Body contouring options like male breast reduction or liposuction can improve your appearance, giving you newfound freedom to live life without hiding yourself.
What Causes Gynecomastia?
The specific cause of gynecomastia in men can be hard to pin down as several factors contribute to it. Usually, hormones play a role. Often, if the estrogen levels are higher than the testosterone, the breast tissue might grow. Several things can lead to an imbalance of those hormones.
For example, a considerable number of infant males are born with gynecomastia. The mother’s estrogen remains in the blood of the newborns for a few weeks after birth, contributing to breast enlargement. Once the mom’s estrogen is gone, the breasts usually decrease in size.
In many boys, gynecomastia occurs during puberty as the hormones fluctuate. As hormone levels even out, the enlargement usually fades.
Adult men can also experience enlarged breasts because of lower levels of testosterone and increased levels of estrogen. In some cases, the change in hormone levels is a result of the aging process.
A wide range of medications can also play a role. Drinking too much alcohol or using certain types of illegal drugs may also play a factor.
Can You Prevent It gynecomastia?
While you can’t always prevent gynecomastia, it is possible to avoid some of the things that cause it. For example, not drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can help to reduce your risk, as can avoiding the use of street drugs.
If you think a prescribed medication you are taking is contributing to gynecomastia, you can discuss your other options with a doctor. Switching to a different dose or trying a different but similar medication might help.
Gynecomastia Candidates
The following is a criteria list that helps us determine ideal candidates for male breast reduction surgery:
- Men suffering from this condition that is unreceptive to alternative medical treatments
- Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
- Men with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for improving the physical symptoms of gynecomastia
- Patients that are physically healthy and of relatively average weight
- Men who have realistic expectations
- Men whose breast development has stabilized or are bothered by the feeling that their breasts are too large
- Non-smokers and non-drug users
The Gynecomastia Consultation
During your consultation, the surgeon will evaluate your anatomy. They will review your medical history, discuss your goals, and answer all your questions or concerns regarding the male breast reduction surgery. In this consultation, you and the surgeon will go over the pricing and financing options of the procedure. Our experts will thoughtfully design a unique surgical plan that safely and effectively meets your goals.
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Preparing for Male Breast Reduction
In preparation to have your gynecomastia surgery, the surgeon will provide you with a list of instructions and medications to follow before your surgery date.
Do not take aspirin or products containing aspirin for two weeks before surgery; this could lead to bleeding problems during surgery.
Stop smoking at least 6-8 weeks before gynecomastia surgery. Tobacco use can cause complications due to decreased blood supply which increases the risk of healing problems.
Make sure to arrange transportation home after the procedure. The medication prescribed (sedative or pain medication) may be too strong to drive safely.
We strongly advise against drinking alcohol before surgery; it can increase your risk of bleeding. Also, do not consume any products containing caffeine the day before and after surgery. Consult with your surgeon to determine if taking a multivitamin is acceptable on the day of surgery. }
The Gynecomastia Surgery
Gynecomastia is graded from I to IV, based on the amount of excess tissue and the amount of excess breast skin. Grade I is for individuals with minimal breast tissue; ultrasonic liposuction may be the only treatment necessary.
This liposuction method uses ultrasonic energy that melts fat down for suctioning out of the chest for permanent results. The procedure is a valuable option for male patients with gynecomastia that consists of excess tissue that is mainly fat (Grade I and Grade II Gynecomastia).
In grade IV, on the other hand, there is severe enlargement of the breast tissue and a large amount of skin excess. In these cases, the patient will need male breast reduction surgery to reduce the large amounts of glandular tissue or fat and excess skin. The removal leaves the remaining skin firm and readjusts to the new contours.
Male breast reduction surgery takes between two to three hours to complete
Gynecomastia Surgery Recovery
Most patients feel some discomfort during the first few days after surgery but manage it with the oral pain medication prescribed by the surgeon.
After the first few days, you will transition to over-the-counter pain medication. At first, the chest area may feel swollen and tender; this is normal and subsides over the first few weeks.
