Gynaecomastia Surgery

Many men have a chest or upper body that is flabby or fatty, but in some men the problem is worse - the breasts are enlarged and full. This is a condition known as gynecomastia. Men with enlarged breasts are sometimes mocked for being effeminate. Man boobs or moobs, i.e., prominent breasts in men, can therefore be a source of great anxiety and stigma, especially when the affected individual is at the beach or pool, in locker rooms, or anywhere where they might take their shirt off. The shame can get to the point that it starts affecting the quality of life in terms of clothes a person can wear and activities they can participate in.

If you or someone you know is struggling with enlarged male breasts or prominence in the chest area, you should know that gynecomastia (enlarged breasts in men) are more common than you'd imagine. Roughly 30% of men are affected by it at some point in their lifetime, especially during periods of change such as puberty or in the 50s and 60s. However, gynecomastia does not have to be a source of shame or embarrassment. Male breast reduction surgery is a procedure that can help reduce the breast size in men and achieve a more flat and masculine chest contour.

What is gynecomastia? What causes it?

As mentioned, gynecomastia is a condition in which there are overdeveloped or enlarged breasts in men with or without skin redundancy. It can occur at any age as a result of weight gain, hormonal changes, or heredity. Some medications can cause gynecomastia as a side effect, for example, anabolic steroids.

Gynecomastia is characterized by the presence of excess fat, glandular breast tissue, and extra skin in the chest. It usually affects both breasts, but it can occasionally be present on one side only with a noticeable asymmetry between the two breasts. Untreated gynecomastia can impact a man's self-confidence and affect intimate relationships. Surgical procedures like male breast reduction can help address the problem.

How can I tell if I have gynecomastia?

If you are embarrassed about how your chest looks but you're not sure whether you have gynecomastia, a doctor can examine you and tell you for sure.

Usually, men with gynecomastia are able to feel a firm, mobile mound of tissue under the nipple and areola (the colored skin surrounding the nipple). The area can be tender to touch.

When you examine your chest with your fingers, if you feel a fixed, hard mass, or if you have nipple discharge or enlarged nodes in the neck or underarms, you should get this checked out as soon as possible. These signs and symptoms can potentially be male breast cancer. Doctors can rule out breast cancer with a mammogram (imaging study) and other tests.

What is male breast reduction surgery?

Male breast reduction is a surgical treatment to correct gynecomastia. It is a cosmetic surgery that involves the chest being treated with liposuction to remove excess fatty tissue. It also involves surgical removal of excess glandular tissue through an areolar incision to give the chest a more manly contour. Gynecomastia surgery is the most effective treatment for man boobs or male breasts. It can restore a naturally masculine appearance to the chest with a quick procedure that is associated with a relatively short recovery time and virtually invisible scars.

Why have a male breast reduction?

In some men, losing weight can help reduce the appearance of prominent breast tissue. However, if the breast enlargement is on account of excess glandular tissue, then even men who are at a healthy weight can have noticeable breast enlargement. In such patients, male breast reduction surgery can be a long-lasting or permanent treatment for gynecomastia.

As noted, gynecomastia surgery can restore a flatter, firmer, more masculine appearance to the chest in men. This can greatly enhance self-confidence and self-esteem, especially when going shirtless. It can allow men who are embarrassed by their "man boobs" to participate in all activities without shame. The plastic surgery can allow a man to lead the life he wants without making any lifestyle changes because of the gynecomastia.

Am I a good candidate for male breast reduction?

If you are ashamed about the appearance of your chest and find yourself avoiding going shirtless or participating in certain activities because you don't want to show your chest, you are potentially a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery. A qualified cosmetic surgeon can examine you and determine if you are an appropriate candidate for the procedure.

In general, healthy men who are at a normal weight and are nonsmokers are good candidates for male breast reduction plastic surgery.

Can gynecomastia be treated with liposuction?

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that is used to remove fat from specific areas of the body, including the breasts. Cosmetic surgeons use liposuction as one of the techniques during a male breast reduction procedure. The surgery additionally involves tissue excision, i.e., removal of glandular tissue and excess skin through one or more incisions in the chest. Various techniques are available for skin excision, including techniques that can achieve increased skin contraction.

Liposuction alone can also be used to treat gynecomastia in patients with less severe breast enlargement, i.e., patients who do not have too much excess skin or excess breast gland tissue. The surgeon can do the liposuction procedure through small incisions in the armpit or along the edge of the areola. With liposuction, the surgeon can remove excess fat and sculpt the chest into a flatter, more manly contour.

Preparing for your gynecomastia procedure

Consultation

You will first have a consultation with a plastic surgeon or cosmetic surgeon in the office. At this time, the doctor will examine you and obtain complete information about any underlying health conditions. This is necessary to determine if you are an appropriate patient for male breast reduction.

