Gynecomastia is a condition of enlarged or overdeveloped breasts in men. It is a common condition seen in men of all ages. Gynecomastia may be due to hormonal changes, weight gain, medical diseases and drugs. Gynecomastia may be present in one or both breasts. It is characterized by excess fat and/or glandular tissue.

Emotional discomfort and self-consciousness is often associated with gynecomastia. Some men may avoid certain activities to hide their condition. Male breast reduction for gynecomastia removes breast tissue, excess fat and skin from a man’s chest.

During your initial consultation with Dr. Wendy-Ann Olivier at Medical First New York Cosmetics, she will thoroughly discuss your desires and expectations for male breast reduction with you. After a comprehensive history and physical examination, Dr. Olivier will review the surgical options and recommend the one that she thinks is best of your body type. Dr. Olivier will discuss specific instructions for preparing for surgery, including diet and medication requirements. She will also clearly explain your post-surgery needs so that you can prepare in advance.

Male breast reduction (gynecomastia) surgery produces the specific goals of:

• Removing breast tissue
• Removing excess fat
• Removing excess skin
• Enhancing self image

Male Breast Reduction Q & A

How is the procedure performed?
There are several surgical techniques that can be used in male breast reduction and gynecomastia correction. If Dr. Olivier determines that excessive fatty tissue is the primary reason for your enlarged breasts, Dr. Olivier will use liposuction techniques through tiny incisions to remove the excess fat. If there is excess breast glandular tissue present, in addition to liposuction, a small incision is placed immediately beneath the areola (the dark skin of the nipple) to directly reduce the excess breast gland. In cases where there is considerable skin excess, or an enlarged areola size, an incision that progresses around the areola may be advised to reduce excess skin as well, and to further firm the chest.

Sutures, skin adhesives and/or surgical tape close the skin. Some incision lines resulting from male breast reduction are concealed in the natural breast contours; however, others are visible on the breast surface. Incision lines are permanent, but in most cases will fade and significantly improve over time.

What is the recovery time?
After your male breast reduction procedure is completed, dressings or bandages will be applied to the incisions. You will need to wear an elastic pressure garment for two to three weeks to minimize swelling and support you heal. A small, thin tube (drain) may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain any excess blood or fluid that may collect after breast lift surgery. The drain is usually removed in the first post-operative office visit.

Although many factors are involved with determining your actual recovery time for male breast reduction, you will likely experience a post-surgical recovery period of one week and an additional period of reduced-activity (three weeks). You will likely experience soreness and swelling for a few weeks. Exercise and normal activity can resume at the direction of Dr. Olivier. Over time, post-surgical swelling will decrease and incision lines will fade.