Addressing Gynecomastia With Male Breast Reduction Surgery

All men have glandular and fatty tissues in their breasts. They just typically have much less than women do.

But when there is abnormal or excess growth tissue, men can have breasts that begin to take on a more womanly appearance.

This condition is known as gynecomastia, which translates from the Greek for “woman-like breasts.” And up to 65% of middle-aged and older men struggle with some form of it.

Fortunately there’s male breast reduction surgery.

What Causes Gynecomastia?

It’s fairly common knowledge that men have higher levels of testosterone while women are dominated by estrogen. Testosterone controls typically male traits such as body hair and muscle mass. Estrogen is responsible for  female traits including breast growth.

Even so, females produce a small amount of testosterone and males produce a small amount of estrogen. When estrogen levels are too high in men and there’s an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone, it can cause gynecomastia.

While this discrepancy in hormones is the most common cause of gynecomastia, there are other conditions that can cause gynecomastia.

Certain injuries or diseases of the testicles can affect testosterone production and create an imbalance. Thyroid problems or certain glandular cancers can hinder proper sexual development. Obesity can result in higher estrogen production.

There are also a number of drugs which have gynecomastia as a side effect.

When Should Gynecomastia Be Treated?

Gynecomastia can occur naturally during different phases of a male’s life.

Over half of newborn boys are born with enlarged breasts. This is the result of being under the effects of estrogen from their mothers while in utero. In this case, gynecomastia resolves within two to three weeks.

Gynecomastia may show up again during puberty as hormone levels start to fluctuate in young men. If there is a surge of estrogen that counters the effects of testosterone, it can result in larger breasts. This usually resolves within six months to two years of the onset of puberty.

Finally, gynecomastia returns around mid-life and breast enlargement frequently peaks in men between 50 and 80. It is at this stage of life when male breast reduction surgery is most warranted.

Opting for Male Breast Reduction Surgery

It’s clear that excessive tissue in the chest isn’t limited to women.

The degree to which this happens to men though depends on a variety of factors including age, weight gain, and genetics. It is very often unresponsive to diet and exercise. This means that a man may have breasts while the rest of his body is toned and fit.

Men in this situation can benefit from male breast reduction surgery.

What Goes Into the Procedure

As we mentioned above, the breasts (on both men and women) consist of glandular tissue and fatty tissue. Glandular tissue is firm and dense, while fatty tissue is soft. The ratio between the two varies from person to person.

A man with gynecomastia could have too much of one of or both types of tissue.

In the case of excess fatty tissue, liposuction is the procedure of choice. This involves creating a 3- to 4- millimeter incision into which a small tube is inserted to “vacuum” out the excess fat.

For excess glandular tissue, the method is usually excision. An incision is made around the edge of the areola and excess tissue is cut out using a scalpel. Then the skin around the pectoral muscles is tightened to create a masculine physique.

In some cases, there may be a need for both excision and liposuction.

After the procedure, the patient may have to wear an elastic pressure garment for one to two weeks to help reduce any swelling. Within six weeks, he can return to his normal routine.

It’s important to note that prior to male breast reduction surgery, some lifestyle changes in diet and exercise may be necessary to ensure long-lasting results. These changes will also decrease the likelihood of male breast re-occurrence.

Are You Embarrassed by Gynecomastia?

If you’ve tried unsuccessfully to eliminate enlarged breasts and are tired of trying to hide them, then contact us today for a free consultation.

You’ll see how simple it is to restore an appealing, more masculine appearance to your upper body through male breast reduction surgery.

Don’t wait any longer.