Gynecomastia Surgery: All Your Questions Answered

Is getting gynecomastia surgery worth it? How can it improve your quality of life? What can you expect before, during, and after the procedure? These are all important questions to consider before undergoing male breast reduction surgery.

Your physical appearance is an important part of your life and self-esteem. With the right treatment, your gynecomastia symptoms can stop interfering with your well-being, and we’re here to help with that.

Learn more about the male breast reduction procedure, how it works, and why it’s so beneficial for the right candidates.

Gynecomastia vs. Enlarged Breasts From Weight Gain

Gynecomastia is a condition that affects men, causing enlarged breasts beyond the normal size for a typical male. This increase in breast size is benign (not cancerous), but it can detract from your appearance and impact your self-confidence. There are two common types of gynecomastia.

“True” gynecomastia occurs when glandular tissue (breast tissue) overdevelops on a male chest. It can affect either one or both breasts. Glandular tissue feels harder to the touch than fatty tissue, so it’s easy to distinguish from fat gain in your chest.

Pseudogynecomastia refers to enlarged male breasts from weight gain. Fatty tissue deposits make your breasts appear larger than the average man’s.

Obesity raises your risk of developing pseudogynecomastia symptoms. This type of weight gain in your chest area comes with excess fat and, as a result, excess skin. To get the chest contours you desire after weight gain, you’ll likely need skin tightening in combination with fat removal.

What Is the Main Cause of Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is often the result of a hormonal imbalance in your body. If your estrogen levels are higher than your testosterone levels, you may develop excess breast tissue.

This type of imbalance can happen for several reasons:

• Aging

• Medications

• Underlying hormonal conditions

• Anabolic steroids

• Drugs and alcohol

• Genetic conditions

Breast surgery can change the appearance of your chest, but you must seek treatment for any underlying medical conditions as well.

Gynecomastia Surgery Overview: How Male Breast Reduction Works

Gynecomastia surgery can remove both glandular tissue and fatty tissue in men looking to reduce their breast size. It’s one of the best treatment options for this condition. This surgical procedure is designed to enhance your chest contours after removing the problematic tissue (reduction mammaplasty).

Our board-certified plastic surgeons take a three-pronged approach to this procedure:

• Removing glandular breast tissue (excision)

• Removing fatty tissue

• Tightening excess skin to contour the chest

Take a look at how each step in the process works.

Excision of Glandular Tissue

During reduction mammaplasty, surgeons make small incisions around your areolas to excise (remove) excess breast tissue. This procedure requires general anesthesia (full sedation) but is usually an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home afterwards.

Liposuction to Remove Fatty Tissue

In combined surgeries or for patients with pseudogynecomastia from obesity, liposuction is a necessary step to remove fat deposits from the chest area. Some patients do well with local anesthesia (numbing), but severe cases with lots of overgrown glandular and fatty tissue require general anesthesia.

During liposuction, your surgeon will make small incisions to gain access to the tissue. They’ll then use a cannula, which is a special suction tube, to remove the fatty tissue from your breasts.

Skin Tightening and Reconstructive Surgery

Depending on how much excess skin you have, you may need breast reconstruction with nipple repositioning to achieve optimal results. Your surgeon will tighten the skin around your breasts after removing the excess tissue. This is typically the last step in gynecomastia surgery.

Some patients also opt for non-surgical chest contouring and cosmetic services to address skin laxity. This is common after significant weight loss.

The Recovery Process

After you undergo male breast reduction, you’ll go to one of the recovery rooms in the surgery center. This is where you’ll wake up from anesthesia and receive pain medication. Medical providers will monitor your vitals and give you post-operative instructions to follow at home.

The first week after surgery is the time for rest and relaxation. You’ll wear compression garments to support the healing process. Take over-the-counter pain relievers for discomfort and swelling according to your surgeon’s instructions. Avoid lifting anything heavy or straining your chest muscles, as this can delay your recovery.

