Enlarged male breasts, also known as gynecomastia, can be emotionally difficult for men. My patients have told me that their gynecomastia makes them not only self conscious in front of their spouse or partner (they wouldn’t dare take off their shirt at the beach or in public) but even in clothes they feel that their excessive breast tissue is noticeable. Many of the bodybuilders or fitness models I know are troubled by even the smallest excess fat or breast tissue since they are constantly in the public eye without a shirt.
Gynecomastia is characterized by:
- Excess localized fat
- Excess glandular tissue development
- A combination of both excess fat and glandular tissue
- Gynecomastia may present unilaterally (one breast) or bilaterally (both breasts)
Gynecomastia can be surgically treated by removing excess fat, glandular tissue and/or skin. The result is a better proportioned, more masculine-contoured upper body and the freedom and self confidence to lead an active life. It is extremely important for patients to have realistic expectations about their surgery. Patients who are obese generally need to loose weight in addition to having surgery to have a proportional final result.
The excess fat or breast tissue can often be removed by liposuction but often times may also need to be directly excised.
Your results: Initial swelling should dissipate in 2-4 weeks. Patients who have a lot of tissue removed should expect wrinkling or bagging of the skin in the immediate post operative period (as fat and breast tissue were removed under the skin) Final results may appear in about 3-4 months. Incision lines will continue to fade for up to 1 year. Significant weight gain can reverse results.
Overall my gynecomastia patients are very happy with their results and feel they can finally be shirtless in public.