Male Breast Reduction

Cosmetic breast surgery is not only for women — in fact, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nearly 27,000 men received breast reduction surgery in 2017 alone. Male breast reduction surgery is an effective treatment for men struggling with gynecomastia, or male breast tissue enlargement. Gynecomastia affects approximately 200,000 American men each year, and an estimated 50% of men will experience some amount of breast tissue enlargement during their lifetime. While many of these men can reduce their breast tissue with weight loss, it’s also common for the breast tissue to become or remain enlarged due to hormone shifts or stubborn fat.

Gynecomastia can be very hard on male self-esteem. Developing enlarged breasts can lead to a feminine-looking chest that makes wearing clothing designed for men difficult or unflattering. A man struggling with gynecomastia might feel shame or embarrassment about his body, leading to a decline in confidence, overall happiness and quality of life. At Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery, we want men to feel great about themselves and their bodies — we are proud to offer male breast reduction as a simple way to correct gynecomastia and restore a more masculine physique.

What is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia typically develops due to weight gain or hormonal imbalances. Although men do not have as much natural breast tissue as women, they do carry a layer of fat with a few breast glands over their pectoral muscles. The fat in this area can grow larger just like other body fat, which will result in a feminine breast-like projection around the pectoral muscle and nipple. Typically, this kind of gynecomastia — sometimes called pseudogynecomastia — can be reduced or eliminated with a healthy lifestyle and weight loss. But when hormonal shifts accompany an increase in glandular tissue, male breasts may be harder to lose. Heightened levels of estrogen in the body trigger the enlargement of the breast glands, which also cause a similar breast-like appearance to develop — however, this increase in breast volume cannot be combated with diet and exercise.

Men with unmanaged or untreated gynecomastia can develop breasts of all shapes and sizes, including breasts that are projected enough to be visible under clothing or require support garments. While gynecomastia does not usually cause any pain or other physical health concerns, the toll it can take on self-confidence and mental health can be dramatic. Reach out to Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery to learn more about gynecomastia and male breast reduction in Coralville, Iowa. During your consultation with Dr. Kahlil Andrews, we can help you find out what your treatment options are and how you can get back to loving yourself inside and out.

Male Breast Reduction Surgery

Breast reduction surgery for gynecomastia is the most effective and long-lasting solution for breasts that appeared due to hormones or gland enlargement. During this procedure, your surgeon creates a small incision in your breast area through which they can remove excess glandular tissue. They can also remove any excess skin that may have stretched around the enlarged tissues.

There are a few techniques that surgeons can use for male breast reduction surgery, each of which uses a slightly different incision placement based on your body type, needs and goals. These techniques have been carefully practiced and developed to keep any visible scarring to a minimum — typically, scars are hidden in folds of the skin or around the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple). With male breast reduction surgery, you can achieve a flat, natural-looking chest that gives your body the masculine proportions you want.

Male Breast Reduction with Liposuction

Though rare, it is possible that your breast enlargement is primarily due to excess fat that hasn’t responded to diet and exercise. If this is determined to be the case, you might be a good candidate for breast reduction via liposuction. This minimally-invasive option uses a straw-like tool called a cannula to permanently remove fat cells and glandular tissue from your pectoral area and create a flatter chest. Liposuction breast reduction offers a faster recovery time and fewer surgical risks since it is not as invasive as a full breast reduction surgery, but it is important to understand that it is not right for everyone. In fact, it is only a small minority of men with gynecomastia who can get their best results with liposuction alone.

Some men also require a combination of gland-removing surgery and fat-removing liposuction to achieve their ideal body. If your breasts are a combination of fat and gland tissue, your surgeon might recommend using both for best results.

Contact Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery

To learn more about male breast reduction in Coralville, Iowa, contact Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery today. You can schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Andrews, who will discuss your concerns and explain the male breast reduction procedure in greater detail. Dr. Andrews proudly serves the community of Cedar Rapids and the neighboring towns of Iowa City, Cedar Falls, Dubuque, Waterloo and the Quad Cities. Call us at 319-800-6877.