Although you commonly hear of breast reductions for women, male breast reduction is not as commonly discussed. Gynecomastia is a condition that can cause breast tissue in men to swell or enlarge. Gynecomastia presents from puffy nipples to large female appearing breasts. Approximately sixty percent of men have this condition, and many have it to the point that they choose surgical correction. In adults when gynecomastia persists for 12 months, surgical excision and body contouring is the definitive treatment of choice.
What is gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a condition that can first present in puberty or after infancy, as the young man is encountering many different changes in his body. An imbalance between testosterone and estrogen can cause breast tissue to develop and grow in a male. Although the exact etiology of this condition is not always clear, steroids, recreational cannabis and other medications are believed to contribute to gynecomastia. Other factors like weight and age can also influence the development of gynecomastia. The overwhelming cause of gynecomastia is a genetic predisposition inherited from a male relative.
To many males, especially as a young teen, this is a source of embarrassment. Many young men report not wanting to participate in sports or any team activities that require changing in front of other young men or women. Patients often report being very self-conscious of their bodies and try to hide it in various ways. Older men may also experience difficulty with self-esteem and avoid going shirtless, playing sports or wearing tight-fitting clothing. There are also men who intentionally gain weight in order to camouflage their gynecomastia. Gynecomastia may be minor and fade away past puberty, or it may be excessive and not reduce or disappear.
Gynecomastia is also referred to as male breast tissue, gyno, or “man boobs”. Gynecomastia is different from pseudo gynecomastia which involves lipodystrophy or abnormal fat distribution in the chest. Most men who are afflicted with gynecomastia have a combination of both lipodystrophy and true gynecomastia.
Will gynecomastia go away naturally?
Males affected by this condition often want to know the answer to this question: Will gynecomastia go away naturally? The simple answer is it depends. For young boys, gynecomastia often goes away after puberty. However, for many children, young adults, and adults the appearance of gynecomastia may be permanent. In fact, the only proven treatment for this condition is male breast reduction, a surgical procedure. When a skilled plastic surgeon performs this procedure, it creates a permanent change in the male’s physical appearance. Gynecomastia removal can often be achieved with one outpatient surgical procedure.
How do you choose a good plastic surgeon for liposuction and removal of gynecomastia (male breast reduction)?
Most importantly, you need a plastic surgeon you can trust and feel comfortable with. A plastic surgeon is a surgeon who has completed a minimum of 3 years of general surgery and 3 years of plastic surgery. It is advisable to directly inquire if your plastic surgeon completed a residency in plastic surgery.
Azouz Plastic Surgery has two such plastic surgeons, who are sympathetic to your problem and skilled in performing male breast reductions. Both plastic surgeons perform gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction) on a regular basis. Dr. Azouz routinely does not use drains, performs gynecomastia surgery as day surgery, and often is able to achieve the desired results with imperceptible scars. Dr. Azouz performs Aesthetic (Cosmetic) and Reconstructive surgeries of the chest and has experience in treating patients with advanced gynecomastia, Poland syndrome, placement of pectoral implants, nipple/areola reduction, and chest asymmetry.
If you are affected with gynecomastia, schedule a plastic surgery consult and call 972-702-8888 today.
