Gynecomastia Surgery

Gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction) consists of contouring fat and removal of breast glandular tissue in the chest for a more masculine contour. Cosmetic surgery for gynecomastia is the most common procedure to remove man boobs.

 

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Medical Author: Miguel Delgado, M.D.
Dr. Miguel DelgadoDr. Delgado is a highly skilled surgeon specializing in gynecomastia surgery. Dr. Delgado has committed a significant amount of his practice to the care and education of men and boys with gynecomastia. Dr. Delgado’s practice philosophy is to provide the highest quality of patient care to the people who seek out his professional services. Dr. Delgado and his staff are committed to understanding their patients' concerns, educating them on their options, and executing the best surgical outcome for each patient. Dr. Delgado is the new owner of Gynecomastia.org since 2010. He has dedicated a significant part of his life and practice to improving the Gynecomastia.org community.

 

Minimally Invasive Gynecomastia Surgery — Breast Gland Excision with Liposuction

Gynecomastia surgery involves the removal of enlarged male breast glands, which is often combined with liposuction of the chest. This surgical approach removes the glandular tissue and contours the chest area into a masculine-looking, sculpted chest. The minimal incision technique successfully treats 80% of men with enlarged male breasts.

The best patients for this male breast reduction procedure are those with youthful, elastic skin that will contract following the removal of excess fatty tissue, glands, and skin. The process of skin contraction is similar to how a rubber band works. The newer the rubber band, the better the snap-back. The older the rubber band, the more relaxed it becomes.

The aging process naturally breaks down the collagen and elastin fibers that give skin elasticity and the ability to contract. In general, younger patients will experience satisfactory skin contraction, while older patients may require more extensive procedures to facilitate skin removal. Dr. Delgado has extensive experience to determine your “snap back test” to ensure the success of your surgery.

Various factors can impair skin quality and, as a result, the outcome of your surgery, include:

  •  Photoaging or sun damage
  • Massive weight loss
  • Genetics and ethnicity
  • Stretch marks

“John’s Story “ — Follow Miguel Delgado, M.D., into the operating room to see how he performs the standard male breast reduction surgery — breast gland excision with liposuction.

Standard Male Breast Reduction Technique

The standard gynecomastia treatment technique is suitable for most individuals with grade 1 or 2 gynecomastia symptoms. In some cases of grade 3 symptoms, the standard technique can also produce successful results.

The majority of surgery for male breast reduction is performed under light general anesthesia. However, some surgeons will perform the procedure under local anesthesia, with or without IV sedation. Dr. Delgado prefers light general anesthesia, as it gives total control during surgery and keeps the patient comfortable to avoid excess bleeding and provide the highest possible optimal results.

In most cases, liposuction is performed through a small incision in the armpit, breast fold, or areola to access the excess fat and sculpt the chest. Once the liposuction is complete, the glandular and fat tissue is carefully removed until a masculine contour is achieved.

Drainage tubes are then placed on each side, and the incision is sutured closed. Once the surgery is complete, foam and a specialized compression garment are placed around the chest. This specialized garment, designed by Dr. Delgado, is a customized vest shaped to the male physique to optimize compression and control bleeding.

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Pull-Through Technique

The “pull-through” gynecomastia surgery technique is a minimally invasive procedure, usually recommended for men with Grade 1 and, on occasion, Grade 2 gynecomastia symptoms. This technique uses an even smaller incision than the standard minimally invasive gynecomastia technique.

The “pull-through technique” requires just a tiny 5 mm incision made at the lower edge of the areola. Liposuction contours the fat and blends in the shape surrounding the area. The nipple area is separated from the underlying breast tissue. A unique instrument is used to pull the breast tissue out of the incision. Additional sculpting with liposuction and scissor dissection completes this surgery. The closure and post-op dressing is the same as the standard procedure.

Gynecomastia Surgery Treatment with Excess Skin

Generally, men with Grade 3 or Grade 4 gynecomastia symptoms have a significant amount of excess skin. This is challenging to treat because of limits to the degree of natural skin contraction.

If loose skin is left following liposuction and surgical removal of the glandular tissue, then surgical removal of the skin is necessary. Longer incisions are needed. However, every effort will be made to keep incisions to a minimum.

Two-stage Procedure for Removing Excess Skin

The two-stage procedure is an advanced cosmetic surgery procedure for men with mild to moderate skin laxity. First, the standard male breast reduction procedure is performed. The second stage is a periareolar lift performed under a local anesthetic between four and six months after the initial procedure. This allows the blood supply to re-establish with the nipple-areola complex.

During the second stage, skin reduction begins with an incision around the entire areola, followed by a second larger circle incision. The skin and tissue between these incisions form a donut shape that is removed. The gap is then meticulously closed with a permanent suture and the patient is fitted with a compression garment.

One-minute video of periareolar lift.

Pre-op reads for male breast reduction surgery

Pre-op reads Adolescent hypogonadism

After peri-areolar lift - male breast reduction surgery
After periareolar lift
Stage 1 for male breast reduction surgery -gland excision with liposuction
Stage 1 gland excision with liposuction

After male breast reduction surgery

Four years after surgery with hormone therapy and a healthy lifestyle

Double Incision Mastectomy for Severe Gynecomastia

Double incision mastectomy includes a free nipple graft and is suitable for some grade 3 and all grade 4 gynecomastia patients. Patients might have a breast size of C, D, or higher. Men with excess skin are typically overweight or have lost a significant amount of weight. The incision is located in the breast fold and extends toward the armpit. The incision length depends on how far the redundant tissue extends toward the back.

