WHAT IS GYNECOMASTIA?
Gynecomastia refers to a surplus of breast gland tissue on the male chest. Although breast hypertrophy affects up to 70% of men to different extents in their lifetime, it causes significant physical and psychological discomfort. Body Aesthetic Center's male breast reduction procedure achieves three main goals:
- Removes excess fat and glandular tissue in the breasts
- Firms and flattens the chest for a traditionally masculine appearance
- Repositions and resizes the areola to match the new chiseled chest
GYNECOMASTIA IN MEN
Gynecomastia is characterized by swollen breast tissue in boys and men. This condition causes the male breasts to become enlarged and form what would be colloquially known as "man boobs." Gynecomastia usually occurs when a man's body produces more estrogen than testosterone, but it can also be caused by other conditions, steroids, or medications. If a man's breasts are enlarged due to fat accumulation and weight gain instead of a hormonal imbalance, this would be called "pseudogynecomastia." Males with pseudogynecomastia typically do not suffer from other symptoms aside from fatty breast tissue, whereas gynecomastia patients tend to experience these common complications:
- Tender or swollen breasts
- Heightened nipple sensitivity
- Diminished sex drive
Rarer symptoms of gynecomastia include:
- Itchiness in the nipple and armpit
- Secretion of blood from the nipple
- Discharge of fluid similar to breast milk
If you are experiencing these symptoms and complications, consult with your doctor to address the causes and best remediation options.
GYNECOMASTIA GRADES
The stages of gynecomastia
Grade I
Minor breast enlargement with localized tissue deposits concentrated around the areola.
Grade II
Moderate breast enlargement that surpasses the boundaries of the areola without skin excess.
Grade III
Moderate breast enlargement that surpasses the boundaries of the areola with minor skin excess.
Grade IV
Marked breast enlargement with noticeable skin excess and feminization of the breasts.
GYNECOMASTIA VS. FAT
Female-like breasts in men, informally known as “man boobs,” develop for various reasons. Gynecomastia, a form of male breast hypertrophy, is ordinarily caused by a hormonal imbalance. It is often confused with pseudogynecomastia, also known as fatty gynecomastia, which is fat accumulation in the chest. Both conditions enlarge men’s breasts and can occur to males of all ages. However, one sign of true gynecomastia is pain and sensitivity in the nipples.
Gynecomastia patients often report pain and discomfort when the firm mound of glandular tissue beneath the areola is touched; they also suffer from other symptoms that patients with pseudogynecomastia do not experience. Pseudogynecomastia patients have evenly enlarged breasts that can be remediated with weight loss or liposuction. In contrast, patients suffering from true gynecomastia have more projected breasts that can only be remediated by treating the cause and performing male breast reduction surgery to repair the damage.
GYNECOMASTIA SURGERY STEPS
The procedural steps of a male breast reduction, also known as gynecomastia surgery, vary depending on the patient's needs. Liposuction alone will remove chest fat in pseudogynecomastia patients. However, patients suffering from true gynecomastia must undergo a male breast reduction to streamline their chest; this procedure may include liposuction and an excision based on the severity of their breast hypertrophy.
Anesthesia
Gynecomastia surgery is performed under general anesthesia and does not require overnight hospitalization. Your vitals such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate will be monitored before, during, and after your male breast reduction procedure.
Liposuction
Liposuction alone successfully remediates pseudogynecomastia since it is caused by the overabundance of fatty tissue. The surgeon inserts a small tube, or cannula, into small incisions underneath the areolas to directly suction out excess fat from the breasts.
Excision
To correct gynecomastia, the surgeon creates small oval-shaped incisions on the lower half of the areolas and eliminates the glandular breast tissue beneath the nipple. Depending on its severity, surgical excisions and liposuction are used simultaneously.
Male Areola Reduction
A male breast reduction also includes areola reduction and repositioning. Since the procedure involves eliminating excess fat and tissue and tautening the skin to some degree, the areola must be reduced and rearranged to fit the new chest.
Recovery and Discharge
Gynecomastia surgery typically takes 1 to 2 hours to complete depending on the scope of work. You will be wheeled to Body Aesthetic Center’s state-of-the-art recovery center, where a licensed nurse will help ease you out of anesthesia before discharge.
MALE BREAST REDUCTION RECOVERY
The first week of recovery from gynecomastia surgery is usually the most challenging since pain and swelling peak in the first 48 hours. Your board-certified Miami Aesthetic surgeon will prescribe pain medication to alleviate discomfort. You should rest the first week after surgery and avoid bending or lifting your arms above your head. Other vigorous activities that increase blood pressure must be avoided for at least 2 weeks after surgery. Depending on the scope of your procedure, you may have a surgical drain for the first few days to help discharge the excess fluid and blood. It is essential to wear your compression vest 24/7 for the first month after gynecomastia surgery; it reduces swelling, maintains contours, and facilitates skin retraction. Most patients with a sedentary job can commence work after one week, but your gynecomastia surgeon will advise when it would be best for you to return if otherwise.
GYNECOMASTIA SURGERY RESULTS
Your final results after gynecomastia surgery will be fully apparent 3 to 6 months after the procedure. Your chest will appear trim and contoured once post-surgical swelling subsides, and your areolas will be lifted and possibly reduced to match your new chiseled chest. Gynecomastia surgery produces permanent results so long as you maintain your body weight and avoid consuming substances or medications that might trigger breast regrowth.