You will need to wear compression garments for four to six weeks following surgery. The garment helps keep the incision sites stable, preventing a fluid build-up that could otherwise cause problems. Compression garments also help you toward a speedier recovery and allow for the procedure results to become permanent.
Most patients may resume standard exercise 4 weeks after surgery. Our surgeons will be highly involved in your post-operative management and guide you as you gradually increase your activity level.
Frequently Asked Questions on Gynecomastia Surgery
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of male breast reduction surgery is $6,000. You and your surgeon will go over more details involving price and financing during the consultation.
Insurance can cover gynecomastia surgery if it is medically necessary. Some types of health insurance policies do not include coverage for cosmetic procedures. However, since this is a fundamental condition with an underlying medical cause, most insurance carriers classify it as medically necessary and provide coverage if all specific pre-authorization requirements are satisfied.
Scars will depend on the type of surgery performed. In liposuction, scars within the breast crease fade and become hardly visible in time. In male breast reduction surgery, skin excision requires the use of incisions that will leave scars. The surgeon will discuss incision placement during your consultation.
In some cases, gynecomastia does go away on its own. When it occurs in infants, it typically resolves after just a few weeks. In rare cases, a baby boy with enlarged breasts might have them until one or two years old. The condition usually fades away on its own if it occurs in puberty. Once a teenage boy’s hormones have settled, the breasts typically reduce in size. If medication is causing the condition, it might resolve on its own once a man stops or switches to a different drug.
While you can’t always prevent gynecomastia, it is possible to avoid some things that cause it. Not drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can help to reduce your risk, as can avoiding the use of street drugs. If you think a medication you are taking is causing gynecomastia, you can
discuss your other options with a doctor. Switching to a different dose or trying a different but similar medication might help.
If the condition does not improve on its own, there are a few treatments available. The procedures are dependent on the stage of gynecomastia and whether we can narrow down the cause. In lighter cases, liposuction will be enough to correct the issue. In grave cases, we need surgical intervention to address the problem. Some males with gynecomastia do not need surgery. Taking a medication that prevents their body from producing estrogen might help them achieve their goals. There are also ways to treat gynecomastia without surgery, but ultimately, male breast reduction is most effective.
As with any surgery, there are risks involved. Side effects of male breast reduction surgery include bleeding, infection, poor healing that results in scar formation and deformity. The probability of this happening lowers when a certified plastic surgeon handles your case.
If you live in the state of Florida, Aesthetic Surgery Center offers gynecomastia among its services. For a full list of services, please visit our Locations page.
Why choose Aesthetic Surgery Center
Dr. Anurag Agarwal, M.D., F.A.C.S.
- Board certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery.
- Received his Doctor of Medicine at Philadelphia’s MCP-Hahnemann School of Medicine in 1999 and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society.
- In 2016, Dr. Agarwal was honored at the annual American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery national meeting.
Richard W. Maloney, M.D., F.A.C.S.
- Certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
- Served as chief investigator for numerous laser application systems for CO2, Argon, Nd:YAG, ER:YAG and Krypton lasers used in Facial surgery.
- Fellow American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and American Academy of Cosmetic Surgeons
- Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
- Attended medical school at UNMC (University of Nebraska Medical College).
- Was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society.
- Member of The Aesthetic Society, the Florida Medical Association, and Collier County Medical Society.
- General surgery residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, IL
- Plastic surgery residency at Cleveland Clinic Florida
Book Your Gynecomastia Surgery in Naples Today
To learn more about gynecomastia and how to correct and cope with it, contact the Aesthetic Surgery Center to book an appointment with one of our plastic surgeons. Our surgeons have featured on many major news networks, including ABC, NBC, Wink TV, and FOX, as recognized experts on various plastic surgery topics.
We believe that educating and communicating with our patients are the keys to helping them achieve successful, natural-looking results. Please fill out our contact form below; feel free to call us to schedule your male breast reduction surgery in Naples, FL, today!
Related Procedures: Breast Augmentation, Breast Asymmetry, Breast Implant Revision, Breast Lift (Mastopexy), Breast Reduction, Breast Reconstruction