Currently, upwards of 65% of men suffer from excess breast tissue. There are many reasons that men can develop excess breast tissue including heredity, medications, hormonal changes, or obesity. Regardless of how the extra breast tissue got there, it can cause men to be self-conscious and rob them of their self-confidence. If you are one of those men who is hiding behind compression tank tops and layers of clothing and feel like less than your best self, then you may be interested in a male breast reduction procedure called gynecomastia surgery.
What Is Gynecomastia and How Is It Treated?
Gynecomastia is a condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts in men. It can occur at any age and can be caused by heredity, by the use of certain medications, by hormonal conditions, and also by obesity. When considering treatments, there are two main options.
- Liposuction alone will often take care of the removal of the extra fat that is causing the breasts to protrude. Liposuction is less invasive, can be done with local or general anesthesia, and has a fairly quick recovery time. This procedure can be done in less severe or pronounced cases and is an excellent option for reducing the size of the male breasts.
- For more extreme cases, removal of the actual breast tissue is needed along with a reduction of the nipple area and sometimes removal of excess skin. This procedure is done under general anesthesia as it involves larger incisions, more tissue removal as well as fat, and work on the size and placement of the nipple area. The surgery will result in a flattened chest and enhanced chest contours.
Gynecomastia surgery is done under general anesthesia and takes anywhere from 1 to 3 hours to complete. The recovery time is typically 4 weeks with the patient taking the first 1-2 weeks off of work. Regular exercise regimens can resume in 4 to 6 weeks to give the surgical site time to heal completely. When the recovery time is complete, men will notice a flatter look to their chest and improved contours.
The very best way to discover which of these two types of treatments you need is by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Jamie Moenster at Dermatology and Plastic Surgery of Arizona. She will gladly customize a treatment plan for you and get you started on your journey.
“Professional and friendly atmosphere. Was treated with respect by everyone I encountered and, was in and out in no time at all. Sad to say but highly unusal in my experience with most medical offices to be taken care of so quickly! Great job and I will happily refer friends and relatives to this facility!” *
Take The Next Step
If you are ready to improve your overall appearance and confidence by pursuing gynecomastia surgery, it is time to take the next step and schedule a consultation. Dr. Jamie Moenster at Dermatology & Plastic Surgery of Arizona would love to meet with you and help you begin your journey. Fill out the form on this page or call our Tucson location at 520-207-3100 or our Sierra Vista location at 520-458-1787. We look forward to meeting you soon.