A Look at Gynecomastia and Male Breast Reduction Surgery

Gynecomastia is a condition found in males whereby the male breast is enlarged and may resemble that of a woman's. It can be a very embarrassing condition for a boy or man and many decide to look closer at male breast reduction surgery as a means of returning their chest to a more masculine appearance.

The word gynecomastia is a word that comes from the Greek root and it means women-like breasts. Male breast enlargement is somewhat of a mystery to doctors. This condition has no known cause although it has been linked with other health conditions and certain types of drugs.

There are two types of gynecomastia that a man may wish to undergo a male breast reduction procedure to correct. The primary form of it usually gets its start when a boy enters puberty. The secondary form of it is believed to have some type of underlying cause, such as the use of steroids, marijuana or the consumption of alcohol. Secondary gynecomastia may also be the result of obesity. As many as 60 percent of men can develop this condition. It may affect one breast or both breasts.

For those male patients who are obese or who drink excessive amounts of alcohol, or who use marijuana or steroids the doctor will recommend that they make changes to their lifestyle to see if the fullness in the breast is reduced. If that does not help the condition then the male breast reduction surgery can be considered.

Men who have primary gynecomastia that is not related to how they live and got its start in their youth can speak with a plastic surgeon to find out what their options are in terms of surgery. This may be something that parents wish to look into before their son is out of his teens or it is something an adult male can do for himself.

The individuals who make the most suitable candidates for male breast reduction procedures must already have skin in their chest area that is firm and elastic enough to bounce back into place following the healing period. The skin will be reshaped during the surgery to a new contour that is flatter in appearance.

The plastic surgery operation for the treatment of gynecomastia is most often done on an outpatient basis. It generally takes the surgeon roughly an hour and a half to perform the procedure.

The correction of breasts that are enlarged in a man can take place under general anesthesia, or it can take place under local anesthesia that includes sedation. The plastic surgeon who will be performing the work for the patient will discuss with them which type of anesthesia would be most appropriate for the approach to the operation that will be taken. The operation will involve the removal of glandular tissue or fat from the breast area. In some cases and upon the surgeon's discretion, additional skin may need to be removed.