Gynecomastia is a common condition that can be disturbing to many men. Unfortunately, many myths still persist today that cause men to be discouraged when seeking treatment for gynecomastia.
Myth: ‘Pseudogynecomastia, Man boobs, Male Breasts, Gynecomastia are mutually exclusive (you have one or the other)”
Dr. Azouz: Most men have a combination of fatty tissue and gynecomastia. It is not uncommon for men to have massive weight loss and have true gynecomastia (pure breast tissue). Similarly, men who are at their ideal weight may have significant fatty tissue in their chest. Most men will have a combination of gynecomastia (breast tissue) and fatty tissue.
Myth: ‘Nipple Size is independent of gynecomastia’
Dr. Azouz: Enlarged male nipples are most often associated with underlying gynecomastia. Patients undergoing gynecomastia surgery can often expect their nipple-areola to reduce by half to one-third of the size.
Myth: ‘You will have Drains with Gynecomastia Surgery’
Dr. Azouz: We do not use drains in gynecomastia surgery. This allows a more comfortable recovery without additional scarring from drain sites.
Scar with Gynecomastia Surgery “The scar is most often imperceptible and camouflaged in the areola.”
Myth: Scarring with Gynecomastia surgery: ‘scars are multiple, large and visible’
Dr. Azouz: We only place one scar on each breast in our procedure. The scar is most often imperceptible and camouflaged in the areola.
Myth: ‘Older men are not candidates for gynecomastia surgery’.
Dr. Azouz: Older men can have wonderful results with gynecomastia surgery. We operate on men in their 70s and 80s routinely and have many older patients who are very happy after male breast reduction surgery.
Myth: ’Teenagers and pre-teens are not candidates for gynecomastia surgery’.
Dr. Azouz: Young adults and teens can have wonderful results with gynecomastia surgery. We operate on boys as young as 10 and 12. There are patients who have severe gynecomastia even before they are teenagers. Gynecomastia surgery can be performed in even growing boys.
Myth: ’Male breast reduction is very painful’.
Dr. Azouz: Many of our patients do not take any pain pills after male breast reduction surgery. Some patients only take Tylenol and Advil. It is rare for a patient to ever need a refill of their pain prescription after surgery.
Contacting Us
Patients who experience gynecomastia are encouraged to contact us. We can perform a thorough examination and offer advice on the appropriate method of treatment. For more information and to schedule your consultation with Dr. Azouz at 972-702-8888, contact our office.
