Posted March 01, 2017 in Blog, breast surgery
It can be embarrassing, but it’s also surprisingly common. Roughly half of all men have enlarged male breasts, and while this may go away on its own, it sometimes does not. Male breast reduction surgery aims to correct this issue if it doesn’t resolve itself.
Gynecomastia
During puberty, many boys will experience an enlargement of the breast, a condition called gynecomastia. Fortunately, this will usually dissipate after puberty and therefore won’t require surgery.
In older men, however, this condition often does need to be solved surgically. It generally results from an imbalance of hormones, mainly too little testosterone or too much estrogen. After breast reduction surgery, it may be necessary to correct these hormonal imbalances in order to maintain the results.
If male breast enlargement is due to excess fatty tissue alone (and not a glandular issue), the condition is referred to as pseudogynecomastia. In general, diet and exercise will resolve the issue without the need for surgery.
The Operation
Male breast reduction surgery itself is done through one of two methods—liposuction or surgical incision. Usually, it’s done under general anesthesia, though local anesthesia and sedation are also an option. The method used ultimately depends on the situation itself.
Liposuction uses a vacuum to remove excess fat tissue. This is usually best if there is just a bit of excess fat. Overly large or sagging male breasts may require the removal of additional tissue by incision.
If done by incision, a small cut will be made below the areola (nipple) to allow fat and glandular tissue to be removed.
Am I a Candidate?
If you are suffering from gynecomastia, you may be a candidate for male breast reduction surgery. To qualify, you should be close to your ideal body weight, have good skin elasticity, and generally healthy, both physically and psychologically. Additionally, you should be over 18, since gynecomastia will usually resolve itself after puberty. It’s also important to note that certain medical conditions may disqualify you from surgery, so consult with an experienced surgeon beforehand.
To see if you’re a good candidate for male breast reduction, contact North Dallas Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation.
