Should I Worry About my Male Breasts? Dr. Miguel Delgado, M.D. recommends that men seek a professional evaluation from a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in gynecomastia if they feel tenderness, pain or have swelling of their breasts. If it is determined that the patient has gynecomastia, caused by fat and breast tissue, no treatment will be required unless the condition is causing psychological distress, in which case surgery may be recommended.
When the surgeon is trying to find the cause of male breast abnormalities some questions asked will be:
• What age did your breasts first develop?
• Are your breasts tender or painful?
• What, if any, supplements do you take?
• Are you now or ever have been on steroids?
• How much alcohol do you consume per day?
• Are you taking any legal or illegal drugs?
Further questioning might be:
• Does anyone in your family have or had breast cancer?
• Do you have Hodgkin’s Lymphoma or Klinefelter’s Syndrome?
• Do you have prostate cancer being treated with estrogen?
Depending on your surgeon’s assessment, he/she might want you to see an endocrinologist for further testing.
Both men and women have male and female hormones with their own gender dominate. However, if men should have an increase in estrogen throwing their hormones out of balance, they might start to develop breasts.
The incidence of breast cancer in men is about 1 out of 1,000, and while it is rare, it can occur. The onset of breast cancer in men is usually between the ages of 60 and 70. Symptoms you need to watch for are:
• A lump or fast growing mass on either breast
• Nipple discharge
• Rash on either nipple
If breast cancer is not detected early enough, it can spread to the lymph nodes. Men are less likely than women to get an early diagnosis and therefore when it is discovered it usually is much more advanced and serious.
The Silent Condition Gynecomastia, and I think that’s the biggest challenge. Those who suffer from it often hide it from the rest of the world, even from their closest family members. The symptoms can start as early as puberty. This leaves young men, maybe as young as adolescents, battling the condition on their own without much knowledge of what it is and how it can be treated.
The Silent Condition Gynecomastia: Silent Symptoms
In some cases, gynecomastia can be accompanied by mild breast pain and discomfort, but more often the symptoms are silent. Gynecomastia, on its own, it’s not life threatening unless it’s connected with other underlying health issues.
However, living with gynecomastia can have a strong, and often dangerous, psychological effect on the individual. This could be living with an unhealthy body image and the extreme measures that accompany it, social alienation and, in most cases, depression.
The Silent Condition Gynecomastia: Seeking Treatment
I can only treat those who walk into my clinic, but I hope to take my reach further and help other men suffering from gynecomastia. I hope when they search for advice online, these type of blogs help answer their questions. Ultimately I want to empower them to contact a doctor and ask about treatment options.
I know men with gynecomastia dread the idea of walking into a clinic for a gynecomastia consultation. It’s often the one thing that keeps them from seeking treatment – the idea of speaking to someone else about their condition.
What Happens During a Gynecomastia Consultation
The first goal is to confirm whether or not you have gynecomastia and try to pinpoint the cause. It’s a relaxed and confidential chat with the surgeon, at the clinic. After that, we will talk you through the treatment options, what to expect, recovery time and aftercare.
For personalized information about gynecomastia plastic surgery procedures, please complete Dr. Delgado’s inquiry form.
Liposuction is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures for fat removal. The main types are: tumescent, ultrasound, and laser assisted. Due to the demand for fat removal, there are multiple marketing gimmicks and catchy names for various liposuction methods.
“The Doctors” TV show recently had an episode featuring “BodyTite.” BodyTite combines liposuction with a special instrument that tightens skin using radio frequency energy. The advantage of tightening skin during male breast reduction surgery is ridding the patient of excess skin and avoiding the necessity of a secondary procedure. However, for “true gynecomastia,” surgical excision of breast tissue is required. Breast tissue is too dense to be removed successfully by a cannula.
Over 40% of Dr. Miguel Delgado’s gynecomastia practice is revision cases where other surgeons attempted male breast reduction by liposuction alone. Dr. Delgado does, however, use a technique for tightening skin during surgery where he applies controlled heat directly to the underlying skin.
Only in the case of “pseudo-gynecomastia” can liposuction alone be successful. Surgical excision combined with liposuction for fat removal and contouring remain the “gold standard” for male breast reduction.
When choosing your surgeon, be sure to find a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in gynecomastia.
For personalized information about gynecomastia plastic surgery procedures, please complete Dr. Delgado’s inquiry form.
Affecting at least 60% of all men at some time in their life is the development of female-type breasts, which is caused by a condition known as gynecomastia. The most prevalent time this occurs is the adolescent years as young men pass through puberty and experience hormonal changes. As their hormones are changing and the estrogen level is temporarily high, they may have what is referred to as “puffy nipples.” Fortunately for most, their gynecomastia will resolve on its own without any intervention. However, for some, if their chest is not back to normal after two years, it may be permanent, with gynecomastia surgery as the only effective option.
Gynecomastia Causes
Overall, there are many different factors that can cause gynecomastia or breast enlargement in males. The most common cause is a hormonal imbalance with estrogen levels being higher than testosterone levels, while certain medications may also lead to male breast enlargement. Anabolic steroids can also lead to gynecomastia, which is common among the bodybuilding community.
True Gynecomastia and Pseudo-Gynecomastia
True gynecomastia occurs when there is excess glandular tissue in the male breasts along with excess male breast tissue resulting in enlarged male breasts. Surgical treatment is often the best solution for true gynecomastia.
