Males with over-developed breasts, a condition known as gynecomastia, can feel self-conscious about their bodies. Although a large number of men, nearly 60% of men, experience some form of gynecomastia over the course of their lives, it can be a source of great emotional discomfort. Often it occurs in adolescent boys and disappears over a few months or years, but in others it may be permanent. Causes of an enlarged male breast include puberty, obesity, aging, certain medications and steroid use. It may also be due to an underlying medical condition such as tumors, a genetic disorder, chronic liver disease, hyperthyroidism, Klinefelter Syndrome or Gilbert’s Syndrome.

Although weight loss and exercise can help to alleviate an enlarged male breast in cases of obesity, in other cases plastic surgery is necessary to remove the localized fat and/or excess glandular tissue.

The Male Breast Reduction Procedure

Male breast reduction surgery typically takes an hour and a half to two hours under local anesthesia. If the condition is caused primarily by fatty tissue, liposuction may be a suitable treatment technique. With liposuction, a narrow, hollow tube called a cannula is inserted through a small incision, made around the edge of the areola or in the underarm, and moved back and forth in a controlled fashion. The fat is dislodged and extracted through a vacuum device attached to the cannula.In cases of excessive glandular tissue, it may be excised with a scalpel through an incision made around the areola or in the underarm. The tissue, fat and extra skin are removed and the incision is closed with sutures, surgical adhesive or surgical tape. Liposuction can be performed in conjunction with this method.At Aesthetic Specialty Centre Plastic Surgery & Dermatology, we understand what a sensitive issue gynecomastia can be. ASC-PSD is conveniently located near Atlanta, Georgia. Contact our Roswell or Greensboro location to set up a consultation.