MALE BREAST REDUCTION CANDIDATES
Gynecomastia surgery candidates include males who are experiencing physical discomfort or unhappy with the appearance of their oversized breasts. Patients should be in good general health and not smoke, use marijuana, steroids, or consume excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages. While there is no set age or weight limit, the ideal male breast reduction candidate will be within his ideal weight range and have sufficient skin elasticity to undergo the procedure. While gynecomastia more commonly affects boys between 13 and 17, they usually outgrow it. Younger males may benefit from gynecomastia surgery, but secondary procedures may be necessary if breast development continues. Patients must commit to a healthy lifestyle to maintain their weight and avoid any medications or substances that could initiate breast regrowth following their reduction procedure.
MALE BREAST REDUCTION COST
AT Body Aesthetic Center
The cost of a male breast reduction ranges between $3,000 to $8,000USD at Body Aesthetic Center. Pricing depends on the patient’s needs; whether liposuction alone is required to remediate the chest or if surgery must be combined with liposuction for more extreme cases.
GYNECOMASTIA FAQS
Gynecomastia is caused by a hormonal imbalance, certain medications, steroids, or other health conditions. An imbalance of testosterone and estrogen more customarily characterizes it, but other factors may provoke this hormone imbalance and aggravate male breast growth. Specific factors that cause gynecomastia include:
- Hormonal changes during puberty and aging
- Thyroid problems
- Cancers affecting the pituitary or adrenal glands
- Kidney failure
- Liver disease
- Anti-anxiety drugs
- Heart medications
- Marijuana or heroin
- Anabolic steroids and androgens
While the causes of gynecomastia are often curable, male breast reduction surgery will treat the problem area to ensure the patient’s chest stays fully flat and chiseled.
While the surgeons at Body Aesthetic Center are skilled, experienced, and prioritize patient safety at all costs, a male breast reduction poses the same risks as any other surgical procedure. Some possible complications of gynecomastia surgery include (but are not limited to):
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia or drugs
- Blood clotting
- Excessive blood and fluid loss
- Numbness in the treatment area
- Friction burns
- Accumulation of fluid beneath the skin
- Changes in skin pigmentation
- Skin or nerve damage
Your Body by Unique surgeon will review your medical history and discuss possible risks of the procedure at your initial consultation. Our surgeons and medical staff provide every patient with personalized pre and post-surgical guidelines that they should follow diligently to minimize risk and ensure natural-looking results.
Gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia produce "man boobs" or a soft, breast-like appearance in the male chest. However, the feel of the breast and other symptoms will differ depending on the type of condition you have.
Pseudogynecomastia is also called "fatty gynecomastia" because it is characterized by fat accumulation in the chest and results in an evenly enlarged chest. In contrast, true gynecomastia appears less uniform, with a firm mound of glandular tissue rising from beneath the areola. Gynecomastia may cause other symptoms such as pain and swelling in the chest.
Gynecomastia can recur after surgery if the surgeon did not remove the glandular tissue entirely or if the underlying causes remain unaddressed after surgery. Regrowth is also possible for patients taking certain medications or abusing steroids, opioids, or alcohol.
Solutions such as hormone therapy or a low-estrogen diet are used to treat gynecomastia. Still, the quickest and most effective way to eliminate symptoms is to remove the extra tissue with gynecomastia surgery. A male breast reduction eliminates excess fat and tissue, compresses the chest, and includes an areola reduction to restore the appearance of the male chest.
Although your gynecomastia may not result from lifestyle choices, improving your diet and exercising regularly will best prepare your body for healing after your male breast reduction. We recommend eating more fruits and vegetables and ceasing alcohol consumption, smoking devices, and blood-thinning or anti-inflammatory drugs one month before surgery. Patients should also prepare loose clothing, bandages, and healthy pre-cooked meals and snacks. Despite this being a relatively noninvasive surgery, you will need a trusted friend or family member to drive you home and stay with you for the first 48 hours of recovery. Body Aesthetic Center will provide you with all the information you need beforehand to promote fast and easy healing.
Gynecomastia surgery, like any surgical procedure, will leave a scar. Nevertheless, scars are not easily visible and will fade after 6 months with a constant scar care routine. Body Aesthetic Center also offers laser treatments to reduce the appearance of scars more quickly.
Gynecomastia surgery scars are placed on the lower chest crease beneath the areola. The size of your male breast procedure scars depends on the amount of breast tissue present and your skin's elasticity. The more tissue that needs to be removed, the larger the scar will be. If your nipple is repositioned or resized during surgery, the scar will circle the areola but likely be hidden in its darker edge.
Gynecomastia developed during adolescence resolves itself over time as hormones level out. Otherwise, it is best treated with hormonal balancing and surgical intervention.
Exercise reduces fat on the chest and is a viable pseudogynecomastia solution. Exercise cannot, however, decrease the amount of glandular tissue caused by gynecomastia. Gynecomastia also causes puffy nipples that often require liposuction combined with a chest reduction. A male breast reduction is currently the only consistently effective treatment for gynecomastia that yields long-lasting results. If you're considering gynecomastia surgery, schedule a consultation with the board-certified surgeon of your choice at Body Aesthetic Center. Your male breast surgeon will develop a surgical plan to safely and efficiently flatten your chest and restore your male contours.