by Miguel Delgado, MD | Aug 26, 2015 | Pre-Surgery
It is a refreshing thing to be able to see people addressing gynecomastia on social platforms, especially influencers who reach a wide audience. Today, we will be spotlighting Aaron Marino.
About Aaron Marino
Aaron Marino, the creator of alpham, has built a successful business helping men achieve their full potential physically and emotionally, as a consultant for grooming, fashion, and fitness. He unabashedly addresses very personal issues that men have to deal with and uses compassion and humor to get much-needed information from men. Other than fashion, he covers topics including things such as hair loss, tattoo removal, and gynecomastia.
Aaron has appeared on many television programs such as; Fear Factor, Shark Tank, MTV, Ask Men, and many more and has also been featured in the Huffington Post, Forbes, GQ, and more. He has posted a video on YouTube titled “Man Boobs | How to Treat, Manage, and Eliminate Gynecomastia”. In this video, Aaron addresses the topic in a style of sensitivity and light humor. He explains some of the causes of gynecomastia. He has a very forthright way of talking directly to men giving them a sense that he understands the emotional havoc gynecomastia can cause. Additionally, he gives some very good suggestions to men on what they can do about it, from weight loss and exercise, avoiding steroid use, to buying t-shirts two sizes down, or compression vests such as Spanx. And of course, he discusses the possibility of surgery for some. Click here to view his gynecomastia YouTube video.
More About Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is a condition that causes male breast tissue to become enlarged in one or both breasts. This excess breast tissue can understandably cause self-confidence issues and embarrassment for those living with it.
The main cause of gynecomastia is hormonal imbalance in testosterone production and estrogen levels in teenage boys, though it can also be caused by anabolic steroids, some recreational drugs, and certain medications (such as heart medications). Gynecomastia can affect males of any age including newborn babies, adolescent boys, and older men.
Common gynecomastia symptoms include:
- Breast tenderness
- Breast swelling
- Male breast enlargement
- Swollen breast tissue
- Puffy nipples
- Nipple discharge
- A firm lump of glandular tissue under the nipple
- And more
Gynecomastia is not to be confused with a condition called pseudogynecomastia, in which excess fatty tissue is the cause of enlarged breasts. While liposuction can help to reduce the size of the chest with pseudogynecomastia, weight loss and elimination of excess tissue is often the most effective treatment.
For some, gynecomastia will resolve on its own, usually during adolescence. However, others may not be so lucky. If gynecomastia follows a male into adulthood, surgery is the best way to treat gynecomastia.
About Gynecomastia Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery, also called male breast reduction, is a procedure that involves the surgical removal of glandular tissue, fatty tissue, and excess skin from the breasts. There are a variety of surgical techniques that can be used during this procedure including liposuction and excision.
Schedule a Consultation in San Francisco or Novato
If you are living with gynecomastia symptoms such as enlarged male breasts or male breast growth and are interested in learning more about this condition and if male breast reduction surgery is right for you, contact Dr. Delgado today. As a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 30 years of treating gynecomastia, Dr. Delgado has the ample skill and experience needed to correct gynecomastia.
Gynecomastia FAQs
Is breast cancer associated with gynecomastia?
The risk of male breast cancer is low in those with and without gynecomastia.
Is body fat the cause of my breast tissue growth?
If you are overweight and are experiencing breast enlargement, you may have pseudogynecomastia. In these cases, body fat is the cause for symptoms rather than breast gland tissue. Weight loss is often a solution. However, excess skin may be an issue following weight loss. This can be addressed with surgical intervention for a flatter chest.
What is asymptomatic gynecomastia?
This form of gynecomastia is gynecomastia that is not associated with any symptoms. It is actually quite common and can affect males of all ages.
How is gynecomastia diagnosed?
During a consultation appointment, Dr. Delgado will speak with you regarding your medical history and perform a physical exam. He may also ask you questions about your gynecomastia symptoms and how long you have been experiencing symptoms. Blood tests may also be ordered. A diagnosis may then be made and a plan for gynecomastia treatment created.
Can plastic surgeons address gynecomastia?
Yes, a board-certified plastic surgeon is a fantastic choice for performing your gynecomastia surgical procedure. When seeking out a surgeon, be sure to do your homework and consult with more than one to determine which surgeon is right for you.
When do males develop gynecomastia?
