What Gynecomastia Surgery Treats & What to Expect

Everything You Need to Know About Male Breast Reduction Surgery

Gynecomastia develops when there's an imbalance between the hormones estrogen and testosterone in the body, which causes breast tissue to grow. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including natural hormonal shifts during puberty or aging, certain medications (including some steroids, antidepressants, and blood pressure medications), and other underlying health factors.

It's worth noting that not every enlarged chest is true gynecomastia. In some men, what looks like gynecomastia is actually excess fat in the chest area, sometimes called pseudogynecomastia. True gynecomastia involves actual glandular breast tissue, while pseudogynecomastia involves fat. Your physician can determine which you're dealing with during your consultation, as the distinction can affect how the procedure is approached.

Are You a Good Candidate?

The best candidates for gynecomastia surgery are men who are in good overall health, at or near a stable weight, and are non-smokers. If excess weight is contributing to your chest appearance, getting to a healthier, more stable weight before surgery will help produce the cleanest result. Adolescent boys with gynecomastia may be candidates for surgery if the condition has persisted past puberty and shows no sign of resolving on its own. Your physician can talk through the timing and specifics during your consultation.

How the Procedure Works

Gynecomastia surgery at Will Surgical Arts is performed under general anesthesia in our accredited surgical center. The approach depends on the nature of your gynecomastia, how much tissue needs to be removed, and your individual anatomy.

In most cases, the procedure uses liposuction techniques to remove excess fat from the chest through small, discreet incisions. For cases involving actual glandular breast tissue, which is firmer and can't be removed by suction alone, additional techniques may be used to excise the tissue directly. Incisions are typically made around the edge of the areola, where they blend naturally with the surrounding skin and become much less noticeable over time.

Once the excess tissue and fat have been removed, the incisions are carefully closed. The overall procedure is relatively straightforward, and most patients are pleasantly surprised by how manageable the experience is from start to finish.

Gynecomastia Surgery Recovery

Recovery from male breast reduction is generally quite manageable. Here's what you can typically expect:

• Some grogginess from the anesthesia immediately after surgery is normal. You'll need someone to drive you home and stay with you for the first day.
• Mild bruising and swelling in the chest area are expected in the first couple of weeks. This can make it difficult to fully appreciate your results right away, but both will resolve as healing progresses.
• Discomfort during the first few days is manageable with prescribed medication.
• Most patients can return to a desk job or light daily activities within a few days to a week.
• More strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should wait until your physician gives you the green light, typically a few weeks after surgery.
• Scarring around the areola is a normal part of healing. These scars tend to fade and flatten significantly over time and are generally quite subtle once fully healed.
• A few months after surgery, when swelling has fully resolved, most patients can clearly see and appreciate their final result: a flatter, firmer, more masculine chest.