Breasts. They are a feature of the female body. Men, they don’t have breasts. They have muscles. At least this is how we expect it to be. If you’re a man living with overgrown breasts, you know that we don’t always get what we expect.
Breasts. They are a feature of the female body. Men, they don’t have breasts. They have muscles. At least this is how we expect it to be. If you’re a man living with overgrown breasts, you know that we don’t always get what we expect. Male breast enlargement is not nearly as uncommon as people think. We meet a lot of men who have spent far too long either living with self-consciousness or working tirelessly to diet and exercise their “man boobs” away. As much as we wish it were that easy to correct the condition known as gynecomastia, it isn’t. However, male breast enlargement can be corrected.
There are two forms of gynecomastia: true gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia. The latter may be related to excess weight and the expansion of fatty tissue in the breast area. The former may have started out as a weight-related issue, or it may have nothing to do with weight whatsoever. True gynecomastia may range from puffy nipples to full, sagging breasts. It may affect one breast or both. Regardless of its manifestation, one thing we know about gynecomastia is that it can wreck a man’s sense of confidence. That’s why we offer male breast reduction in our Cleveland area office.
What Causes Gynecomastia?
If gynecomastia is not a weight issue, and it’s not breast cancer, then why do some men get enlarged breasts? This medically-benign condition often stems from a disruption in a man’s hormone balance. The balance of testosterone to estrogen can be thrown off by weight, yes, as well as genetics, aging, and the consumption of alcohol or certain drugs. A thyroid problem may also contribute to a shift in hormones. A plastic surgeon conducts a thorough medical history with each patient and may recommend certain lab tests to determine if there is an underlying health condition causing breast enlargement. Even if there is, and even if that problem is treated, the appearance of the breasts may not change.
Treating Gynecomastia
To date, plastic surgery has been the most effective method of treating gynecomastia. Many men can achieve excellent results via liposuction of the chest. This minimally-invasive procedure suctions fat cells from the breast area to reveal the muscle tone beneath. Surgery may be necessary in some cases to remove the glandular tissue beneath fat cells, to tighten loose and sagging skin, or both. Downtime after any gynecomastia procedure is minimal. Patients may be back to work in 10 to 14 days, and can resume chest exercises after about six weeks. The results of surgery are permanent and, with healthy lifestyle habits, the shape of the chest is much easier to maintain.
Gynecomastia can be a thing of the past. To learn more about our treatment options, contact us at 440-459-0007.