Males can develop gynecomastia at any age. However, it is most commonly developed during adolescence when hormone changes are occurring and hormone levels are fluctuating.
by Miguel Delgado, MD | Aug 14, 2015 | Causes
Gynecomastia, or the development of breasts in males, can be caused by a number of different things. Taking antipsychotics such as Risperdal can produce the condition. Male breasts can develop in both boys and men. Enlargement can vary from patient to patient, but generally men end up with breasts that look very close to that of a female.
Those who develop the condition from prescription medications can develop both fatty tissue in the chest area, and extra glandular tissue. While the medications that can produce the side effect of Gynecomastia are known as antipsychotics, they can trigger depression and anxiety in young boys, or men who develop breasts and become the targets of bullies. The FDA approved Risperdal also to treat anxiety and depression, but once becoming aware of the fact it’s the medication causing them to grow breasts, most won’t take it anymore, rendering it not only useless but harmful to them.
Risperdal, a pharmaceutical medication produced by Johnson and Johnson, is known for blocking dopamine while heightening prolactin levels. Prolactin is a hormone released by the pituitary gland. For women, prolactin stimulates breast growth and milk production. When the level of prolactin in males becomes too high, it can produce effects similar to those that are experienced by women, and result in gynecomastia. In some unfortunate and extreme cases, males who have taken Risperdal and developed gynecomastia because of its use have developed D-cup size breasts. Lactation has also been noted in some cases of gynecomastia.
Breast reduction is a term most generally applied to women. However, most males who develop noticeable female-like breasts (gynecomastia) choose to opt for a reduction. Patients with gynecomastia choose to get their chest reduced for a number of reasons, to feel better, to look ‘normal’ again, and if they’re younger (or even older) so they won’t be teased by bullies who don’t understand their condition. Gynecomastia is very serious and can cause damage not only physically, but mentally to whoever it affects.
Many times, breast reduction may only be necessary in extreme cases. In a lot of the milder cases, patients are able to discontinue the use of Risperdal, and swelling may start to dissipate. There are plenty of antipsychotics on the market that do not produce excess prolactin, and are much safer to use. The combination of ending the use of Risperdal and using a safer medication may be enough to treat the condition in milder cases. If however, chest size has not reduced within a year of stopping Risperdal’s use, patients with larger, unwanted breasts may want to contact a doctor and speak with them about the possibility of surgery (breast reduction.)
by Miguel Delgado, MD | Aug 2, 2015 | Celebrities
Celebrities Gynecomastia, No one is immune from getting gynecomastia, not even celebrities. It is a known fact that about 65% of all men will get some form of gynecomastia at some point in their life. Babies, adolescents, men who are taking certain medications or drugs, and the aging man, are some of the men who may get man boobs. Celebrities are always in the public eye; it is almost impossible for them to enjoy a day at the beach or enjoy their leisure without being photographed. They should be congratulated that they are living their life with gynecomastia apparently without shame. Gynecomastia should not cause shame; it is such a common condition for so many men. It is surprising that so many people make a big deal about it and tease or humiliate men with breasts, but they do. Gynecomastia is one of the most personal issues a man may have to deal with, fortunately, there are choices. Established gynecomastia will not go away by itself. A Board Certified Plastic Surgeon that specializes in gynecomastia will be able to offer solutions. Interestingly, some celebrities go shirtless and don’t seem to let their male breasts bother them. Sometimes, knowing you are not alone can make an uncomfortable situation seem not so bad. So view the pictures below of many movie stars and celebrities that bravely bare their chests.
