Home/Breast Surgery Procedures/Male Breast Reduction
The severity of the condition varies from being perceived only by the affected individual to being extremely large and even droopy—attaining cup sizes of “DD” or bigger.
Fortunately, gynecomastia can be effectively treated with male breast reduction surgery (gynecomastia surgery), that can involve excision of glandular tissue, liposuction or a combination of both techniques. If there is excess skin with laxity, this would have to be surgically addressed as well.
At our practice, Scottsdale plastic surgeon Steven Turkeltaub, MD has helped countless men, including adolescents, achieve a more toned and masculine looking chest through male breast reduction surgery. He would be happy to do the same for you.
To learn more about gynecomastia and its treatment, we invite you to explore the contents provided throughout this page. If you have any questions, or if you are ready to schedule your consultation with Dr. Turkeltaub, please contact us today.
Gynecomastia is often the result of hormonal changes from puberty. However, it tends to resolve for the majority of individuals once puberty is complete and hormone levels have stabilized. In cases where it does not resolve on its own, treating gynecomastia typically requires surgical intervention.
Some additional causes of gynecomastia include:
The enlargement of glandular breast tissue, not associated with any symptoms, is often the only finding associated with gynecomastia. This most often presents in both breasts though it can sometimes affect only one side. It can also occur in each breast to varying degrees, resulting in one side appearing larger than the other.For many males, extra fat is commonly present in addition to the overdeveloped glandular tissue, further adding to the size of the breasts. There are some whose gynecomastia is solely due to fat. In severe cases, a relative excess of lax skin may also develop and cause the breasts to sag.
It is uncommon for the condition to be associated with a significant amount of pain, but mild breast tenderness may be experienced in some cases of gynecomastia.
Regardless of the cause of gynecomastia, males who have overly large breasts often experience embarrassment, shame and insecurity about their appearance. The pictures below are examples of mild, moderate and severe cases of gynecomastia.
Due to social media policies, the following images have been censored. Please click on the button below to view the images.
*Individual Results May Vary
Although “gynecomastia” is the general term used to describe overly large male breasts, this aesthetic condition might more specifically be characterized as “pseudogynecomastia” if an accumulation of fat is the sole underlying cause.
In true gynecomastia, excess glandular tissue is primarily responsible for the enlarged male breasts. This enlargement of breast tissue generally begins to develop due to elevated hormonal levels occurring during puberty and it usually resolves on its own for the majority of males. When the condition does not disappear, however, direct excision of the extra glandular tissue is typically the most effective solution. (Other causes are listed above.)
In pseudogynecomastia, the growth and accumulation of an abnormal amount of fat in the breasts, which usually is the result of an excess of weight, is the main cause for male breast enlargement. A healthy diet, weight loss, exercise and certain weight lifting techniques can be helpful in some individuals to improve the appearance of this condition. However, most ultimately will need fat removal through liposuction in order to effectively treat this problem.
Both true gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia are extremely common and distinguishing between the two is often not possible until the time of surgery. As a result, seeking a board-certified plastic surgeon who is highly skilled in both direct tissue excision and liposuction is critical to maximizing your probability for safe, appropriate treatment and desirable results.
The breasts in males with gynecomastia possess extra fat and/or glandular tissue. With more severe enlargements, excess skin may also be present. Men who are obese may see some improvement with weight loss but this usually does not fully eradicate their problem. The definitive treatment is surgery, undergoing a breast reduction to remove the excess tissue and contouring the breasts. Ultrasonic assisted liposuction is an extremely effective treatment for those patients where fat constitutes a component of the gynecomastia—anywhere from some to the entire enlargement. Direct excision of breast tissue is warranted where glandular tissue comprises the entire enlargement or a noticeable amount.
The incision for male breast reduction surgery is typically placed around the lower half of the areola (colored portion around the nipple) but also can be placed in the fold below the breast. Its length is usually around three eighths of an inch. A more elaborate approach involving additional incisions is warranted if the breasts are extremely enlarged or associated with drooping and considerable skin excess.
Surgery is most often performed as an outpatient procedure using general anesthesia. Many men also elect to have their procedure conducted in combination with other aesthetic treatments, most notably liposuction in the love handles and/or abdominal region.
To help reduce any potential swelling, bruising or postoperative discomfort, a compressive dressing is placed around the chest for a few days. Following this, a form fitting garment is worn for a few weeks. Any soreness or pain is usually well controlled via oral medication, with most patients feeling well enough to resume school and non-strenuous jobs and activities in as little as a few days. Heavy lifting, working out and sports should be avoided for around three weeks.
The results of this treatment can be quite dramatic, both physically and psychologically.
Depending on the underlying cause of the gynecomastia, the incisions for a male breast reduction can be placed around the lower part of the areola, in the crease at the bottom of the breast or a combination of the two. Their ultimate appearance would depend on genetics, skin type, early activity type and level, usage of anti-scar products and more. Fortunately, these usually heal extremely well with the resulting scarring being fairly or completely inconspicuous and virtually never an issue.
What is very common is for men to be thrilled with their new chest contour.
Like most plastic surgical procedures, pricing for gynecomastia surgery will vary based on factors such as the fees for the surgeon, anesthesia charges and treatment facility expenses—whether it is an office, outpatient center or hospital. Additional elements that can affect the total cost of the procedure include:
To obtain a customized price quote for gynecomastia surgery, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Turkeltaub. Following an extensive review of your unique needs and goals, he can provide you with an estimate of the total cost of treatment, including an itemized breakdown of associated fees.
The benefits of surgery to correct gynecomastia can be quite substantial including an increased self-confidence that accompanies a more masculine configured chest.
Due to social media policies, the following images have been censored. Please click on the button below to view the images.
*Individual Results May Vary
In cases where a patient is experiencing pseudogynecomastia (fat causing the breast enlargement), losing weight may improve the issue to some degree. That said, significant weight loss can also lead to excess, sagging skin that may still require surgical intervention.
For those with true gynecomastia, losing weight will likely not have an effect and indeed may make the excess glandular tissue appear more prominent.
If you are interested in learning more about male breast reduction for the treatment of gynecomastia, or if you wish to schedule a consultation with Dr. Turkeltaub, please contact the Arizona Center for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery today.
