Gynecomastia is a common condition in men, but it often brings a lot of concern about appearance, leading them to seek options for treatment.
If you understand the condition and want to learn about treatment options, you can check out our male plastic surgery options. Otherwise, this guide will outline how male surgery can help treat gynecomastia.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a condition where swelling occurs in boys’ and men’s breasts that causes them to be larger than a typical size. It’s colloquially known as ‘man boobs’ and is widespread with men, especially those in their teenage and older years.
The condition is usually identified where there is extra tissue around the nipple of a single or both breasts. Occasionally, men will feel some tenderness and pain if they have gynecomastia, but this symptom is not exclusive.
Causes of gynecomastia include:
- Obesity
- Hormonal imbalances
- Puberty
- Aging
- Side effects of medicine or substance abuse
So why do men turn to male surgical options to address their gynecomastia?
Why Do Men Get Gynecomastia Surgery?
Most gynecomastia cases tend to resolve themselves, but there are instances where underlying conditions may retain the swelling in breasts. Men often feel concerned about the disparity in their physical appearance and seek treatments for gynecomastia should the breasts not reduce over time.
Men with larger breasts than average will feel less confident because of their appearance and want to achieve a more balanced, aesthetically pleasing look by getting a reduction. Various courses of action, including non-surgical and surgical, are usually recommended after the following:
The gynecomastia hasn’t reduced after an extended time
- The condition isn’t responding to other treatments
- There is significant discomfort because of gynecomastia
Physicians may recommend medications to address hormone imbalances and breast tissue growth. However, if initial treatments don’t resolve the swelling, there are surgical options to reduce the size of male breasts.
So how does surgery help with the condition?
How Does Surgery Help with Gynecomastia?
Men who seek surgical options for gynecomastia have sizable or irritable breasts. Surgery is a more dramatic option to address the swelling. Still, it usually is a quick and effective remedy to achieve the desired appearance.
Gynecomastia surgery involves either the reduction of breast fat or the removal of breast gland tissue. Men interested in the procedure will have an initial consultation with a plastic surgeon who will understand the circumstances more and recommend the best course of action.
So let’s understand more about the surgical options for gynecomastia.
What are the Surgical Options for Gynecomastia?
The two main options for gynecomastia are liposuction and mastectomy. Your plastic surgeon will perform a thorough exam before recommending the next step to ensure no complications, such as male breast cancer.
Learn more about each surgical treatment for gynecomastia below.
Liposuction
Liposuction is a popular surgical option to reduce pockets of fat in areas prone to add disparity to body image. The procedure is used for gynecomastia, where there is excess fat around men’s breasts that cause them to swell.
The surgeon will then make an incision into the breast to remove fat but not directly address the gland tissue. Recovery usually takes 7-10 days before the patients can resume their typical daily routine.
Mastectomy
A mastectomy is a breast surgery that involves removing the breast gland tissue rather than the fat. It’s considered a less invasive procedure as it’s accomplished by making small incisions into the breast to remove the tissue.
A mastectomy is less invasive with less recovery time. Surgery will usually take 1.5 hours, involving cuts around the nipple to extract the breast tissue and repositioning the nipple if there is excessive tissue to be removed.
Sometimes, a surgeon will use a combination of the two gynecomastia methods where men have exceptionally larger breasts.
How Do I Choose a Surgeon for Gynecomastia?
Selecting a competent plastic surgeon and experience in male surgeries is essential to ensure the success of addressing gynecomastia. Consider the following when researching a professional for the treatment:
- Inquire about qualifications and experience with male surgeries
- Ask about previous successes with male breast reduction
- Have there been any complications for prior patients?
- How satisfied are previous gynecomastia clients?
If you want to learn more, you can start your search with a seasoned professional defined below.
Talk with a Surgeon About Male Surgery and Gynecomastia Treatment
Dr. Baumholtz of Baumholtz Plastic Surgery regularly performs male plastic surgery in San Antonio, TX, including treatments for gynecomastia. Should you be concerned about the size of your breasts and want a more pleasing appearance, schedule a consultation to learn more about your options.