Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia Treatment)
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a non-serious but often psychologically distressing condition in men characterized by excessive breast tissue. This is common in adolescence, and typically improves over time, however, it also affects older men. If gynecomastia does not improve, patients may experience self-esteem issues and social difficulties. The board-certified plastic surgeons at Hankins & Sohn Plastic Surgery Associates in Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada are highly experienced in male plastic surgery. They understand that this concern can be sensitive, and they offer discreet, compassionate, and effective treatment to address this issue.1
For more information about gynecomastia and male breast reduction, or to schedule a private, complimentary consultation, please contact us today.
What Are the Gynecomastia Treatment Options?
Your consultation will begin with a physical examination. Depending on gynecomastia classification and severity, there are several treatment options available to men with gynecomastia. If only fatty glandular tissue is causing the appearance of enlarged breasts, liposuction alone can often be used to reduce the size of the breasts. Ultrasonic-assisted liposuction (UAL) is often used to help break up the dense fibrous tissue present in the male breast. If there is also suspected breast glandular tissue present, our experience has been that this does not typically respond solely to UAL but must be directly excised via a small incision around the bottom portion of the areola. If excessive skin is also present in addition to fatty tissue, this extra skin can be excised to shape the chest into more masculine contours.
What Is the Male Breast Reduction Procedure Like?
For most cases of gynecomastia, the reduction procedure can be completed in-office under local anesthesia. However, if more extensive treatment is necessary, or if you are uncomfortable with the thought of being awake for a procedure, it will be performed under a general anesthetic. For liposuction, a few small incisions are made to allow the cannulas (tubes) to be placed and to remove the unwanted fatty tissue. If a breast reduction procedure is performed, a small incision will be made on the bottom half of the areola (the pigmented part of the nipple), and tissue will be trimmed away. If needed, excess skin will be removed, which will require an additional incision running from the areola to the underside of the breast fold. Oftentimes liposuction will be used in conjunction with this method. Both techniques are generally completed as outpatient operations, so you should be able to return home the same day as your surgery.
What Is Gynecomastia Surgery Recovery Like?
Recovery is typically between three-to-seven days, although if skin is removed your downtime may be longer. A compression garment will usually be worn to help reduce swelling and to allow the skin to retract for approximately six weeks. Some discomfort, bruising, and swelling following the surgery are normal, and we will provide prescription medication to manage your pain.
Planning Your Gynecomastia Procedure*
Average Procedure Time:
1 – 2 hours
Average Recovery Time:
1 – 2 weeks
Post-Op Consultation:
2 months
*Your treatment plan at Hankins & Sohn Plastic Surgery Associates will be customized to meet your needs and your individual experience will vary depending on a number of factors. All information provided on this page is an estimate of typical time and cost and does not represent an offer or guarantee of pricing or availability. Please schedule a consultation appointment to discuss which options may apply to you.
FAQs About Gynecomastia Surgery
What Causes Gynecomastia?
Obesity is the most common cause of gynecomastia and breast enlargement in men, however, changes in hormone levels, rising estrogen levels (the female hormone), or low testosterone levels, as well as certain diseases like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, cirrhosis, and thyroid disease can also cause gynecomastia. The condition can also be caused by certain syndromes, including Klinefelter syndrome, hyperthyroidism, hypogonadism, tumors of the testes, adrenal, or pituitary glands, genetic disorders, or as a side effect of medications like certain inhibitors, spironolactone, calcium channel blockers, diazepam (Valium), cimetidine (Tagamet), anti-androgens, and tricyclic antidepressants, anabolic steroid use, marijuana use, as well as herbals like tea tree oil and illegal drugs like amphetamines and can also cause gynecomastia.3
Can Gynecomastia Return?
Depending on the cause of the condition, glandular and/or fatty tissue could recur after surgical treatment of gynecomastia. Our plastic surgeons will discuss this possibility with you during your initial consultation and provide advice on how to prevent this event as much as possible. Maintaining a stable weight and living a healthy, active lifestyle can help. If a medical condition or hormonal changes contributed to your issue, your primary care physician or a specialist should be able to assist in your treatment to minimize the risk of gynecomastia.
What Will Gynecomastia Surgery Scars Look Like?
We understand that you want to feel more comfortable about the way your chest looks and having noticeable scars can affect that goal. We make every effort to leave as few surgical marks as possible, and most patients heal very well. That said, it is impossible to perform scarless surgery for gynecomastia. We offer a number of laser skin resurfacing options that can be used to diminish the appearance of scars, and for many individuals, this can achieve a smooth result with relatively unnoticeable signs of treatment. We can show you before-and-after photos to give you a good idea of what to expect once you’ve healed.
How Much Does Gynecomastia Treatment Cost?
This cost can vary from patient to patient. Additional expenses, such as anesthesiology fees, hospital fees, and medical tests, can increase this number. The price of gynecomastia treatment may also be partly or fully covered by your medical insurance, depending on your plan. We suggest speaking with your agent to determine if your benefits might apply. If you are paying out of pocket and wish to consider plastic surgery financing, we work with several prominent lending institutions that offer affordable rates and appealing terms. We can tell you more about them, if you’re interested, during your initial consultation.4
Do Men With Gynecomastia Have An Increased Risk Of Breast Cancer?
No, breast cancer is extremely rare in men and is not linked to gynecomastia. However, our surgeons will often do a biopsy, blood test, or mammogram to rule it out if there is any suspicion given your history and physical presentation.
Schedule A Consultation For Gynecomastia Surgery
Our experienced Las Vegas gynecomastia surgeons can evaluate you to see if you are an ideal candidate for male breast reduction. Contact our offices at (702) 948-7595 to schedule your complimentary appointment today.
1 Mayo Clinic. Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia). Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gynecomastia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351793. Accessed May 15, 2020.
2 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What are the steps of a gynecomastia procedure. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/gynecomastia-surgery/procedure. Accessed May 15, 2020.
3 Johns Hopkins. Gynecomastia. Available: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/gynecomastia. Accessed December 16, 2022.
4 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. How much does gynecomastia surgery cost? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/gynecomastia-surgery/cost. Accessed May 15, 2020
This content has either been authored or reviewed and approved by the doctors at Hankins & Sohn Plastic Surgery Associates.