GYNECOMASTIA

Gynecomastia, also known as enlarged male breasts, may develop in men from a variety of causes from weight gain to hormones to use of prescription and non-prescription medication. After identifying the cause or causes, treatment includes removal of excess fat and breast tissue and possibly skin from the breast mounds. Depending on the severity of the breast enlargement, treatment may include incisions around the nipple to reduce the amount of excess skin and underlying tissue or removal of fat and breast tissue by liposuction or both. 

If the large size of your breasts prevents you from wearing your favorite clothes or from wearing bathing suits or you avoid certain activities because of your appearance, you should consider a treatment of your gynecomastia to reduce your breast size. You may be a good candidate for reduction mammoplasty if you are a relatively healthy adult at a stable weight who is looking to improve the appearance of their chest. It is vital that you have realistic expectations and a positive outlook. Achieving a reduction mammoplasty is impossible without a few scars. Patients with large breasts and excess skin typically have an incision that runs around the nipple, one that runs from the nipple to beneath your breast and one beneath your breast. For patients who need a modest amount of breast tissue to improve their chest appearance, less incisions will be required. Most patients feel the scars are well worth the benefits of surgery.

BENEFITS OF SURGERY

• Can remove excess skin
• Can reposition the nipple to a higher position
• Decreases breast size
• Resume activities once avoided

WHAT TO EXPECT

Once the decision is made to move forward with surgery, our team will schedule a pre-procedure visit and help you select your surgery date.  A reduction for gynecomastia may be performed under general anesthesia, meaning you will be asleep for the operation, or may be performed using local anesthetic, meaning just the area being treated in numbed. Surgery typically take about one and half to two hours to complete for larger reductions. You may have a scar around your nipple, one from your nipple to under your breast and one beneath your breast.  For patients who require a smaller amount of breast tissue removal, surgery may be performed in under oral sedation and local anesthetic. Most patients find the benefits outweigh the scars.  You will go home the same day as surgery to recover. We recommend you plan for extra help around the house for the days following your procedure as you adjust and recover. Recovery for each patient varies and depends on your lifestyle. 

YOUR CONSULTATION

If you are considering treatment for gynecomastia or wondering if it may be the right procedure for you, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Szymanski to review your goals and desired results. It is important that you understand and have realistic expectations for the procedure before moving forward. Dr. Szymanski may have you undress to more fully evaluate the area and talk through you concerns. Deciding if a plastic surgery procedure is the right choice for you is your individual decision. We want you to feel comfortable and confident throughout the process. Before your first consultation with our office, we recommend you write down any questions you have and bring your list with you. It can also be beneficial to bring someone with you who is supportive and a good listener. If you find you have a lot of questions after your consultation, a second appointment to address your questions with Dr. Szymanski is always an option. Schedule your consultation today.