Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction)

Every year we treat a number of men that have gynecomastia. In my practice I have found that there are several groups of patients that have gynecomastia surgery.

One is the weight loss patients. A lot of men after losing a great deal of weight find themselves with a lot of loose saggy skin. There are surgeries that we can do to remove this extra skin and restore them to an aesthetically attractive shape. There are commonly longer scars for the weight loss patients as more skin is needed to be tailored.

The next group is the more common gynecomastia that arises with puberty.

There are several causes of gynecomastia including puberty as well as anabolic steroids and marijuana. I have certainly seen all these groups in my practice.

Treatment of this form of gynecomastia can range from liposuction to also requiring a small incision around the areola or possibly even a lift. Which one of those options is best depends on the degree of breasts tissue and extra skin that the patient has.

Anytime someone has gynecomastia it is important to consider endocrinological causes such as testicular tumors. As need we routinely order labs and evaluate patients to make sure there is no other cause of the gynecomastia.