At our plastic surgery practice, Dr. David Durst understands that visible breasts in men can lead to significant emotional turmoil. Insecurity, depression, and a negative self-image, among other debilitating symptoms are commonly associated with overdeveloped male breasts — a condition known as gynecomastia. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Durst helps men in Huntsville reclaim their confidence and treat their gynecomastia with male breast reduction surgery. He can develop the best possible treatment plan to eliminate excess tissue and restore masculine, natural-looking chest contours.
- What is Gynecomastia?
- Male Breast Reduction Candidates
- Male Breast Reduction Procedure
- Male Breast Reduction Recovery
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia refers to overdeveloped or enlarged breast tissue in men, often resulting in embarrassment or reduced self-esteem for patients affected by the condition. Despite popular belief, many men struggle with overdeveloped breast tissue. Gynecomastia frequently resolves on its own throughout puberty, but some individuals may be afflicted with noticeable breasts well into adulthood. Although the exact cause of gynecomastia is unknown, factors like hormonal imbalances, use of certain medications, genetics, and consumption of steroids and other drugs may contribute to enlarged male breasts. If excess breast tissue doesn’t self-correct during puberty, gynecomastia is unlikely to go away without treatment.
Who is a Candidate for Male Breast Reduction?
Gynecomastia is usually harmless from a medical perspective, but the condition can cause emotional and psychological distress for male patients in many ways. If you feel like overdeveloped breast tissue is interfering with your ability to live life, male breast reduction surgery can help. You may be a good candidate for male breast reduction if you experience:
- Visible male breasts caused by excess fat or overdeveloped tissue
- Puffy or stretched nipples
- Sensitivity or tenderness near the nipples and breasts
- Self-consciousness or embarrassment related to the appearance of your chest
- A tendency to avoid taking your shirt off in locker rooms, pools, intimate situations, etc.
Men considering surgery should also be relatively healthy and near their ideal weight range. A positive outlook on the procedure and realistic expectations for the outcome are essential to the success of male breast reduction. At your consultation, Dr. Durst will evaluate your concerns and explain the treatment process so you have an informed understanding of the potential results you can expect.
How is Male Breast Reduction Surgery Performed?
There are a number of ways in which Dr. Durst can treat gynecomastia. In many cases, a combination of liposuction and surgical excision is the best solution to remove excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin. Dr. Durst performs this procedure on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. During your consultation, he will listen to your goals to create your treatment plan. Liposuction may be used alone to remove excess tissue, or act as a complement to surgical excision depending on whether your gynecomastia is caused by stubborn fat and/or excess breast tissue. In cases where gynecomastia is caused by fatty tissue alone, liposuction may be enough to achieve the desired results. Male breast reduction generally takes around one and a half to two hours to complete.
What is Recovery From Male Breast Reduction Like?
After the procedure, men who undergo male breast reduction generally describe the recovery period as very tolerable. Swelling, bruising, and general tenderness are to be expected, but should continue to resolve as time passes. Most patients return to work within 4 to 7 days of their surgery. Dr. Durst will provide detailed post-operative instructions related to activity restrictions, wound care, and your healing timeline after the procedure. In general, you should avoid exercise and doing anything strenuous for four to six weeks. Dr. Durst takes special care to make incisions discreetly to minimize as much evidence of surgery as possible. With proper wound care and the use of medical-grade skin products, scarring from male breast reduction is often inconspicuous and undetectable to outside observers.
Dr. Durst and our team understand that living with visible male breasts can compromise your self-image and overall confidence. We encourage you to schedule a consultation at our Huntsville practice to learn what treatment options can help you address the condition and reclaim a more masculine appearance.
