Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia)

The Correction of Enlarged Male Breasts

Although this oddly named condition is rarely talked about, it's actually quite common.  Gynecomastia affects an estimated 40 to 60 percent of men.  It may affect only one breast or both.  Though certain drugs and medical problems have been linked with male breast overdevelopment, there is no known cause in the vast majority of cases.

For men who feel self-conscious about their appearance, surgery can help.  The procedure removes fat and or glandular tissue from the breasts, and in extreme cases removes excess skin, resulting in a chest that is flatter and better contoured. The most common approach involves the use of liposuction through small incisions to "vacuum" out excessive fatty tissue. Male breast tissue tends to be firm and appears to be more easily removed with newer technology called Ultrasonic Liposuction which essentially liquefies the fatty tissue to facilitate removal. The best candidates for the  liposuction approach have firm, elastic skin that will reshape to the body's new contours once the fat has been removed. 

 Surgery may be discouraged for obese men, or for overweight men who have not first attempted to correct the problem with exercise or weight loss.  Also, individuals who drink alcoholic beverages in excess or smoke marijuana are usually not considered good candidates for surgery.  These drugs, along with anabolic steroids, may case gynecomastia.  Therefore, patients are first directed to stop the use of these drugs to see if the breast fullness will diminish before surgery is considered as an option.

Sometimes the breast is made up of firmer glandular tissue which is resistant to removal by liposuction. When glandular tissue is the primary cause of the breast enlargement , it may require surgical excision, essentially like a mastectomy. The excision may be performed alone or in conjunction with liposuction to blend in to adjacent areas.  In a typical procedure, an incision is made in an inconspicuous location -- either on the edge of the areola or the underarm area.  Working through the incision, the surgeon cuts away the excess glandular tissue. When there is excessive saggy skin too, the surgery is more extensive ,removing skin from around the areola and from the sides and bottom of the breast. These major reductions which involve the removal of a significant amount of tissue and skin result in more conspicuous scars.