• Have prescription or over-the-counter drugs caused your breasts to enlarge?
  
  
• Do you have loose, sagging skin on your chest after massive weight loss?
  
  
• Has breast enlargement made you embarrassed in
  intimate situations?
  
  

If you suffer from gynecomastia, you're not alone. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that in 2006, 20,000 American men underwent male breast reduction surgery to treat this all-too-common condition. Plastic surgery can give you a chest that is flatter, firmer and better contoured.

What is gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a condition where the male breast is enlarged by excessive glandular tissue. It may affect only one breast or both.

What causes gynecomastia?

Causes of gynecomastia include:

• Puberty
  
  
• Alcoholism
  
  
• Exposure to estrogen or androgen hormones
  
  
• Low testosterone levels
  
  
• Aging
  
  
• Benign or malignant breast tumors
  
  
• Steroid use
  
  
• Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid)
  
  
• Genetic disorders
  
  
• Severe starvation
  
  
• Chronic liver disease
  
  
• Lung cancer
  
  
• Klinefelter's syndrome
  
  
• Kidney failure
  
  
• Medication side-effects
  
  

A single enlarged breast could be caused by a breast tumor. If you have one enlarged breast, Dr. Parungao will recommend that you undergo a mammogram to rule out breast cancer.

What else can cause enlarged male breasts?

A condition known as pseudo-gynecomastia is characterized by enlarged male breasts caused by excessive fat tissue. Unlike gynecomastia patients, men with pseudo-gynecomastia have a normal amount of glandular breast tissue. Pseudo-gynecomastia commonly occurs in older men, as well as in younger men who
are overweight.

Are there degrees of gynecomastia?

Yes. The degree of gynecomastia will determine the appropriate treatment choices.

• Mild gynecomastia is characterized by minimal glandular and fat accumulation, as well as good skin tone and elasticity.
  
  
• Moderate gynecomastia involves more glandular fullness and breast fat, good to moderate skin tone and minimal to moderate loose skin.
  
  
• Severe gynecomastia is marked by moderate gland and fat fullness with loose, saggy skin.
  
  

How can plastic surgery treat gynecomastia?

• If you have mild to moderate gynecomastia, liposuction alone may treat your condition.
  
  
• If you have moderate to severe gynecomastia, male breast reduction surgery may be needed.
  
  

What is male breast reduction surgery?

Male breast reduction surgery is a procedure to remove excess skin as well as fat and glandular tissue from the chest. By contrast, liposuction removes only excess fat.

How is male breast reduction surgery performed?

Male breast reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure that can be performed under twilight or general anesthesia. There are two incisions—one around the areola and one just under the breast.

Does male breast reduction surgery leave a significant scar?

Yes. It is important to realize that breast reduction surgery will leave a visible scar under the breasts, as shown in the before and after pictures above. Although the scar will fade with time, it will be permanently visible.

How fast is the healing process?

Although everyone heals at a different rate, you can expect that your recovery will follow this general time line:

Within the first week

• You will begin to move about more comfortably and perhaps even return to (non-strenuous) work.
  
  
• Surgical drains will be removed and dressings will be changed.
  
  

After several weeks

• Bruising and swelling will diminish.
  
  
• You may return to most of your normal activities, including
  mild exercise.
  
  

After a few months

• Incision lines will begin to fade.
  
  
• Your final results will become evident six to nine months
  after surgery.
  
  

What results can you expect from male breast reduction?

Surgery for gynecomastia can give your chest a more masculine contour and make you feel much more self-confident. Although the incision lines from male breast reduction surgery will be permanently visible, they will fade over time.

Male breast reduction FAQ