess of fat, which can be addressed with liposuction alone.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’re ready to learn more and take the next step towards a flatter, more masculine chest, our team here at Luna Plastic Surgery can help. To schedule an in-person consultation at our Johns Creek, GA, office, please give us a call at 678-892-7820 or contact us online today.

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