It is important to note that true gynecomastia should not be confused with false gynecomastia, or pseudo gynecomastia, which results in enlargement of the male breasts due to weight gain, excess fat, and fatty tissue on the body. The main cure for pseudo-gynecomastia is often weight loss.
Gynecomastia Grades
Gynecomastia can be divided into different grades to determine severity. These grades include:
Grade I: severity is mild with enlargement centered around the areola. At this grade, gynecomastia is usually not noticeable with clothing.
• Grade II: enlargement is moderate without excess skin past the areola. At this stage, gynecomastia can still be concealed with loose clothing.
• Grade III: enlargement is moderate with excess skin. At this point, the swelling of the breast tissue is moderate to severe, and is highly visible.
• Grade IV: significant enlargement with feminine-type breasts and excess skin. This is the most severe stage of gynecomastia.
The severity of the gynecomastia will determine how the male breast reduction surgery is to be performed. It is imperative to select a board-certified plastic surgeon that has extensive experience with gynecomastia.
For patients with mild to moderate gynecomastia, the less invasive “pull-through technique” procedure may be an option. For those with more severe gynecomastia, a “Two Stage Procedure” may be necessary in order to reduce the excess skin.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are tired of living with the symptoms of gynecomastia and are ready to make a change, contact Dr. Delgado in San Francisco today! Your first step will be to schedule a one on one consultation appointment to discuss your concerns and gynecomastia treatment options.
Gynecomastia in San Francisco FAQs
What is the most severe grade of gynecomastia?
The most severe grade of gynecomastia is grade 4, which involves severe levels of excess breast tissue and glandular tissue. This excess tissue will create a noticeable condition regardless of whether the patient is wearing a shirt.
What is the best treatment for Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia surgery is often the best way to treat gynecomastia. This surgical procedure is performed to correct moderate breast enlargement through the removal of excess glandular and fatty tissues.
Do all adolescent males experience gynecomastia?
No, not all adolescents will experience gynecomastia symptoms. However, most males do experience gynecomastia during their teen years as this is when their hormones are fluctuating.
Does gynecomastia cause breast pain?
For some males, gynecomastia can cause the breasts to be tender or painful to the touch.
So, you have put in the work and have finally shed that stubborn extra weight, congratulations! While you are now a healthier version of yourself, you may notice that you are left with excess skin and tissue on your body, including on your chest. This can result in the look of enlarged breasts, which some people call “man boobs“. Thankfully, gynecomastia surgery after weight loss is an effective solution to help you enjoy your new body without that excess tissue. Read on to learn more about what gynecomastia is, what to expect during surgery, and how this procedure can be especially beneficial after losing weight.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a common condition that causes an increase in breast tissue on the male chest. It is usually caused by hormonal changes or an imbalance in hormone levels, but may also be caused by certain medications, certain drugs, and the use of anabolic steroids. Surgical correction is often the best option for those who have not found success with other avenues.
What to Expect During Gynecomastia Surgery After Weight Loss
Gynecomastia surgery after weight loss requires the expertise of a board-certified gynecomastia specialist. There can be a large amount of skin, fat, and tissue after weight loss that requires special skills for reduction beyond the traditional male breast reduction surgery.
For some men, the 2 stage procedure is an excellent solution to remaining tissue and skin after weight loss. The first stage reduces the amount of skin and tissue by excision in a doughnut shape around the areola which is then closed with purse string-type sutures. The second stage can be done as an office procedure under local anesthesia.
The 2 stage procedure is not an option for some men with excessive amounts of skin to be removed. In order to achieve a more masculine chest, your surgeon will need to make incisions around the areola, and vertical to the breast crease, known as an inverted T or the anchor incision. This incision will leave visible scars, but most men are comfortable with the trade-off.
Gynecomastia After Weight Loss
After Gynecomastia Surgery
Unless the patient is prone to keloids or developing raised scars, the incision heals nicely. However, for those who end up with more visible scarring, there are several treatments today that can minimize the final result. A skilled gynecomastia surgeon will use deep suturing techniques to reduce tension on the skin.
Silicone sheeting has proved to be a good treatment once the incision has healed by keeping the skin hydrated. Steroid injections, massaging, and laser treatments are all possible treatments. For the most difficult scars, scar revision surgery may be needed.
Schedule a Consultation Appointment
For the best possible results, it is important that you seek out a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon to perform your male breast reduction surgery. With more than 30 years of success treating gynecomastia patients, you can feel confident that you are in good hands with Dr. Delgado. To learn more about gynecomastia surgery and if it is right for you, please contactDr. Delgado today to schedule a consultation appointment.
Gynecomastia Surgery FAQs
Is gynecomastia surgery a cosmetic surgery?
Yes, if a surgery is electively chosen for cosmetic reasons, it is considered a cosmetic procedure. Gynecomastia surgery falls under this umbrella.
Can obesity cause gynecomastia?
Those who are experiencing enlarged male breasts due to excess fatty tissue have what is known as pseudo-gynecomastia. Weight loss is an effective way for those who are overweight to reduce the size of their chest.
What can I expect during a consultation?
During a consultation, you will have a chance to speak with Dr. Delgado regarding your medical history and the reason for wanting to correct your gynecomastia. He will determine if you are an ideal candidate and then create a personalized treatment plan to help boost your self-confidence and overall sense of well-being.
