Gynecomastia is the medical term given to the condition of excessive male breast tissue. Gynecomastia affects vast numbers of men throughout the United States, and is often a cause of distress and self-consciousness in those impacted by the condition. If you are a man with overdeveloped breasts, cosmetic surgeon Dr. Anthony Miller can help with male breast reduction surgery.
To learn more about gynecomastia surgery, contact call Orange County Cosmetic Surgery today at 714-379-9777 to schedule a free, confidential consultation. Dr. Miller helps men from across California, including Huntington Beach, Orange County and Newport Beach.
Am I a Good Candidate for Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
If you are a man who suffers from excessive breast tissue, you are likely a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery. During your initial consultation, Dr. Miller will determine if the procedure is your best course of action.
You may be a good candidate for male breast reduction surgery if you:
- Are generally in good health
- Are near a stable weight
- Do not smoke or are willing to quit in order to facilitate healing
- Have enlarged breast tissue and excess skin
- Are dissatisfied with the appearance of your chest
- Are able to follow Dr. Miller’s pre and postoperative instructions
This is a general overview, and not intended to serve as a substitute for meeting personally with Dr. Miller in a confidential consultation. At your initial consult, Dr. Miller will review your medical history, answer your questions and determine your candidacy for treatment.
The Causes of Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is a common condition that can occur at any time in a man’s life. In some cases, the condition emerges in young children and diminishes over time; other times, gynecomastia may develop when a man is over 50 years old and has put on weight.
Other causes of gynecomastia include:
- Use of or exposure to anabolic steroids
- Alcohol use
- Marijuana use
- Obesity
- Medications
- Heredity
- Diseases, including chronic liver disease
- Hormonal imbalance, particularly if your estrogen level is higher than your testosterone level
Regardless of the cause of your gynecomastia, it is unlikely to be harmful. However, if the condition is causing you embarrassment and self-conscious about your appearance, Dr. Miller can reduce the size of your male breasts, create a masculine, natural-looking appearance and boost your confidence.
Is male breast reduction surgery permanent?
Patients wonder if this surgery will need repeating later. True gynecomastia, versus enlarged breasts due to weight gain or other lifestyle factors, is caused mainly by excess glandular tissue. This causes the protrusion of the nipple-areola complex. In male breast reduction surgery, Dr. Miller removes most of the mammary gland, leaving enough to support the nipple-areola. With this tissue gone, the chances of recurrence are very low.
However, if the gynecomastia was due to the use of steroids, marijuana, or other medications, it is possible for a patient’s breasts to become enlarged again if usage is continued. Also, a sizable increase in weight can allow fat to accumulate in the breasts, although this isn’t true gynecomastia.
If you want to maintain your new chest contours, keeping to a healthy weight, and moderating your alcohol or marijuana use will be necessary. Steroid use would fully need to cease, as enlarged breasts are a direct side effect.
Is my gynecomastia due to substances or medications I am taking?
Men can develop enlarged breasts when taking anabolic steroids, smoking large amounts of marijuana, or as a side effect of various medications. If during your consultation Dr. Miller ascertains your enlarged breasts are due to these conditions, you are not a candidate for surgery to reduce your breasts.
You can stop the use of the drugs to see how your body responds, but surgery isn’t the route to follow.
The Ideal age for having gynecomastia surgery
There isn’t an age requirement. Of course, the patient needs to be able to handle surgery and recovery, although this is not a difficult procedure.
This surgery is not for teenagers who have enlarged breasts. That’s because their enlarged breasts are caused by the dramatic rise in the levels of estrogen and testosterone that is part of puberty. Once the teenager exits puberty, gynecomastia usually exits with it and the breasts return to normal size.
What are the risks involved with gynecomastia surgery?
This is a low-risk procedure. It is surgery, so there are the usual risks of excessive bleeding, poor wound healing, infection, and the like, but these are rare because this procedure involves small incisions. The main risk is some loss of nipple sensation, but this is usually a temporary change and feeling returns as the affected tissues recover.
Can gynecomastia be fixed by losing weight?
While losing weight can help reduce the appearance of male breasts for some men, if you have glandular tissue in addition to fat buildup, your enlarged breasts will not go away with only a decrease in weight. This surgery with Dr. Miller is the only consistently effective way to reduce your enlarged breasts and re-contour your chest.
If Dr. Miller suspects your breast enlargement is not glandular, he may recommend weight loss first or breast liposuction.
If I am obese, should I lose weight prior to having this surgery?
