It’s a quiet truth that many men undergo breast reduction surgery. Extra breast tissue growth occurs in about 40 percent of males at some point during their lifetime – it’s a medical condition called gynecomastia.
A man’s abnormal breast growth is usually caused by a hormonal imbalance in the estrogen and testosterone levels. It is not physically dangerous, but it can be a bit painful and can be awfully embarrassing for the boy or the man who is affected.
Gynecomastia tends to appear first at puberty, and then it usually goes away on its own. However, it can continue to affect males between the teenage years into the senior years. Gynecomastia can also occur due to certain medications.
But it doesn’t have to continue unabated. It can indeed be treated and reduced medically through breast reduction surgery.
Why Do Men Grow Breasts?
Men and women produce two main types of sex hormones. Testosterone is the main male hormone and estrogen is the female hormone, but each is present in both genders. Gynecomastia appears in men who have an elevated level of estrogen.
Gynecomastia exhibits as a firm mass of tissue that surrounds a man’s nipple. In about 50 percent of the cases, gynecomastia appears in both breasts.
Gynecomastia often goes misdiagnosed or even undiagnosed due to the stigma surrounding the condition. Men and boys are often embarrassed to seek information from their doctor, and so they miss out on effective treatment.
Another reason why gynecomastia goes undiagnosed is because of its similarity to other conditions. Gynecomastia increases glandular tissue in the breast, but pseudogynecomastia is simply extra fat that has deposited in the area of the breast.
Pseudogynecomastia often occurs simply from being overweight. However, losing weight won’t necessarily fix the situation, in which case surgery is the best remedy.
What Is Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
In this type of cosmetic surgery, the physician removes the excess fat and/or reduces the excess glandular tissue. The surgeon will likely make an incision around the areola (around the nipple) or go through the armpit to remove the excess tissue, fat, and skin.
In some cases, a breast reduction is completed via liposuction. Breast reduction is performed on adult men, and it is also usually safe for teenagers who might be embarrassed by their appearance.
Surgical treatment is the only method for gynecomastia that is proven to be consistently effective, and it is usually permanent according to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. The results are greater self-confidence as well as a reduction in physical discomfort due to heavy breasts.
Plastic Surgery in New Jersey
If you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your chest area, or if you have a teenager who struggles with the emotional aspects of gynecomastia or other physical issues, contact us today. Dr. Louis Iorio of Iorio Plastic Surgery & CosMedical Center will consult with you to determine the proper procedure to best treat your condition.
We have two locations for your convenience. Call our Colts Neck office at 732-780-9191 or our Brick location at 732-458-7400. You can also fill out our online appointment request form now. We look forward to helping you feel great about how you look.