Gynecomastia is a condition that causes males to have the appearance of breasts. As a man, if you experience this condition, you may feel hesitant about baring your chest and feel self-conscious about your chest even while clothed. That’s completely understandable! Know that you are not alone. Boys and men alike commonly develop gynecomastia. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, about 50-60 percent of adolescent boys develop some degree of male breast tissue. For most of them, the chest flattens with age as hormones stabilize in their late teens or early twenties. Among adult males, about 1 in 4 between the ages of 50 and 80 experience breast enlargement, according to Cleveland Clinic.
All that being said, you may want to treat the condition regardless of how common it is. Once you’ve been evaluated by your doctor for underlying conditions and cleared, you may decide to pursue cosmetic surgery to flatten the breast tissue. The two most common techniques are:
Removal of breast fat only: Sometimes it’s excess fat alone that is causing the appearance of male breasts. Liposuction is used to remove the stubborn extra fat. The thin, narrow tube to perform the procedure is inserted through tiny circular incisions. Once they heal, the incisions will leave minimal scars.
Removal of glandular tissue: Certain cases of gynecomastia include not only excess fat, but excess glandular tissue as well. A small incision made at the margin of the areola is utilized to surgically remove this tissue. It may be combined with liposuction if both fat and gland tissue are contributing to the appearance of breasts.
One of these surgical options is typically adequate to resolve most cases of gynecomastia. The only way to know for sure is to visit us for a consultation.
Take the Next Step toward a Firm, Masculine Chest
Although gynecomastia can be disappointing to live with, there are solutions available! If you are interested in male breast reduction in New Jersey, please call American Surgical Arts in Mullica Hill at 856-362-8898. We are happy to arrange a consultation for you with one of our experienced cosmetic surgeons, Dr. Sean Bidic, Dr. Vinay Gundlapalli or Dr. Casey Gene Sheck.