Gynecomastia, also derisively called “man boobs” by some is a condition that causes male breasts to swell and become larger than normal. It can affect one or both breasts and can a toll on a male’s self-esteem. If you are a male and are unhappy with the way your chest looks and the way it makes you feel, there are options for treatment. Now is the time to arm yourself with information in order to find the right surgeon to help take care of the issue.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is not simply an abundance of fat in the chest area that liposuction can deal with effectively. Fat is just the half of it. The other half is the breast gland itself. Yes, men have glandular tissue in the chest that can respond to hormone changes and increase in size. In rare cases, the glandular tissue of the male breast can even develop breast cancer just as it can in women.
Surgery to correct gynecomastia is becoming more and more popular for men. However, in monitoring question-and-answer sites like RealSelf.com, it is evident that men are reporting disappointing results from their surgery. To properly address gynecomastia, attention must be paid to both the fatty and glandular components of the condition. Liposuction alone can address the fat, but liposuction alone will not completely treat gynecomastia. The glandular component must also be removed to give satisfying results.
When meeting with a surgeon, ask him or her what the plan is to deal with the glandular tissue. The gland must be directly removed to completely treat gynecomastia. Typically, this entails an incision along the lower half of the nipple/areola complex (NAC). This allows access to the glandular tissue to be directly removed. The problem is, it can leave the NAC looking “operated on”. Effective, aesthetic treatment of true gynecomastia requires an experienced surgeon that is Board Certified by the Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Why Choose Dr. Delgado for Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
Dr. Delgado is a board-certified plastic surgeon and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He has treated gynecomastia patients and all types of male breast enlargement for over 30 years and is dedicated to supporting adolescents and men across the globe. He aims to establish leading professional standards in gynecomastia care and treatment.
Schedule a Consultation
For personalized information about gynecomastia plastic surgery procedures, please complete Dr. Delgado’s inquiry form. Take the first step toward treating your gynecomastia today!
Gynecomastia FAQs
What Causes Excess Male Breast Tissue in Men?
There is an array of possible causes of gynecomastia, including hormonal imbalance, certain medications, thyroid disease, liver disease, alcoholism, adrenal tumors, anabolic steroids, and more.
Does Gynecomastia Cause Breast Pain?
Men and boys with gynecomastia can experience breast pain or sensitivity.
What is Drug Induced Gynecomastia?
This occurs when gynecomastia is the result of taking certain drugs or medications. Once a patient stops the medication that is the cause, gynecomastia may resolve on its own.
Who is at a Greater Risk to Develop Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is usually triggered by an imbalance in the hormones testosterone and estrogen. It is most often seen in newborn male babies, adolescent boys during puberty, and older men once their testosterone levels begin to decrease.
Being a parent, it is my responsibility to teach my kids to be confident and that confidence isn’t all about outward appearance. I am personally not a proponent of aesthetic plastic surgery for minors. But as a father of boys, I feel very empathetic towards boys and young men with gynecomastia. Breast reduction surgery is the only plastic surgery I perform on minors. If my boys are ever candidates for this procedure and have the desire, I would fully support their decision, even as teens, to have gynecomastia surgery.
About Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia, sometimes referred to derisively as ‘man-boobs’, is endemic in the United States. While gynecomastia can be associated with excess body fat and obesity, many males I see for gynecomastia reduction surgery are not overweight. They simply have experienced the spontaneous proliferation of fibrous breast tissue on one or both sides of their chest, for reasons that medical science currently cannot fully explain. It has been found that some medications such as anti-anxiety medications, some antibiotics, certain heart medications, cancer treatments, anabolic steroids (which can lead to hormonal imbalance), and more. In these cases, the dosing of the medication may need to be adjusted or the medication stopped altogether.
For younger boys and teens that are living with gynecomastia, the issue of excess breast tissue can create a vicious cycle of self-consciousness and social withdrawal. With breast area enlargement due to excess glandular tissue, a boy can gradually become insecure about his appearance without a shirt or even in tighter clothing (such as workout clothing). In these situations, I have seen males begin to avoid social situations in which their chest appearance is obvious (the gym, the pool, pickup games), and sometimes come to avoid sporting activities altogether. This can potentially damage their psychosocial development and has a profoundly negative effect on their sense of well-being and quality of life.
An Increase In Gynecomastia Cases
There are many theories as to why there has been such a dramatic increase in the incidence of gynecomastia over the last few decades. Some believe it is because of the increase of pro-estrogenic hormones and chemical compounds such as antibiotics in meat and dairy products, and/or chemicals that we are exposed to in the environment (building materials, flame retardants, pesticides, etc.). No one can be absolutely certain what has caused the significant increase in gynecomastia, but I see enough gynecomastia patients with a normal body weight to know for certain that it is not simply due to the rising incidence of obesity.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon, I have experience performing many different plastic surgery procedures. I have noticed that Gynecomastia patients are among the happiest with their results. They are not only pleased with their more masculine chest appearance after male breast reduction surgery but also become more confident socially. The outcome of gynecomastia surgery can be truly life-changing, with young men immediately more socially confident and more socially active.
One very grateful set of parents recently shared with me that their son, who would never even remove his shirt around his family in the privacy of their home, was so happy with his improved appearance that he was frequently shirtless around the house, was back to hanging out with his buddies at the pool and was thinking of trying out for soccer for the upcoming school year. This kind of story is very typical of an adolescent male patient who has undergone gynecomastia surgery.
Gynecomastia Treatment
If you or your son is struggling with the excess tissue on his breasts, please do not hesitate to reach out to me today. I have ample experience performing minimally invasive male breast reduction surgery as well as other gynecomastia surgery techniques to correct the symptoms associated with gynecomastia. During this procedure, I will remove the enlarged male breast glands, as well as contour the chest area to achieve a more masculine-looking, sculpted chest.