As discussed above, if your breast enlargement is due to glandular tissue, losing weight won’t have any effect on your breast size. If you have fatty tissue that is behind most of your enlargement, losing weight is recommended. Plus, it’s always a good idea to lose weight before having any type of body contouring procedure done to avoid creating more sagging skin later.
Generally, Dr. Miller prefers patients to be within 10 percent of their ideal weight for gynecomastia surgery, as this enables him to contour the patient’s breasts as needed without worrying about sagging created by extensive weight loss.
How Dr. Miller performs male breast reduction surgery
Called reduction mammaplasty, this surgery typically involves small incisions made around the edge of the areola or possibly the armpit. This makes scarring inconspicuous. Once Dr. Miller has access to the excess breast tissue, the tissue is removed, usually along with some excess fat. He may use some liposuction in combination with the excision surgery. If you have sagging, excess skin, that will be trimmed away. In cases where the patient has true gynecomastia, excess skin is not usually a problem. These are outpatient procedures and are not complicated.
What to Expect After Your Male Breast Reduction Surgery
You will see an immediate difference in the appearance of your chest, as your breasts will be gone. However, your final results won’t be evident for about three to six months, when your bruising and swelling have disappeared. In many cases, the results of gynecomastia surgery last a lifetime. However, if specific drugs, medications or weight gain caused your condition, you’ll need to commit to a healthy lifestyle and avoid certain substances in order to maintain your results.
Is there noticeable scarring after male breast reduction surgery?
Because Dr. Miller can usually make the incision around the patient’s areola or in the armpit, scarring is almost invisible. Scarring is not a problem with this surgery.
Resuming normal activities after Male Breast Reduction Surgery
It is unfortunate that more men who suffer from enlarged breasts don’t have surgery to correct the problem, as the procedure and recovery are not difficult. After the first week or two at most, patients can return to light exercise, such as walking. Strenuous exercise needs to wait for a month or so. But you’ll quickly be able to return to work and regular activities. Any exercise, such as weight training that targets the chest, will likely need to be avoided for up to six weeks.
Read what our patients are saying!
"Dr. Miller and his staff (Cynthia and Vanessa) get 10 stars! I had a breast augmentation and was extremely nervous about the surgery. The moment I met with Dr. Miller I felt comfortable. He is professional, kind, thorough and answered all of my questions. The surgery went great and I am in love with the results. If you are looking for the best Dr in Orange County I highly recommend you meet with him!"
FAQ
What Causes Gynecomastia?
When a baby is assigned male, their body prioritizes the testosterone hormone. However, the male body does produce small amounts of the female hormone called estrogen. Gynecomastia is the result of having low levels of testosterone.
Below are the potential causes of gynecomastia:
- Puberty
- Genetics
- Specific medication, such as amphetamines and anabolic steroids.
- Consuming substances such as alcohol, heroin, and marijuana.
- Medical conditions, such as obesity, hyperthyroidism and hypogonadism.
- Taking herbal supplements.
What Is the Treatment for Gynecomastia?
Before gynecomastia can be treated, it must first be diagnosed by a healthcare professional. After a thorough exam, which includes assessing breast tissue, the genitals, and the stomach area, you will undergo one of the various tests. It can be getting blood work, a mammogram, a tissue biopsy, or an MRI.
In most cases, gynecomastia goes away on its own unless it results from a medical issue. If gynecomastia is caused by a medical issue, then you may need treatment. This is also the case if the condition does not fade over time.
Below is a list of treatment methods for gynecomastia:
- Being prescribed medication, such as tamoxifen and raloxifene.
- Undergoing a liposuction procedure.
- Getting a mastectomy.
- Having a male breast reduction procedure.
What Is the Recovery Period Like After Male Breast Reduction?
Once the procedure is completed, you can expect to feel some pain, discomfort, and soreness for a few days. You can return to your usual daily routine in about two weeks. In the meantime, you must listen to the doctor’s orders. Do not do any heavy lifting, and try not to raise your arms above your head.
Patients who undergo male breast reduction surgery typically see results within three to six months. These results are permanent, but depending on the severity of your gynecomastia, you may need repeat treatments to achieve what you are looking for.
Is Gynecomastia Surgery Covered by Insurance?
Since male breast reduction surgery is a cosmetic procedure, most insurance plans do not cover it. However, if your gynecomastia is causing you pain and interfering with your quality of life, then insurance may help cover the cost. However, most plastic surgeons offer their patients payment plans, which can help them get the treatment they need easier.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
If you would like to reduce the size of your male breasts and enjoy a more masculine appearance, contact our office today online or at 714-379-9777 . We proudly serve Huntington Beach, Orange County and Newport Beach, California.
