What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is the medical term for enlarged male breasts. It is a condition that can create an overdeveloped appearance because of the abnormal growth of breast tissue. This can occur in all males at any age that can result from hormonal changes, heredity, weight gain/loss, or the use of certain medications or drugs. Men with this problem typically feel anxious or embarrassed, especially at the beach, pool, or in the gym. At Forma Plastic Surgery, we offer surgical options for men who suffer from gynecomastia. This procedure has a very high success rate. It is considered one of the more popular cosmetic surgeries for men at Forma Plastic Surgery.
What to Expect with Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia surgery reduces excess breast tissue in men, flattening and enhancing the chest contours. If you feel frustrated by your chest’s size and shape, but you maintain a good weight, you could benefit from this surgery. Adolescent teens may also attain positive results from gynecomastia surgery; however, they may require a secondary procedure later as an adult if breast tissue develops. At your initial consultation, our Scottsdale, AZ board-certified plastic surgeons can listen to your needs and provide a surgical plan that aligns with them.
During surgery, the physician can use a form of
liposuction to eliminate excess fat tissue from the chest or direct excision of fatty tissue, or a combination of both. In addition, if loose skin is a concern, the physician can remove sagging skin and tighten around the remaining tissue to improve chest contour.
How Is Recovery from Gynecomastia Treatment?
Following your gynecomastia treatment, the chest will be secured with a compression garment to help reduce swelling. In advanced cases where a more intricate technique was used, a small tube for draining may be inserted to assist with fluid. The results following male breast reduction surgery are immediately seen, and most patients are extremely pleased with the cosmetic change. Any incisions made during surgery take time to heal, and any scars left behind should be hardly visible, if visible at all. With your enhanced chest, you may get permission from Dr. Yao to continue exercise and weight training, which will help accentuate the surgical results.
Gynecomastia Treatment FAQ
How Much Does Male Breast Reduction Cost?
Excessive male breast tissue (gynecomastia) is a medical issue that is best handled by an experienced surgeon. For this reason, we urge you to focus on getting quality results rather than costs. To help fit your budget, Forma Plastic Surgery accepts many payment methods and can help you find low-interest medical financing. While surgery for gynecomastia is generally not covered by insurance, it’s worth talking to your insurer to check.
What Causes Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is caused by an imbalance in hormones. Most often, gynecomastia is linked to the use of anabolic steroids or androgens. It can also be caused by using illegal drugs, such as heroin and marijuana. Gynecomastia may also be triggered by certain medical conditions (hyperthyroidism, hypogonadism, and tumors) or medications (highly active antiretroviral therapy for AIDS, anti-anxiety medications, and chemotherapy).
How Can I Tell if I Have Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia occurs in men when there is an overgrowth of breast tissue in the chest, which can cause swelling, tenderness, and pain. Some men may have false gynecomastia (also known as pseudogynecomastia), so we encourage patients to lose weight with an exercise plan and healthy diet before seeking treatment for gynecomastia. If you still have enlarged breasts at a healthy weight, the plastic surgeons at Forma Plastic Surgery can perform a physical exam and order diagnostic tests. This may include blood tests, a mammogram, or a biopsy to look for other causes like an infection of the breast tissue (mastitis) or cancer.
Can Gynecomastia Be Treated with Exercise or Pills?
The most effective treatment for gynecomastia is male breast reduction surgery. Currently, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) hasn’t approved any medications to treat gynecomastia. While they aren’t approved for the treatment of gynecomastia, a few breast cancer medications (for example, Raloxifene or Tamoxifen) might give you minimal improvements. Upper body weight training to build the pectoral muscles cannot reduce the excess breast tissue and may even make the breasts appear larger.
Will This Fix Puffy or Pointy Nipples?
Glandular gynecomastia can cause puffy or pointy nipples. If this is a concern for you, please talk to the Forma Plastic Surgery team at your consultation. Our plastic surgeons will personalize your surgical plan to use the best technique and incision pattern to correct your nipples. Large areolas may also be corrected in surgery for gynecomastia. It’s important to be honest about all your needs and goals in your initial consultation, so our plastic surgeons in Scottsdale, AZ, can help deliver the results you want.
Quality Over Cost
Your cost for
breast augmentation surgery will vary depending on your implant choices and whether you are getting any other surgeries. As soon as your treatment plan is made in your consultation, Dr. Yao can talk to you about estimated costs and financing. To make sure you are happy with your results and they last a long time, it’s better to focus on quality over costs.
Restore your Masculine Chest
If you suffer from the side effects of male breast enlargement (gynecomastia), we invite you to call our office to schedule a private consultation with one of our Scottsdale, AZ board-certified plastic surgeons to learn more about our male breast reduction procedure at Forma Plastic Surgery. After treatment for male breast enlargement (gynecomastia), you can stop hiding your chest at the gym and beach. We have assisted so many men and have enjoyed watching them regain their confidence.