Examination

The surgeon will examine your chest and check skin elasticity. They will take measurements of your chest as well photographs. The doctor will discuss your surgical options and describe the operation to you in detail, including potential risks and complications. If you have a question about the condition or the procedure, your surgeon will be happy to answer it.

Preparation

In preparation for the male breast reduction procedure, you may need to get some laboratory testing completed. Your surgeon will advise you about stopping certain medications for a few days (aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs can increase the risk of bleeding). You should stop smoking before the surgery to avoid wound healing complications. You will have to arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery. If you are having the procedure with general anesthesia, you will receive instructions to stop eating and drinking 6-8 hours before on the night before the surgery.

Gynecomastia procedure details

Anesthesia

Your surgeon will give you anesthesia to keep you comfortable during the procedure. Gynecomastia surgery can be done with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. Your surgeon will choose the best option for you.

Liposuction

The procedure itself involves removal of excess fat through liposuction. This is achieved through small cannulas (thin, hollow tubes) that are moved back and forth to loosen the fat and then suction it out.

Tissue Excision

In patients with excess glandular tissue, the surgeon may use an excision technique to correct the gynecomastia. This involves making an areolar incision to remove excess skin and glandular tissue. Nipple grafting (repositioning of the nipple) may be done to give the chest a natural male contour.

Depending on the type of correction necessary, the surgeon may perform a combination of liposuction and excision.

Aftercare and recovery

After your gynecomastia surgery, you will have bandages or dressings on your chest. Your surgeon will advise you to wear a compression garment or elastic bandage to support the tissues while they heal and minimize swelling. The surgeon may leave a small tube called a drain in place for a few days to allow excess fluid and blood to drain out.

Your doctor will give you specific instructions on caring for the surgical site, including medications to take by mouth or apply to the wounds to reduce the risk of infection.

With time, the post-surgical swelling will subside and the incision lines will become less visible. The scars may always be visible but will fade over time. Surgeons do their best to place the incision in the natural contours of the chest.

The total recovery process is 3-6 months for most gynecomastia patients. Your confidence will grow as you recover from the surgery and experience satisfaction with your new chest contour.

Limitations and risks

Like all surgical procedures, gynecomastia surgery also carries some risk of side effects, including anesthesia risks, bleeding, blood clot formation, and infection. There is also a small chance that you could end up with breast asymmetry or be unhappy with the final breast contour and shape. One of the side effects of the surgery can be changes in nipple and skin sensation, which may be temporary or permanent. Rarely, damage to deeper structures can occur, including the blood vessels, nerves, and muscles. Fat necrosis (death of fatty tissue) and seroma (fluid accumulation) are other potential gynecomastia surgery complications. There can occasionally be scarring or poor wound healing. There can be persistent pain in a small number of patients. The possibility of requiring a revision surgery is also present.

Is it worth getting gynecomastia surgery?

If man boobs are affecting your self-esteem heavily and negatively impacting your quality of life, gynecomastia surgery is definitely worth considering. It is a quick procedure with minimal scarring and permanent results. Patients who undergo this treatment experience increased self-confidence as a result of a more masculine appearance of their chest.

Is gynecomastia surgery safe?

Gynecomastia is a treatable condition. The surgery is a safe and effective way to get rid of excess breast tissue and achieve a more toned and manly appearance of the chest.

Is gynecomastia surgery painful?

The surgery is performed with anesthesia so it is not painful. You will likely experience some discomfort in the days following gynecomastia surgery. Pain medication can help manage any discomfort during the recovery period.

Can breast tissue grow back after gynecomastia surgery?

Yes, breast tissue can grow back after male breast reduction treatment. However, recurrence rates are low and the chances of breast tissue growing back after the surgery are slim. Nearly 90% of patients do not experience any return of gynecomastia after the procedure.

How long will the results last?

Breast reduction results are visible immediately and are permanent in most patients. However, in a small number of patients the gynecomastia can come back after treatment. Weight gain, in particular, can lead to the reappearance of male breasts. If the gynecomastia was originally the result of certain medications or drugs like anabolic steroids, you must stay free of these substances to maintain the results of the surgery.

How much does gynecomastia surgery cost?

In most cases, male breast reduction treatment is deemed to be a cosmetic procedure and is not eligible for insurance coverage. The average cost of male breast reduction procedure is $4,000 but the cost can vary depending on your geographical location and the skill and experience of your plastic surgeon. There may also be additional costs for anesthesia, hospital facilities, medical tests, post-surgery garments and medications, and other related expenses. Your plastic surgeon will give you a final quote before booking your surgery.

Choosing a qualified cosmetic surgeon

The MeTime app makes it easy to find qualified cosmetic and plastic surgeons in your area. You can click and upload pictures and have suggestions sent directly to you. Interested in learning if gynecomastia surgery is right for you? Try the MeTime app now!