The number of boys and men experiencing gynecomastia has been on the rise in the past several years. While the reasons behind this increase have yet to be fully understood, it has led to increased interest in male breast reduction surgery for gynecomastia. If you are one of the many people researching your options for treating “man boobs” and creating a smoother, more masculine chest appearance, here’s what you need to know.
Gynecomastia has two possible causes: excess fat and excess glandular tissue
Gynecomastia is excess male breast tissue, or any type of extra tissue in the chest. This excess tissue may be composed mostly of fat, glandular tissue, or some of both. Identifying the type of tissue behind your enlarged male breasts is a critical first step in developing an effective surgical plan.
Surgery can include liposuction, direct gland excision, or both
If fat removal is all that is required to achieve your surgical goals, then we can use liposuction to remove the fat. Liposuction requires a very small incision, about the diameter of a pencil eraser, on either side of the chest. Your surgeon uses a hollow tube called a cannula to break up the fat and remove it using suction.
If you have glandular tissue that will need to be removed in surgery, you may require a slightly lengthier incision to give your surgeon full access to the tissue; this procedure is known as gland excision. The incision will be carefully placed around the edge of the nipple-areola complex, the darker rim of which conceals the scar as it heals. With proper care, incisions can heal to be unnoticeable.
[Embed photo from: https://www.instagram.com/p/DAj2yRhyykL/?img_index=1]
Researching a well-qualified, talented cosmetic surgeon is key
Male breast reduction should not be taken lightly. Like any cosmetic surgery, it requires a specialist who is well-versed in best practices, for both your safety and optimal aesthetic outcomes.
When researching a surgeon, look for impressive before-and-after photos of previous patients on the surgeon’s website and/or social media accounts, as well as many positive reviews on platforms like Google and Real Patient Ratings. Schedule a consultation to learn what they recommend for you, and make sure that the surgeon and their team are working to help you make an informed decision.
References »
Braunstein GD. What Accounts for the Increased Incidence of Gynecomastia Diagnosis in Denmark from 1998-2017? J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020 Oct 1;105(10):e3810–1. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa485.
Ronald S. Swerdloff, MD, MACP and Jason C. M. Ng, FHKAM. Gynecomastia: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. National Library of Medicine.
Gretchen Dickson, MD, MBA. Gynecomastia. Am Fam Physician. 2012;85(7):716-722.
We invite you to meet with the cosmetic surgeons at Inland Cosmetic Surgery to learn more about gynecomastia surgery in the Rancho Cucamonga and Victorville area. Dr. Jacob Haiavy and Dr. Emma Ryan all offer male breast reduction from our private, accredited surgical suite, conveniently located within our practice. Call 909-987-0899 to learn more and get started today.
You must be logged in to post a comment.
