Most people think that only women are worried about the size and appearance of their breasts, which is why they have breast augmentations and breast lifts.

However, some men have problems with enlarged breasts, also known as gynecomastia.

This issue is often a source of considerable embarrassment for men. The number of men who have opted for gynecomastia surgery has risen over the past several years.

During puberty, changes in hormones can cause the male breast tissue to get larger. In some cases, the breast tissue shrinks when puberty is over. But sometimes, the breasts stay enlarged.

It is estimated that the prevalence of asymptomatic gynecomastia is as much as 90% in children, 60% in adolescents, and 70% in men from 50 to 69.

Some of the most common causes of this condition are:

Puberty
Gaining too much weight
Use of anabolic steroids
Smoking marijuana
Other medications also are known to cause male breast enlargement

How To Know If You Have Gynecomastia

Male breast enlargement usually happens in both male breasts, but some patients can have asymmetric breasts. A patient with gynecomastia may feel a disk-like mound of tissue in the breast that isn’t as hard as a cancer tumor in a self-exam. It’s located under the nipple area.

However, if a palpable mass in the male breast is unilateral, fixed, rigid, and peripheral to the nipple with enlarged lymph nodes and nipple discharge, cancer could be the culprit. You should have your breasts examined by a doctor and possibly have an MRI or mammogram.

Gynecomastia Plastic Surgery

When a patient goes to a surgeon and expresses dissatisfaction about enlarged male breasts, the surgeon will assess what kind of tissue is causing enlargement. Surgery to take out the tissue usually involves liposuction of the excess fat.

Gynecomastia is more than a fat problem. Your surgeon may remove extra glandular breast tissue via an incision around the nipple. Your plastic surgeon also must do a complete physical examination of the breasts to confirm the condition and rule out breast cancer.

To prepare for this surgery, you should stop taking any prescription or over-the-counter drugs that boost the chances of bleeding. Also, please stop smoking for several weeks before the operation, and eat a healthy diet to encourage proper healing and recovery.

Most plastic surgeons do this procedure under general anesthesia, but it’s possible to do it with oral sedation and local anesthesia. Your surgeon may put in drains after the procedure to reduce the chances of fluid buildup.

It also helps to use a compression vest and ice to reduce swelling, bruising, and pain.

When patients choose to have liposuction, excision, or a combination, the results of this surgery are usually excellent and permanent. However, if the condition was caused by prescription drugs, illicit drugs, or weight gain, the patient will need to keep a healthy lifestyle to maintain the results.

Gynecomastia Surgery Recovery

If you only need liposuction to correct your condition, you can get back to work and exercise in less than a week. If you need to have excess breast tissue removed, it can take up to four weeks before engaging in regular activities.

Many patients say they can go back to work after seven to 10 days and can engage in cardio exercise after two weeks. It’s important not to overdo your activities in the first week or so; that way, your incisions have time to heal. Can gynecomastia come back after surgery?

Gynecomastia Surgery Complications

This procedure is safe, and most patients enjoy a fast recovery. Even though your surgeon will pay great attention to safety, occasional complications arise. Some of the most common issues after this procedure are:

Bruising
Bleeding
Fluid collections
Contour irregularities
Loss of skin in the nipple
Scarring
Inverted nipples
Loose breast skin

You can avoid most complications by following your surgeon’s instructions for your recovery. Many complications arise because patients don’t follow their doctor’s instructions after the procedure.

Who Is A Candidate For Gynecomastia Surgery?

Two things cause this condition. The first is due to an imbalance of hormones and/or higher levels of estrogen and lower levels of testosterone.

The other is caused by gaining weight and extra fat stored in the chest. This can cause more blood flow to the area and higher estrogen production. Also, using steroids and some antidepressants, and hormonal therapies can increase your muscle mass, making your estrogen levels rise. This may lead to the growth of unwanted breast tissue.

A Mayo Clinic study found that 50% or 60% of adolescent males may have this condition, but the swelling and tissue size usually recedes with age.

If you have a BMI between 19 and 30, are healthy, and a stable body weight, you could be a good candidate for this procedure.

Non-Surgical Options For Gynecomastia

Non-invasive treatments for gynecomastia are not as effective as surgery, but new clinical studies show that some drug therapies can help with the problem. They are:

Androgens, such as testosterone, danazol, and dihydrotestosterone
Anti-estrogens, such as clomiphene citrate and tamoxifen
Aromatase inhibitors, such as letrozole and anastrozole

Some doctors report that some patients with gynecomastia may benefit from testosterone treatments if they have a low hormone level. Also, danazol, which is a synthetic type of testosterone that reduces estrogen production, can be helpful. Liposuction in some cases can reduce fatty deposits.

However, before you try prescription drugs for this condition, it’s wise to eliminate any lifestyle issues contributing to gynecomastia.

This means you should get to a healthy body weight as soon as possible. Also, stop taking medications or illicit drugs that cause the issue and treat any underlying systemic condition.

Request a Houston Gynecomastia Consultation

Interested in a gynecomastia procedure in Houston? Please set up a consultation with Dr. Ashley Steinberg today. She’ll talk to you about the benefits and risks of the procedure to determine if you’re a good candidate for a gynecomastia procedure.

References

Everything You Need To Know About Man Boobs. (2019). Accessed at https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326637

Enlarged Breasts In Men – Gynecomastia. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gynecomastia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351799

What Men Need To Know Before Having Gynecomastia Surgery. (2019). Accessed at https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-men-need-to-know-before-having-gynecomastia-surgery