What is male gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia affects men of any body type, fitness level and age. This condition causes enlargement of the breasts, including the glandular tissue and fatty deposits on the chest. Gynecomastia can occur as a result of weight gain, medications, hormones, certain illicit substances, or genetics. This condition may adversely affect self-confidence and body image.
Enlarged male breasts results from either be gynecomastia or pseudo-gynecomastia. Two types of tissue are found in breasts: fatty tissue and glandular tissue. Gynecomastia is accumulation of extra glandular (breast) tissue. Pseudo-gynecomastia is the accumulation of excess fatty tissue. While medical therapy or lifestyle modification may be helpful in select cases, the mainstay of treatment for true gynecomastia is surgery.
Male gynecomastia surgery removes excess fat and / or breast tissue, helping to contour the male chest, leaving men with tighter upper bodies and a more proportional physique. In severe cases additional skin tightening procedures may need to be performed to provide the best chest contours. The highly experienced surgeons at Optum Plastic Surgery use their surgical artistry to give you a natural, masculine chest. You can trust us to provide personalized, compassionate care.
What are the benefits?
After gynecomastia surgery at Optum Plastic Surgery in New York, you can expect:
- Improvement in body image and self-confidence
- A more masculine, sculpted appearance to the chest
- Better-fitting clothing
Who is the ideal candidate?
Generally, any male who is bothered by their enlarged or sagging breast tissue is a candidate for gynecomastia surgery. The ideal candidate is physically healthy, a non-smoker, and is of stable weight.
What can I expect from recovery?
After gynecomastia surgery, you can expect soreness, bruising, and swelling. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication to help ease the discomfort. You will wear a compression garment over your chest to decrease swelling, pain and promote healing. Your surgeon will follow your progress, and you may resume regular, everyday activity once your chest is healed, typically within 4-6 weeks.
What options and techniques are available?
The treatment technique is based on the degree and type of tissue growth. Liposuction alone may be indicated if only fatty tissue is present, but glandular tissue will need to be directly excised through an incision placed around the areola. In more extreme cases, skin tightening and possible areolar grafting may be necessary in order to achieve an ideal chest contour.
Liposuction
If only fatty tissue deposits are present and there is no skin laxity, liposuction alone may be advisable. This is performed through multiple small incisions (3-4mm) placed throughout the chest. A liposuction cannula is then be placed through these incisions to suck out extra fat. Postoperative compression is advised for a minimum of 3 months post procedure
Periareolar incisions
When glandular tissue is the cause of chest enlargement, direct excision is indicated as this tissue is too dense to be removed with liposuction alone. This is performed through a larger (2-3cm) incision strategically placed within the borders of the areola. Liposuction may also be performed simultaneously for chest contouring.
Mastectomy with nipple grafting
In extreme cases where significant skin tightening is necessary, a mastectomy with nipple grafting may be warranted. This involves placing a larger incision along the lower border of the pectoralis major muscle and translocating the nipple-areolar complex to a new position.
Frequently asked questions
How is gynecomastia surgery typically performed?
In cases of very mild gynecomastia, the extra breast tissue / fat may be removed with liposuction alone. Most commonly the extra breast tissue is removed through a combination of liposuction and direct surgical excision through a small incision disguised within the areola.
What are the risks associated with gynecomastia surgery?
In addition to the general risks of cosmetic surgery including unpredictable scaring, infection, asymmetry and bleeding, some specific risks of gynecomastia surgery include contour irregularities of the chest wall and decrease or loss of sensation of the nipple / areola.
What results can I expect after gynecomastia surgery?
Patients can expect a flatter chest wall with restoration of masculine contours and physique. Final results should be expected 3-6 months after surgery.
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