Adolescent males may develop breast buds during puberty, which are defined by enlarged breasts and puffy nipples. In most cases, the breast buds disappear within two years, once the hormone levels stabilize. In gynecomastia patients, the breast buds persist into adulthood. Diet and exercise do not help with enlarged male breasts because gynecomastia is not associated with excess weight. Men who are at their ideal weight can have enlarged breasts. Most such patients have gynecomastia for genetic reasons, but patients with a history of heavy marijuana use or steroid use will have a higher incidence of gynecomastia. Some overweight men may have enlarged breasts caused by fatty tissue, without an enlargement of the glandular tissue.

The first step towards addressing enlarged breasts in men is to ensure that there are no underlying medical conditions or other contributing factors. Once these factors are considered, a physical examination reveals the presence of excess breast tissue and fat.

Most cases of gynecomastia are genetic and do not have a known cause. There are several medical reasons why a man may have gynecomastia, caused by an imbalance between testosterone and estrogen in the body. Aside from genetic gynecomastia, reasons why men may develop enlarged breasts include:

There are three main surgical techniques for gynecomastia procedures, and the options will be discussed with you at your consultation with Drs. Ekstrom, Compoginis or Bunkis. Male chest surgery for gynecomastia involves removing excess breast tissue and fat. In patients with JUST a fatty excess, a liposuction procedure can remove the breast mound. In patients with a firm breast tissue growth but without skin excess, the breast tissue can be removed through an incision around the bottom half of the areolus. In patients with significant skin excess and drooping, the excess breast tissue will be removed by making an incision around the areolae and along the fold along the breast crease, the skin is pulled taut, the the excess skin is removed, and the nipple replaced as a free skin graft.

If you have enlarged nipples or large areola, this can be remedied during the surgery as well. The large areola on a male is reduced by removing part of the darker skin tissue. Male nipple surgery involves removing some of the tissue to create a more suitable nipple size and shape.

Some cases of gynecomastia can be treated with male chest fat removal via liposuction alone. More commonly, liposuction may also be used as an adjunct to refine the periphery if excess fat exists in addition to an overgrowth of glandular tissue during your male breast reduction procedure.

Gynecomastia surgery recovery typically takes a few weeks before you can resume exercise but it will take six months for the tissues to completely soften and 12 months for the scars to fade. You will need to rest and avoid any strenuous activities initially, to allow the skin to stick down to the underlying muscle. Expect to have some swelling, tenderness, bruising, and discomfort during recovery from male breast reduction surgery.

Monitor the incisions for any signs of infection, such as redness, warmth, and itching. Initially, the scar line is a pink or tan color. It takes up to 12 months for the scar to heal completely.

Male breast reduction surgery is considered a permanent solution for gynecomastia. It is important to note that any changes to your weight may affect the size and shape of your breasts. Continued anabolic steroid use can lead to a regrowth of glandular tissue. Diet and exercise should help you prevent new fat from developing in your chest area. In very rare cases, new breast tissue develops, and subsequent surgery may be recommended.

After undergoing plastic surgery, following the postoperative instructions provided by your surgeon is crucial for optimal healing and recovery. These instructions may include wearing a compression garment, caring for the surgical site, managing pain, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It is important to keep the surgical area clean, take prescribed medications as directed, rest and avoid strenuous activities, and adhere to a balanced diet while staying hydrated.

Attending follow-up appointments will allow your surgeon to monitor your progress and provide further guidance, ensuring a successful outcome from your plastic surgery procedure.