Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Gynecomastia Treatment in Asheville, NC
Gynecomastia, or enlarged male breasts, is an incredibly common condition affecting men. However, just because 50-65% of boys and men may experience gynecomastia during their lives does not mean it is easy for a man to deal with having enlarged breasts.
If you would like a flatter, firmer and more masculine chest, male breast reduction surgery can improve your chest shape and help you regain confidence in your appearance. A relatively simple surgical procedure with a high satisfaction rate, breast reduction for men is an effective gynecomastia treatment that can offer instant results and virtually undetectable scars. Over 24,500 men underwent this treatment in 2022, making it one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries for men in the United States.
- What causes enlarged male breasts?
- Why have a male breast reduction surgery?
- Am I a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery?
- Why choose Dr. Conway for your gynecomastia treatment
- Procedures for male breast reduction
- Recovery
- Results
- Frequently Asked Questions
What causes gynecomastia?
This is a good question that is not always easy to answer. While hormonal changes can be a factor, gynecomastia experienced during infancy or adolescence typically resolves as a boy completes these growth stages. Certain illnesses or drug use, such as anabolic steroid use, can sometimes cause male breasts to enlarge. For obese patients, losing weight can alleviate gynecomastia symptoms, but in many cases excess fat and skin remains around the breast even after reaching a healthy body weight.
More often than not, there is no known cause for gynecomastia. While not usually dangerous, the condition can negatively affect a man’s self-image.
Why have male breast reduction surgery?
If you suffer from gynecomastia, you know how frustrating it can be to have puffy, feminine breasts as a man, especially if you work hard to take care of your body through a healthy diet and exercise. If you are nervous about removing your shirt in public, or you avoid social situations because you are embarrassed by your chest, a male breast reduction procedure with Asheville plastic surgeon Dr. Donald Conway can effectively remove excess fat and help you achieve a more naturally masculine chest shape, allowing you to enjoy relationships and activities with greater confidence.
Am I a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery?
- You are bothered by the appearance of your chest, due to enlarged breasts, stubborn fat deposits, or puffy nipples. A male breast reduction will remove excess tissue for a flatter, firmer chest appearance, but will not enhance pectoral tone.
- You are at a healthy, stable body weight. Fluctuations in weight can affect the results, so it is important to be at a weight you are happy with before undergoing gynecomastia treatment.
- Your gynecomastia is not caused by a known substance or condition. Before having this surgery, confirm with your physician that your gynecomastia is not linked to an underlying health problem or drug use.
- The appearance of your chest has prevented you from fully participating in activities you enjoy. There is no need to let “man boobs” keep you from enjoying life to the fullest, and a male breast reduction can help.
Patient Gallery » See Male Breast Reduction results
Why choose Dr. Conway for your gynecomastia treatment
Dr. Donald Conway
As a board certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience, Asheville plastic surgeon Dr. Donald Conway has performed thousands of cosmetic procedures. His prior training as a medical illustrator developed his sense of symmetry, proportion, and natural contours of the human body. This unique combination of training and experience gives Dr. Conway a keen ability to make subtle adjustments in chest contour that help enhance a man’s overall physique. During a consultation with Dr. Conway, he will listen to your goals and incorporate those goals into a personal treatment plan.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Reduced Breast Size: The procedure effectively reduces the size of enlarged male breasts, addressing the core concern of gynecomastia.
- Improved Chest Contour: Gynecomastia surgery flattens and enhances the chest contour, providing a more traditionally masculine chest appearance.
- Physical Activity Comfort: Reduced breast size can make physical activities, especially those involving chest movement, more comfortable and less self-conscious.
- Permanent Results: The removal of excess breast tissue provides long-term results, barring significant weight gain or hormonal changes.
- Anesthesia: Medication used during surgery to prevent pain; can be either local (numbing a specific area) or general (inducing sleep).
- Excision: The surgical removal of tissue; in gynecomastia surgery, it involves removing excess glandular tissue.
- Glandular Tissue: The breast tissue primarily responsible for the overdevelopment of male breasts in gynecomastia.
- Gynecomastia: A medical condition characterized by the enlargement of breast tissue in males, often due to hormonal imbalances, medication, or other causes.
- Hormonal Imbalance: A common cause of gynecomastia, where there is an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone levels in the male body.
- Incisions: Surgical cuts made in the skin; in gynecomastia surgery, they are typically made around the areolas or within the natural contours of the chest to minimize visible scarring.
- Liposuction: A surgical technique used to remove fat; often employed in gynecomastia surgery to remove excess fatty tissue from the chest.
- Male Breast Reduction: Another term for gynecomastia surgery, focusing on reducing the size of enlarged male breasts.
- Mammogram: A breast X-ray used for screening and diagnosis of breast conditions; can be used to evaluate the breast tissue in gynecomastia cases.
- Pseudogynecomastia: A condition where the enlargement of male breasts is due to excess fatty tissue rather than glandular breast tissue.
- Recovery Time: The period post-surgery during which patients heal, commonly involving rest and limited physical activity.
- Skin Elasticity: The ability of the skin to tighten after the removal of glandular or fatty tissue; an important factor in the aesthetic outcome of gynecomastia surgery.
Procedures for male breast reduction
Dr. Conway individualizes his approach to male breast reduction surgery based on the nature and amount of tissue removal needed to restore a more normal chest appearance. His goal is to create the most natural contour possible using the least invasive procedure option that will achieve the desired results. These body contouring procedures can be performed using local or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of surgery. For your safety, Dr. Conway operates in his accredited, private surgery suite in Asheville, NC.
