Gynecomastia, the condition of having female-like breasts, is unfortunately a relatively common condition in men. It can be caused by a number of different factors, including hormone imbalance or obesity, and can cause significant self-consciousness and emotional distress. Luckily, there are treatment options available that can help you restore a more masculine chest.
If you are suffering from gynecomastia, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Gregory Brucato at 203-431-7644 to schedule your complimentary consultation. We welcome patients from Ridgefield, Wilton, Danbury, and other areas in Connecticut.
Gynecomastia occurs when men develop enlarged breasts. It most often occurs in adolescents and older men over the age of 60, but it can happen at any age. Causes of gynecomastia can include:
Gynecomastia in adolescents usually goes away on its own within a few months to a few years. However, if an adolescent boy is experiencing bullying or severe self-confidence issues because of it, you may want to look into treatment options besides just waiting it out.
Dr. Brucato performs gynecomastia surgery for men wishing to obtain a more masculine-looking chest. Typically, gynecomastia surgery involves liposuction to remove excess fatty tissue from the chest. If glandular breast tissue or excess skin is present, excision may be performed as well. Incisions from gynecomastia surgery are usually small and heal well.
Other ways to help treat gynecomastia can include:
If your gynecomastia is due to being overweight, the best treatment option may just be to lose weight. If you still have excessively large breasts after losing weight, talk to Dr. Brucato about male breast reduction surgery.
If you are bothered by your enlarged breasts and feel embarrassed or self-conscious about them, you may want to consider gynecomastia surgery. Although gynecomastia typically doesn’t cause physical symptoms, it can cause self-esteem issues, especially in adolescents.
You may be a candidate for male breast reduction surgery if you:
If you are significantly overweight, Dr. Brucato may recommend that you lose some weight before surgery to see if your breasts will reduce in size naturally. However, being overweight is not necessarily a contraindication to having gynecomastia surgery, so please schedule a consultation to discuss your options.
Recovery from male breast reduction surgery will vary depending on the extent of the surgery. Typically, you can return to school or work within just a few days. You may experience some swelling and bruising for a week or two following surgery, and you should refrain from strenuous exercise for at least three weeks.
You’ll be given prescription pain medications for any pain or discomfort, but most patients are able to switch to ibuprofen within just a few days.
In some cases, it is possible to reduce the size of enlarged male breasts without surgery. For that reason, it is a good idea to consult a doctor before scheduling your procedure. A doctor will determine if your gynecomastia can be traced back to certain medications or health conditions.
Drug-induced gynecomastia can often be improved by changing medications. Similarly, treating an underlying medical condition may flatten the shape of your chest. Other measures, such as cutting back on alcohol, avoiding marijuana, and losing weight may be beneficial for some men.
Keep in mind that these approaches are not always successful. That is where surgery comes in. It is a proven and effective way to achieve the masculine chest appearance that you desire.
It is unusual for gynecomastia to return after surgery. Excess fat and, in some cases, glandular tissue, are permanently removed from the treatment area. That produces long-lasting results.
However, some factors can cause gynecomastia to come back, including:
Male breast reduction surgery does leave small scars. Fortunately, these scars are typically hidden in the natural contours of the chest, where they can be quite difficult to detect.
Generally, gynecomastia scars get lighter and less noticeable over time. You can help fade these marks with good aftercare. It is best to avoid unprotected sun exposure. Using products such as medicated creams or silicone gel after the initial healing phase can also be beneficial.
You might blame a lack of physical activity for the appearance of your chest. However, exercise is not a treatment for true gynecomastia. It cannot reverse the increase in breast gland tissue.
Sometimes, exercise can help treat pseudogynecomastia. This condition occurs when excess fat creates the appearance of large male breasts. However, even this can be difficult to reduce.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to target a specific area of your body for fat loss. Some stubborn chest fat may persist no matter how healthy you eat or how much time you spend working out.
Gynecomastia surgery usually takes about an hour or two to perform. It depends on the amount of tissue that needs to be removed and the techniques that are being used during the procedure. For example, liposuction alone requires less time than liposuction and excision.
Dr. Brucato will be able to give you a better estimate of your surgical timing. Schedule a complimentary consultation today to learn what you can expect from male breast reduction.
If you are interested in male breast reduction surgery, please contact Dr. Brucato today at 203-431-7644 to schedule your complimentary consultation. We serve patients in Ridgefield, Wilton, Danbury, and nearby areas of Connecticut.
