Gynecomastia, or enlarged male breasts, is a condition that affects many men around the world. It is often impossible for some men to get a chiseled male chest because of excess glandular tissue in the chest area.
50% of men in the United States experience gynecomastia at some point in their lives. Gynecomastia can make its presence known at any age.
Thankfully, male breast reduction is a viable option for men suffering from confidence issues because of their enlarged breasts. Male breast reduction can be performed safely on both teenagers and adult men.
Why Do Many Men Opt For a Breast Reduction?
Men with enlarged breasts are often uncomfortable and self-conscious about the appearance of their chests. They often find themselves avoiding certain activities because they are conscious about showing their chests in public. Male breast reduction is perfect for men suffering mental trauma due to their enlarged breasts.
Losing weight usually improves the appearance of a man’s chest. However, often times there is excess glandular tissue which makes even very lean patients appear to have breasts. Male breast reduction for gynecomastia has long lasting, usually permanent results.
Following the surgery, many men say that they feel comfortable taking their shirts off in public.
How Do Surgeons Treat Gynecomastia?
Currently, there are two ways of treating gynecomastia: liposuction and tissue excision. In some cases, a combination of these two techniques is required.
Liposuction – This procedure involves using local or general anesthesia with sedation. Dr. Glassman makes small incisions and then removes excess fat using a cannula. This tube with a sharp end loosens the stubborn fat cells in the chest and then removes them with the help of medical suction. Liposuction can be used to sculpt a new chest shape that looks natural.
Recovery has been reported to be very tolerable. Patients are usually told to wear compression garments, which helps minimize swelling and gives support to the healing tissues. Most men return to their daily schedule within a couple of days after the procedure. However, exercise is off limits for about three weeks after the surgery.
Tissue Excision – Tissue excision is required for the cases of gynecomastia that are primarily caused by excess glandular breast tissue. In addition, surgeons recommend that patients with stretched and saggy skin choose this approach.
Excision is usually performed using general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. Once incisions are made in the area, Dr. Glassman removes glandular tissue and skin using a scalpel. The incisions’ location and length differ depending on the severity of the case. Incisions are closed using sutures.
Recovery after excision is very similar to liposuction. Patients have reported experiencing soreness and some swelling. They are typically ready to return to their daily duties within a week of the surgery. Patients are also permitted to slowly return to exercise after a couple of weeks.
What Do Men Experience After the Surgery?
Men usually notice an improvement in the shape and overall appearance of their chests immediately after the surgery. Patients report an increase in confidence in their day-to-day lives. A healthy lifestyle is vital for long-lasting results.
Make an Appointment to Learn More
Dr. Lawrence Glassman is a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience in a number of aesthetic procedures. Contact our office if you would like to arrange a consultation with Dr. Glassman regarding gynecomastia and male breast reduction.