Why Are Male Breast Reductions on the Rise?

Even though it has become a more widely known issue, male breast reduction and gynecomastia are still uncomfortable subjects for many men, young and old alike. Inside a plastic surgery office anywhere in the country, however, these terms have entered the everyday lexicon as more and more male patients are seeking help. Fueled by the gynecomastic diagnosis, male breast reductions are definitely on the rise. Like it or not, talking about your concerns is the first step toward tackling the problem.

What You Need to Know About Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is a condition that causes enlarged breast tissue on the male body. It is believed to be a direct result of a hormonal imbalance, which can be caused by a number of factors. Some mediations, medical conditions, hormone therapies, weight gain, anabolic steroids, and hereditary factors have been linked to this type of imbalance. Some cases are very mild and may go unnoticed for a man’s entire life. In other situations, the breast tissue is larger and more defined. Gynecomastia can strike during puberty or later in life, as a man’s hormones shift.

Many teenage boys and young men are left with female-like breasts, which can be emotionally difficult. No male at any age wants to hear they have “man boobs,” as the saying goes, as this can lead to huge problems with self-esteem and self-confidence. Boys may be teased in school; men may get teased when they take off their shirt at the beach. Gynecomastia can damage much more than a man’s chest; it can have a tremendous psychological impact on him as he grows, develops, and learns to interact with his peers.

Thanks to increased media attention as of late, gynecomastia is gaining recognition as a legitimate problem for teenaged and adult men alike. Still, the medical community is continuing to learn more about this condition, what causes it, and how it can be managed.

How Male Breast Reduction Can Help

While primary care doctors and other medical specialists are working through the cause of your gynecomastia, they won’t be able to reverse the damage that has already been done. If you’re able to get your hormones in check and stop any further breast tissue growth, it’s time to consult with a plastic surgeon who specializes in male breast reduction. This surgery can remove the excess breast tissue in order to achieve a flatter, more masculine chest.

The male breast reduction surgery takes a similar approach to a standard breast reduction, during which female patients reduce the volume of their own breasts to a more manageable size. In a male breast reduction, however, your surgeon will look to remove as much of the breast tissue as possible to completely eliminate the presence of breasts from your body. Gynecomastia patients will have both this excess tissue and the glandular tissue removed from the breast, after which the surgeon will create a more natural contour that better suits your physique.

About Recovering From Male Breast Reduction

After your male breast reduction surgery, you’ll have to take some time to rest and heal before you can get back to life as normal. You will likely experience only mild to moderate discomfort, which can be managed with the pain medication your plastic surgeon prescribed you. You will need to rest in the first few days, then gradually add on some of your regular activities. Avoid strenuous labor, vigorous exercise, and other intense activity for about two or three weeks. Your plastic surgeon will give you clear guidelines about what is allowed and what is not, so just make sure you follow his instructions closely to have a smooth recovery.

The Ideal Candidate for Male Breast Reduction

Any male patient who is unhappy with the volume of breast tissue present on his chest could be a candidate for a male breast reduction. There isn’t a magical amount of breast tissue needed to perform the surgery. There is, however, an expectation that you will have a clear understanding of the procedure and reasonable goals for your surgery. You should be in otherwise good physical health. You should also have a handle on the problem that has caused your condition, or your gynecomastia is likely to create more breast enlargements in the future. Talk with your plastic surgeon about whether or not you are a good candidate for male breast reduction surgery and what steps you should take to say goodbye to gynecomastia once and for all.

Start Planning Your Gynecomastia Breast Reduction

If you’ve finally had enough of your enlarged breasts, it’s time to do something about it. Dr. Ronald Lohner is an experienced and board certified plastic surgeon based in Philadelphia who offers male breast reductions to his patients as a solution for gynecomastia. He completed his undergraduate education at Dartmouth College and medical school at UMDNJ-Rutgers. Currently, Dr. Lohner is Chief of Plastic Surgery at Bryn Mawr Hospital and holds a faculty appointment at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine. His peers have selected him as a Philadelphia-area Top Doctor for the last eight years. His office is located at [primary_address] in [primary_city], [primary_statefull], on the Main Line. Please call his office at [primary_phone] to schedule a consultation for your liposuction procedure.