Schedule a Gynecomastia Surgery Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction surgery) to improve the appearance of the male chest, contact my office today. I will be happy to speak with you about your male breast concerns and goals during a male breast reduction surgery consultation.
Gynecomastia specialists’ see too often the cases of male breast reduction done by less experienced surgeons. Many gynecomastia revision cases are necessary because the primary surgeon removed too much fat and tissue leaving a “crater deformity,” or in some cases, not removing enough tissue. A large percentage of revision cases are due to liposuction alone being performed, and there is breast tissue left behind.
How many cases does the surgeon do in a year? It should be in the hundreds.
There should be available an extensive photo gallery of before and after surgery.
Custom Plan For Your Body Type
Gynecomastia surgery is very complex; each patient needs to have a surgery plan based on their unique case. For example, bodybuilders do not need removal of excess fat or skin. However, they can be at a higher risk for bleeding due to an increase in blood flow in the chest muscles that are highly developed.
What to Avoid
Beware of advertised discounts and specials on surgery fees. Specialists have devoted many years to perfecting their skills. Specialists are in high demand; they do not need to “reduce” their fees to attract new patients. Unless they should get an unavoidable cancellation, you may find that you have to wait a few months to get on their surgery schedule. But it will be worth the wait, avoid the possibility of gynecomastia revision surgery which will compromise your results and add additional fees. Remember you get what you pay for.
Breast asymmetry is unevenness of the breasts, meaning one breast is larger than the other breast. In men, gynecomastia may present in one breast known as unilateral, or gynecomastia may be present in both breast, known as bilateral. The most common gynecomastia diagnosis is when it occurs in both breast at different degrees, this is known as bilateral asymmetry. Glandular tissue can affect the appearance of the size and shape of the breast. The glandular tissue in combination with the breast tissue can change the appearance of the breast, including larger areola in diameter as well as protrusion.
In many cases, men that are suffering with gynecomastia develop insecurities. The insecurities can often lead to low Self Esteem, Depression and social anxiety. This can often interfere with their personal relationships, or in some cases, their day to day relationships.
No two breast are the same. In both men and women, breast will differ in size and shape. In most cases difference is slight and not noticeable to the eye. The degree of the asymmetry can vary in each individual. A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon will do an exam on the patient to determine if they are a candidate as well as determine the asymmetry of the gynecomastia. A procedure plan must be discussed between the individual and the surgeon prior to having surgery.
The asymmetry conditions can often be corrected to some degree in surgery. It is important to be informed of the realistic expectations from the surgery. Individuals should feel that they have been fully informed and educated by their Plastic Surgeon.
Gynecomastia Correction surgery includes removing both the glandular tissue as well as the fatty breast tissue. When removing the breast tissue, this gives the surgeon the opportunity to equal out the symmetry of the breast. This may include removing more tissue from the larger breast to create the same measurements as the smaller breast. This will give an overall appearance of even and symmetric breast.
Do your research on your surgeon, inquire on how many procedures they have performed and look at before and after photos. Realistic expectations are important. However, the most important thing is patient safety and satisfaction. It is highly recommended that you have a “Board Certified Plastic Surgeon”.
As potential patients research all the pros and cons of male breast reduction surgery, there is one issue in particular that comes up from time to time. It is discussed extensively on the forums of this site, and that is the concern of the loss of nipple sensation.
Permanent loss of nipple sensation after gynecomastia surgery is possible although rare, but needs to be considered as a surgical risk. For some men, it may be a deal breaker, and for others the tradeoff is worth it, to be rid of their “man boobs.”
The degree of injury will depend on the extent of surgery and the technique used. Nerves regenerate slowly, depending on the amount of breast tissue that is removed. It is normal for the nipples to be hypersensitive or to lose sensation. This is usually temporary with sensation returning in a few weeks to a few months.
The temporary loss of sensation or numbness is known as neurapraxia and is caused by stretching or compression of the nerves during surgery. It is considered a mild injury with full recovery likely. As sensation starts to return and the nerves begin to regenerate the patient may feel pins and needles which are referred to as dysesthesia/paresthesia. This is a normal condition during the healing process.
After about three weeks into your recovery, gentle massage may help to reduce hypersensitivity, but this should be done only under the direction of your surgeon.
Avoiding complications after gynecomastia surgery is a goal of all surgeons. With careful planning, most complications can be minimized or avoided altogether. Most gynecomastia surgeons believe in the use of drains and the wearing of a compression vest after surgery.
Drains are an effective measure against the accumulation of fluid in the “dead space” left from the excision of breast tissue. The accumulation of clear serous fluid is referred to as a seroma. If left untreated, a seroma can interfere with healing and possibly lead to an infection with swelling and can be painful. Drains collapse the “dead space,” evacuate the fluids and create a negative pressure to the cavity encouraging it to close down.
The drains have tubes that carry the fluids from the surgical site through a tiny incision in the armpit and empty into a small plastic bulb by negative pressure. Then dressings are applied and the placement of a compression vest. Usually within 2 to 3 days will be the first post-operative visit and at that time the drains most likely will be removed. The compression vest is only to be removed when the patient takes a shower and is to be kept in place for 6 weeks. The use of drains reduces the chances of a seroma greatly by removing fluids as they collect.
If drains are not used, needle aspiration will need to be done every few days until the cavity is collapsed, but the healing will be prolonged and is very inconvenient for the patient. Dr. Miguel Delgado has been using drains for his gynecomastia patients for over 25 years with minimal incidence of complications. Dr. Delgado has designed a compression vest that has built-in pockets for the bulbs to rest in, instead of being attached with safety pins.
