Gynecomastia is one of the most common male breast disorders. It can affect one or both breasts and is characterized by overdeveloped glandular tissue and localized fat on the chest, sometimes in addition to excess skin.
Gynecomastia can happen to men at any age and occurs for multiple reasons. Some of the reasons men experience gynecomastia include genetics, hormonal changes, obesity and weight loss, and the use of certain drugs.
The condition can often be debilitating and may wreak havoc on a man’s self-esteem and confidence. It’s common for men with gynecomastia to avoid dating, intimacy, and other activities such as exercising and going to the beach.
Gynecomastia surgery is a breast reduction technique that gets rid of excess glandular tissue, localized fat, and excess skin. The surgery can reshape the breasts to a smaller, natural-looking size and help men rebuild their confidence and self-image.
Gynecomastia surgery comes with numerous benefits.
Men with gynecomastia often struggle with self-image issues as the excess tissue, fat, and skin on their chests makes them feel less masculine. Gynecomastia surgery can help with this.
Exercise can be difficult for men with gynecomastia. Reducing the size of the breasts can improve workouts and help men be less self-conscious when going to the gym.
Gynecomastia surgery can reduce excess weight on the chest, which can otherwise cause poor posture and back pain in men with this condition.
Gynecomastia surgery can not only help men achieve a more masculine silhouette, but it can also significantly improve their self-esteem. If you struggle with gynecomastia, surgery can boost your confidence and relationships and improve your overall outlook on life.
The ideal candidate for gynecomastia surgery is at a stable, healthy weight but struggles with excess skin, tissue, and fat on the breasts. When larger breasts cannot be remedied through diet, exercise, or alternative medical treatments (such as the cessation of certain drugs), gynecomastia surgery becomes the only option.
Dr. Aghayan will want to know that your breast development has stabilized before surgery, and it is also important that the patient has realistic expectations when it comes to cosmetic procedure outcomes.
If you are looking for a solution to gynecomastia, start by booking a consultation appointment with Dr. Aghayan. This will give you a chance to describe your desired outcomes for surgery, and it will give Dr. Aghayan a chance to review your medical history and perform a short physical exam. Some blood draws and other tests may be required as well.
If surgery ends up being the best solution for you, Dr. Aghayan will have further instructions for you. These may include adjusting or stopping certain supplements or medications before surgery and stopping smoking and drinking as your surgery date nears.
Gynecomastia is typically an outpatient procedure, which means you’ll be able to go home on the same day as your surgery. How long your surgery will last will depend on multiple factors, including the degree of reduction, the chosen incision method, and the overall surgical technique — especially in regards to the positioning of the nipple and areola.
In general, gynecomastia surgeries that involve both the removal of excess glandular breast tissue and excess skin will follow these steps:
Dr. Aghayan will decide on the placement of your incisions before surgery. Either an inverted-T or a vertical incision will be used, depending on the complexity of the surgery and the overall reduction requirements.
Once the incisions have been made, a thin hollow tube called a cannula will be inserted and used to agitate and loosen the fatty tissues beneath the skin. Excess tissue will then be suctioned and completely removed from the body.
When excess skin is also present, this will be removed. The areola may also be reduced, and/or the nipple and areola may need to be repositioned.
Finally, the incisions will be carefully closed.
Gynecomastia surgery is a routine procedure. The vast majority of patients do not have issues with their recovery. Still, as with any surgery, there are some risks and complications that all patients should be aware of. These include:
Recovery from gynecomastia surgery generally takes about four to six weeks. During this time, it is critical that you follow the postoperative recovery instructions given to you by Dr. Aghayan.
Directly after surgery, you will be closely monitored in a recovery area before you are discharged. Be sure a trusted family member or friend is present to take you home. You will generally be released with a draining tube inserted near the incision area. This will help control bleeding and swelling. You will also need to wear a compression bra for at least the first few days after surgery as this will improve overall blood circulation in the area and support the contours of your new chest as it heals.
As the days pass, you will notice a reduction in swelling, bruising, and discomfort. Be sure to maintain your postoperative appointments with Dr. Aghayan, and follow his directions closely. It’s important to care for your incision sites carefully and contact our office immediately if you have any questions or concerns.
Gynecomastia surgery is often combined with procedures such as:
For men who are also hoping to reduce excess fat on other areas of their body, liposuction can help. Liposuction is often used during gynecomastia surgery (on the breasts) as well, so often, the two procedures can be combined.
Especially when gynecomastia was the result of significant weight loss, a tummy tuck is often recommended as well to improve the contours of the abdomen. Tummy tucks tighten loose abdominal muscles and get rid of excess skin with minimal scarring.
These are the most common questions we receive about gynecomastia.
What is gynecomastia caused by?
There are multiple reasons why some men struggle with gynecomastia. It may be the result of taking specific drugs or having a hormonal imbalance, or it’s sometimes caused by weight gain and rapid loss. In these cases, the breast skin may have been stretched significantly during weight gain, but did not bounce back to its original shape and size after weight loss.
Can gynecomastia go away with exercise?
If excess fat is present in the breasts, sometimes typical weight loss approaches (diet and exercise) can work to fix the issue. However, for an ideal outcome, an intervention such as gynecomastia surgery may be required. Likewise, when gynecomastia is caused by a hormonal imbalance, genetic issue, or certain drugs, surgical intervention is almost always required.
Is gynecomastia surgery painful?
Because your surgery will be performed under general anesthesia, you will not feel any pain during the procedure itself. However, it is common to experience some soreness and discomfort after surgery, especially over the first few days. This will slowly dissipate with time.
Can gynecomastia grow back after surgery?
While it is possible for breast tissue to return after gynecomastia surgery, it is not common. The best way to avoid any tissue or fat returning after surgery is to know the cause of your gynecomastia in the first place and to be certain breast development has stabilized before surgery. It’s also important to maintain a healthy weight after your procedure.
Will I have scars after gynecomastia surgery?
Whenever a surgery involves incisions, it’s bound to result in at least some minimal scarring. The good news is that Dr. Aghayan is highly skilled at creating discreet incisions and minimizing the appearance of scars.
To help your scars fade as much as possible, you should also be careful to closely follow the postoperative instructions provided by Dr. Aghayan following your surgery.
How long does it take gynecomastia scars to heal?
It can take as long as a year for gynecomastia scars to heal completely. Be sure to follow the postoperative instructions provided to you by Dr. Aghayan in order to maximize healing and scar fading.
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