By week two, most patients are able to return to work and resume light physical activity. Most of the tenderness and swelling should be gone. Continue to avoid lifting heavy objects and avoid upper-body exercises in the gym until your provider clears you.

The full recovery time for gynecomastia surgery is between four and six weeks. Your final results may not be visible for up to three months, which is when all swelling and discoloration tend to go away.

When Should I Call the Doctor After Gynecomastia Surgery?

If you’re experiencing concerning symptoms before your follow-up appointment, call your provider’s office. Some swelling and discomfort are normal after any cosmetic surgery, but you should look out for post-op red flags like:

• Extreme pain and inflammation

• Fever

• Blood, pus, or discharge from your incisions

• Severe redness around your incisions

Your doctor can prescribe antibiotics and pain relievers as needed to address these symptoms.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Gynecomastia Surgery?

Men with enlarged breasts have often tried other treatments before choosing gynecomastia surgery. If your symptoms and chest appearance are negatively impacting your quality of life, you may be a good candidate.

Gynecomastia surgery is a great opportunity to improve your confidence and get the look you’ve always wanted. Here are some other important considerations that your provider will take into account before approving you for surgery.

Non-Smokers

You should quit smoking at least two to four weeks before any surgery. Smoking raises your risk of developing complications and infections. It can also interfere with the anesthesia (sedation) used for your procedure.

Good General Health

Your doctor will evaluate your medical history before approving you for male breast reduction surgery. They may also request bloodwork to check your hormone levels.

You should be in good general health before surgery, which means you’re free from life-threatening illnesses, infections, and complications that could make the procedure dangerous for you.

If you struggle with obesity, you may have to lose weight before surgery. Your doctor may advise you to try a reduced-calorie diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes to address this.

Balanced Hormones

Since hormonal imbalances are often the root cause behind gynecomastia, you should visit a specialist to address them before surgery. This procedure can correct aesthetic problems, but if your hormones remain unbalanced, unwanted breast tissue can come back.

If your gynecomastia symptoms are caused by prescription medications or other health problems, consult your doctor. There may be alternative medications you can use to treat your condition that don’t alter your testosterone and estrogen levels.

Continue with all medical treatments until your doctor has said otherwise. Never stop taking any prescription medication without your doctor’s approval.

Realistic Expectations

This procedure is a wonderful treatment for many men. However, you should go into surgery with appropriate expectations and remain realistic about your aesthetic goals.

It’s a great idea to look up gynecomastia surgery before-and-after pictures to see what your final results will look like. The procedure can be life-changing, but it doesn’t fundamentally change your body weight or build muscle mass in your chest. These are things you can achieve on your own, both before and after surgery.

You should also keep gynecomastia surgery costs in mind. Evaluate your budget to see if you’re a good candidate for this procedure. Some patients shift minor expenses around to accommodate gynecomastia surgery costs. The results are well worth it!

The Benefits of Choosing New Look New Life for Your Surgery

We’re well-versed in male cosmetic surgeries. At New Look New Life, we create personalized treatment plans for patients who want to enhance their appearance, boost their confidence, and address long-standing cosmetic issues. We’re the perfect choice for your gynecomastia procedure in NYC.

We tailor each procedure to your unique goals. We share your dreams of looking and feeling your best, and our board-certified surgeons have achieved wonderful outcomes for thousands of patients in NYC. Just look at our gynecomastia surgery before-and-afters to see what you can have!

Our triple-strength approach to addressing gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia ensures unwanted breast tissue, fat deposits, and loose skin all go away. With our precise techniques, you can enjoy enhanced chest aesthetics with plenty of guidance throughout your recovery process.

Book a Consultation With Us Today

The New Look New Life team of doctors is here to guide you on your aesthetic journey. We perform precise, individualized male breast reductions with reconstructions and skin tightening as needed. We even offer pectoral enhancement for those looking for additional cosmetic improvements in their chests!

Are you ready to experience enhanced chest contours and get back in touch with feelings of masculinity? Book an appointment with us today!