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Gynecomastia or Male Breast Reduction

Fairbanks Plastic Surgery Gynecomastia or Male Breast Reduction

About this procedure

Gynecomastia is an enlargement of the male breast, and is sometimes jokingly referred to as “man boobs.” Gynecomastia is not an common deformity and can be a source of discomfort and embarrassment for men who are afflicted with it.

Male breasts are vestigial anatomic remnants. In other words, they have no practical function. Gynecomastia is a condition in which there can be an abnormal response of the male breast glandular tissue to normal levels of circulating hormones. This results in an enlarged disc of breast tissue behind the nipple, causing enlarged, frequently painful breasts and protuberant nipples. The definitive treatment for gynecomastia is the surgical removal of the breast glandular tissue while preserving the nipple.

The goal of this operation is to create a flat breast area. This can be accomplished through a small incision around the pigmented area of the nipple and the adjacent skin. The problematic disc of tissue is then removed, leaving a small pad of breast tissue under the nipple to ensure adequate blood circulation and to avoid indentation of the nipple. The perimeter of the cavity is then adjusted with liposuction, if necessary, to make a smooth transition. After the disc of unwanted breast tissue is removed, it is sent to a pathologist for examination. The incisions are closed with fine sutures underneath the skin so there are no visible stitch marks. The scars will disappear in a short period of time. This procedure is predictable and has a high degree of patient satisfaction.

When male breast enlargement is caused by excess fatty tissue only, the condition is treated by liposuction, followed by elastic compression. This is also a highly successful operation, bringing satisfactory results to the patient.

Following corrective surgery, the patient will feel more comfortable when taking off his shirt in the locker room, and less self-conscious when shirtless in a swimming pool or at the beach.

Gynecomastia

male breast reduction before and after
15 year old male with glandular breast enlargement. Patient underwent subcutaneous mastectomy for the correction of male gynecomastia.

Male Breast Enlargement (Right Unilateral)

male breast reduction before and after
24 year old male with right breast glandular hyperplasia (unilatera gynecomastia). Correction was achieved by subcutaneous mastectomy through a nipple incision.

Fatty Breast Enlargement

male breast reduction before and after
42 year old male whose breast enlargement was corrected using liposuction alone.

Fat and Glandular Breast Enlargement

male breast reduction before and after
40-year-old male whose breast enlargement was corrected by gland excision and liposuction.

If you are a man with overly prominent breasts and would like this deformity corrected, be sure to call Fairbanks Plastic Surgery at (801) 268-8838 and schedule an appointment for a consultation/examination.

*All before and after photos are real patients of Fairbanks Plastic Surgery. Identifiable images are used with patient permission.