An infusion solution is injected once the patient is fully under general anesthetic, then the nipple-areola complex is completely removed and resized to about the size of a nickel. Incisions are made, and glandular and fatty tissue is removed in the sitting position to take into account the effect of gravity on the tissue before removal. This allows an accurate assessment to ensure the proper amount of glandular tissue and skin is removed for a tight and contoured chest.

The nipple-areola complex is then reattached to create a masculine-looking chest that looks aesthetically correct. A compression vest is placed around the chest, which completes the operation.

The advantage of this technique is that removing excess skin provides the patient with a tightly contoured chest. Although the incisions are longer, and the nipples will only have a deep touch sensation, this procedure has an extremely high patient satisfaction rate.

Double incision Mastectomy with a free nipple graft — Follow leading gynecomastia surgeon Dr. Miguel Delgado into the operating room to see how he performs mastectomy surgery on a gynecomastia patient. The patient, a bodybuilder, has developed excess breast tissue due to years of steroid use.

before images of Double incision Mastectomy surgery

double incision mastectomy surgery before

after Double incision Mastectomy surgery

double incision mastectomy surgery after

Liposuction for Gynecomastia

In general, male breast reduction surgery is a straightforward surgical procedure. The key is to employ an approach that results in the best outcome and liposuction alone is not the answer.

True gynecomastia symptoms are caused by fat and breast glandular tissue. Although modern liposuction instruments may be designed to break down and suction away the glandular tissue, this is not the correct treatment for gynecomastia. When liposuction is used with no other surgical technique, the contours of the chest will often appear unbalanced. Consequently, it is the number one reason for gynecomastia revision surgery.

Patients with pseudogynecomastia can experience all grades of gynecomastia. Typically, this is a result of an increase in overall body weight. Liposuction can be effective for grade 1 and grade 2 gynecomastia, however, grade 3 and grade 4 will require liposuction and excision of excess skin.

Male breast reduction surgery is the most efficient and effective treatment for gynecomastia. The various surgical techniques available to address the four grades of male breast enlargement, can quickly restore your confidence and leave you feeling self-assured to have intimate relationships.

 

For personalized information about gynecomastia plastic surgery procedures, please complete Dr. Delgado’s inquiry form.

 

Dr. Delgado is a world-renowned Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and a recognized expert in the field of gynecomastia surgical procedures. In 1986, Dr. Delgado founded Gynecomastia.org — the largest international forum providing unprecedented resources about gynecomastia treatments and surgical options.

 

What are the 3 grades of gynecomastia?

The 3 grades of gynecomastia include: Grade 1: is defined as a small degree of breast tissue enlargement with a localized area of swollen, excess breast tissue under the nipple or surrounding the areola. Grade 2: Defined as mild to moderate breast tissue enlargement. This can expand up the width of the chest and give the appearance of small male breasts. Grade 3: Defined as moderate to significant breast enlargement, expanding the chest’s width with excess skin.

What is Type 2 gynecomastia?

Type 2 gynecomastia occurs when there is a mild to moderate amount of breast tissue enlargement. Many males can conceal type 2 gynecomastia with loose clothing. However, stage 2 is when gynecomastia is most commonly performed.

What is the most common cause of gynecomastia?

There are many different factors that can contribute to the cause of gynecomastia. Some of the most common include genetics, age, being overweight, sun damage, and the use of anabolic steroids.

Does Type 1 Gyno go away?

True cases of gynecomastia will require surgery for correction. For some men who are experiencing breasts due solely to fat deposits, weight loss can help to correct the issue.

Does Grade 2 gynecomastia go away?

In cases of true gynecomastia, surgery will be required for correction. However, if your gynecomastia is caused solely due to fat deposits, weight loss can help to correct gynecomastia.

Can Gyno last for 4 years?

Gynecomastia can last for many years, depending on the cause of the condition.

Can Gyno return after surgery?

Yes, for some men gynecomastia can return following surgery, especially if they continue to partake in lifestyle choices that led to gynecomastia. However, this is not a common occurrence.

Does gynecomastia affect fertility?

If your gynecomastia is caused by genetic and hormone abnormalities, you may also experience fertility issues. However, gynecomastia itself will not directly impact fertility.

How can you tell if gynecomastia is permanent?

Gynecomastia is not typically permanent. This is because in some younger men, it may resolve on its own, or surgery can be performed to correct it.

Can gynecomastia grow back after surgery?

In some rare instances, gynecomastia can return following surgery.

Should I workout if I have gynecomastia?

If excess weight is a contributing factor that makes your gynecomastia more apparent, then working out may be helpful. Cardio exercises can help to burn general body fat, while chest exercises can help to increase the pectoral muscles. However, if you have true gynecomastia, surgery is the most effective solution.

What is the success rate of gynecomastia surgery?

Studies have shown that the success rate of gynecomastia is 90-92% in most people. However, Dr. Delgado has much better success rates because of his experience and expertise. Forty percent of Dr. Delgados gynecomastia surgery practice is gynecomastia revision surgery for men having surgery elsewhere.

Is gynecomastia a risky surgery?

While all surgical procedures have risks, gynecomastia is considered a generally safe surgery.

Is gyno firm or soft?

Gynecomastia is often firmer than typical chest fat and may be described as hard or rubbery.

How long do gyno scars last?

Scarring is to be expected following surgery, however, over time scarring will fade and become less noticeable.

Can gynecomastia cause heart problems?

There is currently not enough research to suggest that gynecomastia is linked to heart problems.

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