gynecomastia Atlanta

May 3, 2017

Answering Some Common Questions about Male Breast Reduction & Gynecomastia

Blog, Breast Surgery, Educational, Liposuction / Body Contouring candidate for male breast reduction Atlanta, gynecomastia Atlanta, male breast enlargement Atlanta, Male breast reduction surgery atlanta, plastic surgery atlanta

For many men, the idea of breast enlargement can seem pretty embarrassing. But the truth is that male breast enlargement, or gynecomastia, is far more common than you may know. In fact, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) estimates that gynecomastia affects roughly 40% of the male population in the US. Gynecomastia can be caused by many things including hormonal changes, hereditary factors, or certain health conditions. Regardless of the cause, gynecomastia can be a source of significant frustration and self-consciousness for men of all ages.

For men who seek to rid themselves of their enlarged breasts, male breast reduction surgery may be the solution they desire. By removing excess breast tissue and fat (as well as excess skin in certain cases) male breast reduction is able to give the chest a more sculpted and masculine contour. I have witnessed firsthand the tremendous, long-lasting results this procedure is able to provide. For patients who are curious about gynecomastia and how male breast reduction can help, I have provided answers to the following commonly asked questions:

What drugs or substances can increase my risk of gynecomastia?

In addition to the causes listed above, a number of medications and drugs can potentially increase a man’s risk of developing enlarged breasts. These can include steroids, certain antibiotics, medicines used to treat heart conditions, some chemotherapy drugs, and more. Consuming alcohol or certain recreational drugs like marijuana, methamphetamine, and heroin may also lead to gynecomastia.

What ages are men potentially vulnerable to gynecomastia?

The truth is, gynecomastia can affect men from birth all throughout adulthood. For newborns, breast enlargement is caused by estrogen from the mother, though this typically goes away after about six months. For teenagers and preteen boys, breast enlargement can occur as a result of hormonal fluctuation during puberty. This too will typically correct itself over time. For adult men who experience gynecomastia, surgical intervention is typically required to minimize the symptoms.

What can I do after my male breast reduction surgery to achieve the best results?

Like any other plastic surgery procedure, it’s vital that you closely follow your surgeon’s pre and post-op instructions. After the procedure, I instruct my patients to wear a compression garment to minimize swelling and support their new chest contour as it heals. Male breast reduction patients should wait about a week before returning to work (though this depends on their job) and at least two to three weeks before exercising following their procedure.

I hope you found these answers helpful. No matter the patient’s age or the cause of their condition, I believe male breast reduction can be a life-changing procedure for men trying to achieve a more desirable contour. To discuss whether you may be a candidate for male breast reduction surgery, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, to schedule a consultation today. Or, for more of the latest plastic surgery news and helpful information, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

September 19, 2016

Chest Liposuction or Male Breast Reduction?

Blog, Breast Surgery, Educational, Liposuction Atlanta double board-certified plastic surgeon, gynecomastia Atlanta, gynecomastia surgery atlanta, liposuction atlanta, male breast reduction Atlanta

Many people see plastic surgery as holding more appeal for women than for men, with the assumption that women are more concerned about their appearance. While this is often the case, I have been seeing more and more male patients as men begin to recognize the benefits of a masculine, natural-looking cosmetic surgery result. One of the most common concerns these men want to address is chest enlargement, or male breasts. This condition, referred to as either gynecomastia (excess breast tissue) or pseudogynecomastia (excess fat), can typically be treated with great success and minimal scarring by a board-certified plastic surgeon.

While all men have some degree of glandular breast tissue, some men develop enough to form enlarged, female-like breasts. This can be caused by hormonal changes, weight fluctuations, the use of certain drugs or medications, and even heredity. But whatever the culprit may be, gynecomastia can make men feel highly self-conscious both with and without a shirt on. The condition typically doesn’t resolve on its own without cosmetic surgery, so many patients ask, “how do I know if I can just have liposuction to remove the fat or if I need to have breast tissue removed, too?”

It’s understandable for patients to prefer liposuction to male breast reduction, because the scars liposuction causes are extremely small—just a few millimeters long. This makes them particularly discreet and difficult to see. Breast tissue, on the other hand, is more dense than fat, so it cannot be removed through the narrow tube we use for liposuction. The fact is that most men will need some degree of breast tissue removed in addition to the fat, but the good news is that this can actually be done with less scarring than patients generally expect. I often begin with liposuction throughout the chest area, then simply make a small incision across the bottom of each areola to remove the breast tissue from each side. In severe cases of gynecomastia in which the skin has become stretched (particularly in older men or those who have lost extreme amounts of weight), some skin removal may be required in order to achieve the results the patient is looking for, but the majority of men can attain the masculine contours they want with liposuction and breast tissue removal alone.

Whether your chest enlargement is primarily caused by excess fat or glandular breast tissue, it’s crucial that you take steps to prevent the gynecomastia from returning after surgery. This means maintaining a stable weight, keeping alcohol consumption moderate, and avoiding certain drugs like anabolic steroids and marijuana. If your chest has stabilized in size and you’re ready to regain a firmer and more masculine shape, schedule your pre-surgical consultation with me today. Or, for more plastic surgery tips and helpful information, follow me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.