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Gynecomastia
(Male Breast Reduction)

Gynecomastia, or the overdevelopment of male breasts, is a condition that affects more men than people realize.

Gynecomastia is common during adolescence due to the effects of hormones. At this stage in life, treatment is generally not necessary, as the breast fullness will typically spontaneously resolve after a year or two. Later in life gynecomastia tends to be permanent and can lead to severe self-esteem and confidence issues. In these cases, surgery is usually the only option for solving the problem.

Many men experience “pseudogynecomastia”, which refers to enlarged male breasts caused by excess fat tissue alone, this problem may be improved by lifestyle changes or liposuction alone. True gynecomastia requires the removal of breast gland tissue as well as excess fat.

Male breast reduction is an effective surgery for reducing the volume of breast tissue in men and re-contouring the chest for a more masculine appearance. Fat, breast gland tissue, and excess skin are removed, recontoured, and tightened for a smooth appearance to the chest.

Gynecomastia Consultation

During your consultation with our experienced plastic surgeons at our Atlanta, Georgia office, you will discuss your concerns about your chest contour and go over your options for male breast reduction surgery. Depending on the severity of your condition, our surgeon may recommend different approaches to surgery to get you optimal results using the most minimally-invasive techniques possible.

You will get the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your procedure, and you will also learn more about the surgery and recovery process. Our expert staff will ensure that you are a good candidate for the surgery and make sure you know the benefits and risks of the procedure before you decide to move forward.

Gynecomastia Candidates

The best candidates for male breast reduction are healthy adult men who have enlarged breasts that have persisted over time and cause embarrassment, shame, and self-esteem issues. Men who smoke are encouraged to quit before the surgery, and anyone considering male breast surgery should have realistic expectations about the results of the procedure. In order to maintain results, patients will need to avoid any medications or substances that could trigger breast re-growth and keep their weight stable following surgery.

Gynecomastia Procedure

Gynecomastia surgery is performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. The procedure usually takes about an hour or two to complete, depending on the amount of tissue to be removed. For many men, liposuction of the chest is all that is needed to produce good results, and this is performed through small incisions.

If breast tissue needs to be excised, a small, semicircular incision will be required in the areola (skin surrounding the nipple) so that breast tissue can be removed while leaving the smallest scar possible. If excess skin needs to be removed and tightened as well, this will be performed through additional incisions before they are closed.

Gynecomastia Recovery

Initial male breast reduction recovery time takes about 1-2 weeks on average. During this time, patients will want to take it easy, and must avoid strenuous activity to facilitate healing and prevent complications. During the first few weeks, a compression vest will be worn to help the skin retract and prevent fluid accumulation from occurring. Substantial swelling and some bruising are to be expected during this time, and any pain can be controlled with prescribed medication.

After the first one or two weeks, patients can begin to resume some normal activities, such as returning to work and light exercise, though each surgeon will give instructions according to each patient’s unique case. Bruising and swelling will resolve gradually until final results can be seen over the months following surgery. Final results should be apparent by 6 months post-operatively.

Gynecomastia FAQs
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