by Miguel Delgado, MD | Jul 25, 2015 | Age-Related
Review Of Adolescent Gynecomastia Does Not Support Routine Pathological Examination, Reviewed by Miguel Delgado, M.D. – Dr. John C. Koshy with the Department of Pathology at Baylor College of Medicine and colleagues from Baylor, the University of Southern California, and The Methodist Hospital System conducted an exhaustive examination of hospital records and literature in search of proof that substantiated the routine pathological examination of subcutaneous tissue removed from adolescents that had gynecomastia. The examination included a review of all relevant literature that has been published in the last 45 years. The study also included a review of the hospital charts and records from three major hospitals in Texas of all adolescent patients that had tissue removed due to gynecomastia. The researchers also examined the records of 61 hospitals across the United States that performed at least one procedure for gynecomastia in the last decade using a survey. The study examined males that were 21 years of age and younger. The research found that the average age at which most adolescent men have a procedure for gynecomastia is 17 years of age. The pathology from the 81 patients that underwent a subcutaneous mastectomy for gynecomastia in the Texas hospitals showed no signs of cancer. The literature review found six instances of cancer and five instances of atypical cell growth in the removed tissue. Only seven of the 615 cases of gynecomastia and subsequent pathology from the literature indicated any signs of any type of carcinoma. The literature review is elucidative in that large samples of patients were rare. Those seven patients that did show signs of cancer or the potential for cancer came from studies of single patients or statistically small groups of patients. An abnormal physical exam indicating possible cancer occurred only once. The response to the survey was 36.1 percent. The hospitals that did respond indicated that pathology tests were considered to be not only routine but mandatory in cases of tissue removed from adolescents that had gynecomastia. The researchers argue that the added cost to the patient or patient’s family for the routine pathological examination of fat tissue removed from adolescents with gynecomastia is not supported by the incidence of cancer detected in a study that spanned 45 years of data. The average additional cost of $1,260 is normally not covered by insurance and is considered to be out-of-pocket for the patient or their family. The researchers argue that the psychological benefit of a procedure to remove excess fat tissue in male adolescents that have gynecomastia is substantial. The researchers cite evidence from the records of the Society for Plastic Surgeons for the years 2000, 2007, and 2008 that indicate that only 0.012 percent of the 19,855 procedures for gynecomastia indicated any potential for cancer. The researchers conclude that routine pathological tests for cancer in gynecomastia procedures are not warranted by the observed incidence of cancer in 45 years of study. The study emphasizes that the cost burden to the Medicare and Medicaid systems for pathology as a routine part of a procedure to remove excess fat in gynecomastia cannot be supported. The study does concede that any request for pathology on the part of the patient or the patient’s family should be honored. Article- Breast Cancer Incidence in Adolescent Males Undergoing Subcutaneous Mastectomy for Gynecomastia: Is Pathologic Examination Justified? A Retrospective and Literature Review Koshy, John C. M.D.; Goldberg, Jonathan S. M.D.; Wolfswinkel, Eric M. B.S.; Ge, Yimin M.D.; Heller, Lior M.D.
by Miguel Delgado, MD | Jul 16, 2015 | Gynecomastia
You may have heard of gynecomastia. You may even know it from personal experience. It is the enlargement of breasts in men and boys—also referred to as “man boobs.” Although most think of it as abnormal, it actually occurs in about two thirds of puberty-aged boys—usually about 13 or 14 years old, according to endocrinologist Glenn Braunstein. It also occurs frequently in older males, usually after the age of 50.
Gynecomastia can cause physical pain, such as extreme tenderness of the nipple when things such as shirts or towels rub against it. Moreover, it can cause serious emotional stress and anxiety. Teenage boys with gynecomastia may live in fear, taunted or shamed by peers, and constantly comparing themselves to “normal” males.
Gynecomastia is most frequently caused by a hormonal imbalance. Although all men have some amount of estrogen—the hormone that plays a key role in female development—gynecomastia occurs when a male’s body produces too much estrogen. Obesity can also play a role in causing gynecomastia, as it can and often does lead to fat being stored behind the breast. Although gynecomastia can be a symptom of certain cancers or other more serious problems, Braunstein says it should only be a cause for real concern if it develops early, such as in a five-, six-, or seven-year-old.
While most cases show that gynecomastia goes away on in three to six months, there are several treatment options for men and boys who suffer from it. Gynecomastia.org is a vast source of information about the various treatments available. There are medications that help to reduce the pain, and if the condition persists past puberty, then male breast reduction surgery is an option, in which a plastic surgeon can remove the extra tissue.
Braunstein suggests waiting at least a year and a half after the issue manifests before considering surgery. After that point, he says, the breasts may contain scar tissue, in which case the extra tissue would be less likely to go away on its own or respond to available medications. It is important to be sure boys are finished with puberty before undergoing surgery; if the breast tissue is removed before a boy’s body has finished developing, then it is possible that the gynecomastia will return.
If you currently struggle or at any time in the past struggled with gynecomastia, look no farther than gynecomstia.org for a place to give and receive the support that everyone with this condition deserves.
Gynecomastia.org is the world’s best forum and source of information and current news on this common but rarely discussed condition.
Rewrite by Miguel Delgado M.D. —Gynecomastia Specialist
Source: Voiland, Adam. “Boys Who Grow Breasts: What They CanDo.” US News. U.S. News & World Report, 19 Sept. 2007. Web. 16 July 2015.
