Gynecomastia / Male Breast Reduction

Overview

Gynecomastia is the medical term for enlarged or feminized male breasts. This condition is very common, affecting up to 50% of newborn males and 1 in 4 men between 50-69 years of age. Common signs of gynecomastia include puffy nipples, enlarged glandular tissue, and excess skin and/or fat tissue in the chest area. There is a wide range of possible appearances, from pointed nipples to very feminized breasts that droop down toward the navel. Surgery to improve the appearance of this condition usually includes a combination of liposuction and tissue excision.

 

Grades & Causes of Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia presents in a range of appearances that are graded from I-IV as follows:

Grade I: Mildly excessive fat and/or glandular tissue with no excess skin; puffy nipples.

Grade II: Moderate amount of excess fat and glandular breast tissue with no excess skin or sagging.

Grade III: Moderately excessive glandular tissue and fatty tissue, mild-to-moderate excess skin, and mild sagging.

Grade IV: Severely excessive fat and glandular tissue, severe excess skin, female breast shape, and very low-drooping breasts.

Possible causes include genetic predisposition, hormonal imbalance (excessive estrogen), chronic obesity, and the use of various drugs, including some anabolic steroids. Men with enlarged breast tissue may feel very self-conscious about the condition. It often affects self-confidence, socialization, intimate relationships, and overall contentedness.

The Goal of Gynecomastia Surgery

The goal of male breast reduction surgery is to create a more masculine chest appearance in men with feminized breasts. Sometimes, gynecomastia goes away on its own. However, many cases require surgical intervention which typically includes liposuction, glandular and fat tissue excision, or a combination of the two.

Pros & Cons of the Procedure

• Increased comfort revealing chest contours when clothed or not

• A safe, effective treatment that creates permanent results

• Increased self-confidence and desire to socialize

There are not a lot of negatives associated with gynecomastia surgery. In most cases, patients are happy with the results. ASAPS reports a 93.2% patient satisfaction rate. There is some scarring that results, which causes some men to feel self-conscious when undressed. However, scar revision procedures and laser resurfacing treatments can reduce the appearance of prominent scars.

Ideal Candidate

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), good candidates for male breast reduction surgery include men who desire more attractive chest contours and:

• Have no medical conditions that can hinder or prohibit the healing process.

• Have enlarged breasts that cannot be treated without surgery.

• Are over 18 years of age with stabilized symptoms.

• Have a stable, relatively normal body weight.

• Are healthy with no life-threatening illnesses.

• Do not smoke tobacco products.

The best candidates for gynecomastia surgery have realistic expectations about it and its possible results. Discuss your specific goals with a certified plastic surgeon who specializes in male breast reduction and other similar body contouring procedures.

Before & Aftercare

Take your time choosing your surgeon, as this important decision will affect the aesthetic results you will achieve. If you are a good candidate and decide to have gynecomastia surgery, then your journey will begin with an initial consultation appointment with the surgeon you choose to work with.

Use this meeting to discuss your questions and concerns about the surgery one-on-one with your doctor. Make sure that you understand the details of the surgery, the results that are possible, and what your options are if the results are not as expected.

The surgeon will examine your chest to assess breast size and shape. Nipple size and position, areola diameter, skin elasticity, and other relevant variables will be noted. Confidential pictures will be taken for the doctor to use during preoperative planning and for before and after comparisons.

If no additional testing is necessary, the cosmetic procedure will be scheduled. Grade I gynecomastia surgery can typically be performed using a local anesthesia agent and/or intravenous sedative drugs. Grades II-IV normally requires the use of general anesthesia to achieve total unconsciousness for the patient during the surgery.

After the removal of excess breast tissue has been completed, the small incision sites are closed with dissolvable sutures, and then covered with a coating of surgical glue that forms a sterile barrier against pathogens.

Most gynecomastia patients can return to normal non-strenuous activities, including light-duty work, after 3-5 days. Strenuous activities should be avoided for 4-6 weeks, depending on various patient-specific healing factors, including nutrition, hydration, and state of health.

Recovery From Gynecomastia Surgery

Compression garments may be recommended in addition to the bandaging that is used to cover the incisions. Surgical fluid drains are not usually needed except for in Grade IV cases.

The surgeon will prescribe pain medications, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories, as needed to help expedite recovery. Homeopathic remedies like ice packs or hot water bottles may also help to control postoperative symptoms like bleeding, pain, swelling, and bruising.

The surgeon’s staff will provide you with detailed instructions about caring for yourself at home after the surgery. You will come back to see the doctor for follow-up appointments during the first week, the first month, and then after several months to make sure that your recovery is progressing as it should be.

The Takehome Message

Millions of men develop low self-confidence and begin to avoid social interaction because of their enlarged breasts tissue. Gynecomastia surgery can help to improve self-image and restore the desire to get out and interact with others. Many men find that they are more sexually confident after this breast reduction procedure and report that they have renewed sexual prowess and confidence.

The outpatient procedure typically employs a dual approach of tissue excision and liposuction to achieve the desired results. In most men, it causes little downtime or loss of work, 3-5 days is normal. However, full recovery can take up to 6 weeks, depending on the patient’s health state, diet, water intake, and adherence to aftercare instructions.

Bleeding, bruising, inflammation, and some pain are expected after male breast reduction surgery. However, serious adverse side effects are rare, and most men report being satisfied with the results they can achieve.