Liposuction only
When appropriate, Dr. Conway will use liposuction for male breast reduction. This is the least invasive option that leaves only 1 or 2 tiny scars on each side of the chest, usually located near the armpit or another hard-to-notice location in the natural contours of the chest. The best candidates for a liposuction-only male breast reduction are men whose enlarged breasts are mainly composed of fatty tissue and who have good skin contraction. Liposuction allows Dr. Conway to selectively remove fat with a tiny cannula during surgery, sculpting a better shape throughout the chest area.
Liposuction with tissue excision
If both fat and glandular tissue need to be removed, Dr. Conway may combine liposuction with surgical tissue excision. Incisions for this procedure vary depending on the extent of tissue removal needed as well as a patient’s anatomy, but Dr. Conway takes care to place incisions in inconspicuous locations whenever possible. A common incision site for liposuction is around the outer edge of the areola.
Severe gynecomastia may require an additional incision, either along the fold underneath the natural breast area, or extending from the bottom of the areola to the bottom of the breast fold, as well as skin removal. Dr. Conway will help you understand the most appropriate surgery option for you during your consultation.
Combining body contouring procedures
During your consultation with Dr. Conway, he may suggest combining procedures to better help you improve your condition and achieve your ideal results. Common procedures that may be combined with a male breast reduction are tummy tuck or body lift. A tummy tuck procedure, for example, combined with a breast reduction, could help patients that have lost weight and still have excess fat or skin on their torso as well.
Recovering from this procedure
Most patients experience little pain and require only a short amount of downtime after male breast reduction with Dr. Conway. Depending on the extent of the procedure, many patients return to a desk job within 3 to 5 days after surgery and find they do not need medication other than Tylenol to keep them comfortable.
During your recovery, you will be required to wear a compression garment for a week or two following surgery. It can be removed to shower. Light activity can be resumed in about a week, and more strenuous exercise can typically be resumed after 2 to 3 weeks.
While you may notice some swelling in the chest during the first few weeks after surgery, this should subside gradually, and you will notice a much-improved appearance to your chest within the first month.
Results
You can expect to see initial improvements in the contoured areas shortly after your procedure; however, it’s important to note that swelling and bruising may temporarily obscure the final outcome. Most patients begin to see the true results of their surgery within a few weeks, with continued improvement over the next several months. Final results are usually visible within three to six months after the surgery, once all swelling has subsided and the chest has fully healed.
Results from male breast reduction surgery are typically long-lasting, often permanent, if you maintain a stable weight and practice a healthy lifestyle in the years following your procedure. To ensure you are getting the most out of your results, it is essential that you follow the post-operative care instructions provided by your plastic surgeon to a T. This includes wearing compression garments as recommended, adhering to a healthy diet and exercise regimen, and avoiding activities that could strain the chest area during your recovery period. These steps will ensure you are maximizing the results of your procedure so you can enjoy them for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if it’s fat or gynecomastia?
Most men have a combination of excess fat and glandular tissue, and differentiating between fat accumulation and gynecomastia involves assessing the tissue type beneath the skin. Fat feels soft and is more widespread across the chest, while gynecomastia is characterized by a firmer, more localized mass directly beneath the nipple area. Consulting with a qualified plastic surgeon or medical professional is the best way to get an accurate diagnosis.
Can gynecomastia resolve on its own?
In some cases, gynecomastia can resolve on its own, especially if it’s related to hormonal changes during adolescence; the condition often improves without intervention within six months to two years. However, persistent gynecomastia, especially if it’s due to other factors like medication use, obesity, or aging, might require medical or surgical treatment.
What areas can male breast reduction treat?
Male breast reduction surgery primarily targets the excess fat, glandular tissues, and excess skin in areas in and around the chest. It can also address concerns related to the nipples, including resizing and repositioning them to achieve a more proportionate appearance on the newly contoured chest.
How much will my male breast reduction procedure cost?
The cost of gynecomastia treatment in Asheville will vary based on the extent of the procedure required to achieve your desired results. At your consultation with Dr. Conway, you will be given an all-inclusive fee quote that covers surgical fees, operating room fees, implant costs, and anesthesia costs. We also offer financing options to help you pay for your male breast reduction surgery.
Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Donald Conway has been helping men in Western NC look great and feel confident for over 20 years alongside the expert staff at his plastic surgery center in Asheville, NC. His exceptional skill and experience make him an expert in procedures that treat gynecomastia. If you are struggling with enlarged male breasts, book a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Conway online or call (828) 210-9333 to discuss your personal treatment plan.
References »
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Gynecomastia Surgery. Accessed 07/17/2024.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2022 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. Accessed 07/17/2024.
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Cuhaci N, Polat SB, Evranos B, Ersoy R, Cakir B. Gynecomastia: Clinical evaluation and management. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Mar;18(2):150-8. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.129104.
Cleveland Clinic. Gynecomastia: What It Is, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment. Updated 07/09/2024. Accessed 07/17/2024.
Harold E. Carlson. Approach to the Patient with Gynecomastia, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Volume 96, Issue 1, 1 January 2011, Pages 15–21, https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2010-1720.
Taheri AR, Farahvash MR, Fathi HR, Ghanbarzadeh K, Faridniya B. The Satisfaction Rate among Patients and Surgeons after Periareolar Surgical Approach to Gynecomastia along with Liposuction. World Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2016 Sep;5(3):287-292.
