Male Breast Reduction: Is it right for me?
A word about breast reduction in men...
Gynecomastia is a medical term that comes from the Greek words for "women-like breasts." Though this oddly named condition is rarely talked about, it's actually quite common. Gynecomastia affects an estimated 40 to 60 percent of men. It may affect only one breast or both. Though certain drugs and medical problems have been linked with male breast overdevelopment, there is no known cause in the vast majority of cases.
- “When this first started, the doctor said it would go away in a couple of years and it hasn’t”
Many young men experience breast enlargement at puberty. For the vast majority of these young men, it disappears in a year or two. However, for many young men it continues long after their teen years. These young men find themselves the object of ridicule in locker rooms, unable to enjoy the sport of youth including swimming, and running, and a loss of self-esteem. They separate themselves from others as they withdraw to a secluded nonactive lifestyle. This may well promote obesity. Many of these young men spend their days wearing multiple layers of shirts and t-shirts, slumping as they sit, never participating in social events.
Often, these young men feel as if they must have “girl” hormones in their body and feel betrayed by the arrival of puberty. This condition is almost always present in the face of normal testosterone levels. It is an abnormality of tissue sensitivity.
For men who feel self-conscious about their appearance, breast-reduction surgery can help. The procedure removes fat and or glandular tissue from the breasts, and in extreme cases removes excess skin, resulting in a chest that is flatter, firmer, and better contoured.
If you're considering surgery to correct gynecomastia, come in for a discussion of what can be done to correct this condition. Dr. Grado will discuss with you what factors may be contributing to the condition and how it can be corrected. Don’t spend your life hiding.
THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR GYNECOMASTIA CORRECTION
Surgery to correct gynecomastia can be performed on healthy, emotionally stable men of any age. The best candidates for surgery have firm, elastic skin that will reshape to the body's new contours.
Surgery may be discouraged for obese men, or for overweight men who have not first attempted to correct the problem with exercise or weight loss. Very few men over 200 pounds do not have a prominent chest. Also, individuals who drink alcohol beverages in excess or smoke marijuana are usually not considered good candidates for surgery. These drugs, along with anabolic steroids, may cause gynecomastia. Therefore, patients are first directed to stop the use of these drugs to see if the breast fullness will diminish before surgery is considered an option.