Male Breast
Reduction
Enlarged Breast in Men (Gynecomastia)
Extra breast tissue can be the source of much embarrassment for males, particularly adolescent males. Not only are these often young men forced to wear large baggy shirts and hunch over forward to hide their chests, they also tend to shy away from social situations.
Gynecomastia is the overgrowth of breast tissue in a male that can occur at any age.
Although this typically occurs in both breasts, it can be unilateral. It may be the result of hormonal imbalance, heredity, certain medication usage, or other diseases. Once these issues have been fully addressed (possibly with the help of an endocrinologist), then surgery can be performed.
Male Chest Wall Procedure
Before
Male Chest Wall Procedure
After
Breast Reduction for Men
In order to proceed with surgery, the male needs to be healthy enough for the surgery, and be a non-smoker.
If the breast enlargement is mild, then liposuction may yield satisfactory results. However, the surgery typically entails making an incision around the areola (colored skin around the nipple), and removing excess breast tissue. If there is a significant amount of excess skin, then additional incisions down to the chest wall may be necessary.
Postoperatively, a compressive garment is worn for several weeks, and two small drains to wick away fluid are managed until they are ready for removal.
Additional Information
- Anesthesia – This typically requires general anesthesia and an overnight stay.
- Recovery – Most men will recover for the next 48 hours and should be able to return to work or light activities soon. They will be sore for several weeks and will have activity restrictions.
- Insurance – Although insurance typically does not pay for this procedure, we would be happy to send pictures and a letter to your insurance company for pre-determination.