Gynecomastia NYC
Male breast reduction (gynecomastia treatment) is an extremely effective way to remove excess breast tissue or fullness in men. Gynecomastia is a medical condition that causes enlarged breasts in males. It typically begins during adolescence and affects as much as 60% of men.
Gynecomastia surgery can be life-changing for patients who are self-conscious about having overdeveloped breasts. Dr. Smith can improve the contours of your chest in a way that looks natural. Please contact us today for more information about male breast reduction or to schedule a private consultation.
Procedure Summary
- PurposeGynecomastia surgery, or male breast reduction, removes enlarged male breasts to give you a smaller, more masculine chest.
- Recovery TimeResults are often visible after about a month, it can take 4 to 6 months to see the full results.
What Causes Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia can affect males of all ages and develop for several reasons. Obesity is one common cause of breast fullness in boys or men. However, genetics, anabolic steroid use, hormonal changes, drug use, certain medications, and some syndromes can also be the cause.
No matter what’s causing the breast to swell and become larger than normal, gynecomastia can be a physically and emotionally challenging medical condition. Male breast reduction surgery or gynecomastia surgery removes excess breast tissue, skin, and fat that contribute to male breast enlargement. The results give a firmer, more masculine chest appearance.
Gynecomastia Treatment Options
There are several ways to remove excess breast tissue, chest fat, or skin in men. Each of these tissue types requires a specific approach, and your gynecomastia reduction procedure will be custom tailored to your anatomical requirements and aesthetic desires. The procedure you have will usually involve one or more of the following:
Liposuction – Lipo is an excellent treatment option for excess fat in the male chest. VASER dramatically increases the effectiveness of liposuction in the male chest as this minimally invasive ultrasound technology melts the tough fat that is often found in the male breast. Male breast liposuction is an in-office procedure that can be done using local anesthesia, twilight anesthesia, or general anesthesia depending on your preferences. Liposuction is generally not an effective way to remove excess breast gland tissue. This often requires tissue excision (removal) surgery.
Tissue Excision – Breast gland tissue is usually too firm to be removed by liposuction, even with VASER ultrasound energy. For this reason, we often use a small incision located at the border of the areola and the regular breast skin to remove the excess breast gland tissue with direct excision. Again, this procedure can be done with your choice of anesthesia.
Skin Removal – In most cases of gynecomastia reduction, there will not be a great deal of extra skin and the skin that is redundant will simply contract down to conform to the new chest shape. In some instances, however, skin excess may need to be addressed. In moderate cases of skin excess, minimally invasive techniques like BodyTite can be very effective. In more severe cases of skin excess, skin removal may be required. This procedure is more invasive, can leave significant scars, and is performed under general anesthesia. In borderline cases. Dr. Smith often opts to delay skin excision to see if enough natural skin contraction occurs after fat and gland removal to avoid excising extra skin. After several months, if there is still too much skin excess, we can return to the operating room for a skin removal procedure.
What Happens During Male Breast Reduction?
Liposuction, a minimally invasive procedure to remove excess fat permanently, is generally the first step of gynecomastia reduction procedures. It can be done using local anesthesia so you will be awake but pain-free, or while you are asleep if you prefer. During treatment, Dr. Smith will make small incisions in the chest, allowing space for the cannula. The cannula suctions unwanted fat from the breast area while Dr. Smith improves the shape and contour of your chest. VASER and/or BodyTite may be combined with this procedure as needed. Surgical excision of the breast gland, if needed, is done by making a small incision on the bottom half of the areola. Excess breast tissue is then removed through this incision. While this procedure can also be performed with local anesthesia, skin removal usually requires general anesthesia. If you also require skin removal, additional incisions will be made. The exact location of these incisions will vary for each case, and Dr. Smith will discuss your individual requirements with you prior to your male breast reduction procedure. All of these options are outpatient procedures, meaning you can return home on the same day as your surgery.
Male Breast Reduction Recovery
Recovery usually takes around 3 to 7 days, with minimally invasive approaches like liposuction alone being on the shorter end of this spectrum and more invasive approaches like skin removal being on the longer end. Swelling, bruising, and soreness are expected for up to a week post-op. Pain medication can help ease discomfort. In addition, Dr. Smith generally recommends that his patients wear a compression garment day and night for 2 weeks. The elasticated compression garment helps reduce swelling and guides skin contraction.
Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting until Dr. Smith says you can return to normal activities. For many of Dr. Smith’s patients, a light workout is appropriate at 2 weeks and a full workout at 4 weeks. Keep in mind that driving may be a challenge for 1-2 weeks. Dr. Smith will work with you to design your individualized recovery schedule.
While early results are often visible after about a month, it can take 4 to 6 months to see the full results of your surgery.
Gynecomastia Surgery Scarring
Surgery scarring will depend on your treatment method. Scarring will be minimal if you only have liposuction to treat gynecomastia. Male breast tissue removal with tissue excision often requires a short scar hidden on the bottom of the areola. Skin removal procedures will yield more prominent scarring. The first year after surgery, scars generally fade and become less noticeable.
Can Gynecomastia Come Back After Surgery?
Surgery is the only long-term solution to treating gynecomastia. Male chest enlargement can recur with weight gain or the use of certain medications, recreational drugs, or supplements. However, there are steps you can take to ensure your results are long-lasting. Maintaining a stable weight and a healthy, active lifestyle can help preserve your results. If hormone issues or medical complications contribute to your chest growth, Dr. Smith will work with your primary care physician or a specialist to assist in your treatment to minimize the risk of recurrence.
Who Can Get Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
Not sure if you’re an ideal candidate for male breast reduction? If you’re at a healthy, stable body weight and excess fat or glandular tissue makes you feel self-conscious about your chest, a male breast reduction can make a drastic change. The results should be long-lasting as long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle. You should be in good general health prior to these elective procedures, and underlying me
The Benefits of Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia surgery helps give patients a more masculine appearance. The procedure is minimally invasive and often gives patients a better sense of self-confidence. After surgery, most patients feel more comfortable wearing fitted clothing and removing their shirts at the beach or other public areas.
Physical activity can be challenging if you have a more severe case of gynecomastia. Surgery will remove the fatty tissue that makes physical activity uncomfortable to make working out and exercising easier.
Gynecomastia NYC
Overdeveloped male breasts can be challenging. Gynecomastia usually can’t be treated with diet and exercise. Gynecomastia surgery, or male breast reduction, removes enlarged male breasts to give you a smaller, more masculine chest. Dr. Smith performs gynecomastia surgery in our NYC office. Contact us today to book an initial consultation.
