Gynecomastia Surgery

• Gynecomastia, or enlarged breast tissue, is an issue that affects 35% of men
• Male breast reduction surgery can effectively treat gynecomastia by surgically removing unwanted tissue and fat
• The best candidates are adult men in good health with excess breast tissue

Gynecomastia is a benign disorder in which men develop excess glandular tissue in the chest, resulting in the appearance of breasts. It’s commonly caused by an imbalance in the body’s testosterone and estrogen levels but can also be triggered by certain medications and steroids. A similar condition called pseudogynecomastia is defined by the presence of excess fatty tissue in the breast area.

Is enlarged breast tissue making you uncomfortable or causing you embarrassment? Are you in the Greenville, Spartanburg and Anderson area? We suggest booking a consultation at Advanced Cosmetic Surgery. Our board-certified team of surgeons is ready to discuss whether gynecomastia surgery is the right choice for you.

Male Breast Reduction at Advanced Cosmetic Surgery

Usually, both gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia resolve on their own. But for some men, an enlarged chest becomes a long-term struggle. True gynecomastia is characterized by overdeveloped mammary glands, which do not respond to diet and exercise. Sometimes in pseudogynecomastia, the fatty tissue simply won’t budge. In these cases, the most effective solution is gynecomastia surgery. 

How it works

Male breast reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a small incision to excise overdeveloped mammary glands, unwanted fat, and loose skin, then repositions the nipple if necessary. Two primary surgical techniques are used, often in conjunction with one another.

Liposuction

The liposuction technique is used for pseudogynecomastia—a chest enlarged with excess fatty tissue—not glandular growth. The surgeon inserts a thin, hollow tube called a cannula at various sites around the chest. He moves the cannula back and forth to loosen the fat and applies suction to remove the cells from the body. Liposuction results in minimal scarring.

Excision

When glandular breast tissue or excess skin must be removed, the excision technique is preferred. For each case, the surgeon must determine the exact placement and size of the incision as there is no one standard pattern or procedure. Excision is necessary for nipple repositioning and areola reduction.

Combination

Liposuction and excision can be used in tandem to address all the issues involved in both gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia. This enables the surgeon to remove excess fat and glandular tissue, reposition the nipple, reduce the areola, and give a more typically masculine appearance to the chest. Feathering liposuction smooths the borders of excised tissue for a more natural-looking result.

Before and After Photos

Please note the patients featured in these images may have undergone other treatments in conjunction with gynecomastia surgery. This photo gallery does not guarantee that everyone who undergoes this procedure will obtain these or similar results.

Are You a Good Candidate for Gynecomastia Surgery?

The best candidates for male breast reduction surgery are adult men who have excess tissue in the chest area that can’t be reduced through diet and exercise. Other qualifiers include being in good health and at a stable weight. If you are overweight and experiencing enlarged breast tissue, your best course of action would be to lose weight and then see whether this surgery is necessary.

To determine if you’re a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery, talk to an expert. Schedule a consultation at Advanced Cosmetic Surgery, and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions.

What to Expect During Your Gynecomastia Surgery

During your surgery, you’ll be fully anesthetized; in rare cases, local anesthesia may be administered instead. Afterward, you’ll need someone to drive you home. You may have a drain inserted at the incision site to remove excess blood or fluids. 

Aftercare

As your body starts to heal, you’ll experience bruising and swelling that typically resolves within a few weeks. If you’ve undergone liposuction only, you can typically return to exercise and work after 1 week. If you’ve also had skin and glandular tissue removed, recovery takes 2–4 weeks. 

While you heal after surgery, you’ll need to wear a compression vest or support garment, regularly ice the chest area, attend check-up appointments to monitor the healing process and follow all other instructions from your surgeon.

Results

You’ll immediately notice a reduction in the size of your chest. However, complete results may take 3–6 months to appear. For most men, the scars at the incision sites will gradually fade and become less noticeable over time. 

How Much Does Male Breast Reduction Cost?

The cost of gynecomastia surgery depends on many factors, including whether you’re undergoing liposuction, excision or both and whether nipple repositioning or areola reduction is involved. To learn more about our pricing, give us a call or schedule a consultation.

Gynecomastia Surgery FAQ

Is gynecomastia surgery safe?

This surgery is quite safe and usually produces excellent outcomes. However, as with any surgery, complications may occur. These include bruising, bleeding, scarring, nipple numbness and asymmetrical outcomes. Choosing an experienced surgeon and following all instructions, both pre- and postoperative, is your best way of mitigating these risks.

Is gynecomastia cause for worry?

Most of the time, gynecomastia is benign. However, in some cases, it can be a symptom of a more severe condition. We perform a thorough assessment before surgery to rule out the rarer, more dangerous causes of enlarged breast tissue, such as male breast cancer or kidney disease.

What happens if I gain weight?

Most gynecomastia surgeries primarily remove glandular tissue, which can’t grow back. However, if you put on weight, you can still accumulate fat in the chest area proportionate to the rest of your body.

How old do I have to be to get gynecomastia surgery?

Temporary gynecomastia is experienced by many boys during puberty. For this reason, we suggest waiting until patients have finished growing to undergo the procedure. Also, we usually do not operate on prepubescent patients, as the issue is likely to return post puberty, necessitating a second operation. We do occasionally make exceptions for younger patients who have had early growth spurts or whose quality of life is severely affected by gynecomastia.