Gynecomastia is a medical condition in which a man’s breasts are overdeveloped or enlarged. Having fuller breasts can be a source of discomfort, embarrassment and stress for men, particularly if the breasts show through clothing or make it difficult to go shirtless. Dr. Marco Ellis offer a safe solution to gynecomastia: male breast reduction surgery.
If you are bothered by oversized, feminine breasts and desire a firmer, flatter chest, Dr. Ellis can safely reduce the size of your breasts for a more classically masculine contour. The results of surgery will help you look great and feel more comfortable in your own skin.
Understanding Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia can occur at any age, and it may affect one or both breasts. It can happen for several reasons. Some men are genetically prone to enlarged breasts. Others find their breast size grows due to hormonal fluctuations, health conditions (e.g., thyroid disease, liver or kidney problems, hypogonadism) or certain medications. Bodybuilders who use steroids are also more susceptible to developing gynecomastia. Alcohol and drug use has also been known to cause gynecomastia.
Breast enlargement in gynecomastia is due to an overdevelopment of glandular tissue, which cannot be reduced with diet or exercise efforts. Gynecomastia is easily confused with pseudogynecomastia, which is simply an abundance of fatty breast tissue.
If your gynecomastia is severe, your breasts may sag and your areola (pigmented skin surrounding the nipple) may be oversized or look stretched out. Male breast reduction can correct the sagging, remove excess skin and reduce the size of the areola, too.
To qualify for male breast reduction, you should:
- Be in good health
- Not have any serious medical conditions
- Not smoke or use drugs
- Drink alcohol only in moderation
- Have a positive attitude and realistic expectations of surgery
Treatment Details
Male breast reduction is normally performed on an outpatient basis. Anesthesia is administered during the procedure.
The surgical techniques used depend on the nature of the problem. Excess glandular tissue and skin are surgically excised through discreet incisions made on the breast around the nipple-areolar complex or underneath the breast crease (where the breast meets the torso). Excess fatty tissue is removed using liposuction techniques. With liposuction, a slender, hollow tube is inserted through tiny incisions on the chest; the tube is moved back and forth to loosen fat, which is then removed from the body with gentle suction.
Often a combination of liposuction and surgical excision techniques are used to address fat, tissue and skin. The areola can also be reduced in size and relocated higher on the breast if needed.
After surgery, your chest will be bandaged and wrapped in a support garment to help minimize swelling. The garment will also support the healing chest tissue.
You should plan to take approximately one week off work to recover. You will need to refrain from strenuous cardiovascular exercise and upper body workouts for about six weeks to give your body ample time to heal. Dr. Ellis will see you regularly during your recovery to check your healing progress and clear you to resume work and exercise.
You will notice your chest looks flatter and firmer almost immediately after surgery. Your results will stabilize and improve in the weeks and months following surgery.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. Ellis
If you are interested in learning more about male breast reduction surgery for gynecomastia, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Ellis. Call (312) 695-6022 or email us today to book your appointment.