Gynecomastia - Male Breast Reduction

Gynecomastia is a very common condition affecting forty to sixty percent of men. Gynecomastia refers to enlargement of the male breast. The term comes from the Greek "Gyne": woman, and "Mastos": breast. One or both breasts may be affected. Most of the time there is no cause, although sometimes gynecomastia can be linked to a hormonal problem, steroid use, various medications, or marijuana use.

Gynecomastia can be an embarrassing and psychologically debilitating problem. Gynecomastia surgery can help men in this situation. Gynecomastia surgery removes fat and or glandular tissue from the breasts, and in extreme cases excess skin is removed as well. This results in a more appropriately contoured chest.

Is Gynecomastia Correction Right for You?

The best candidates for Gynecomastia surgery are men who are healthy and emotionally stable, and have firm, elastic skin that will reshape to the body's new contours.

Overweight men may be counseled to attempt to correct the problem with exercise and weight loss first if they have not already done so. When an underlying cause can be identified, such as with anabolic steroid use or marijuana use, usually correction of the underlying cause is attempted prior to surgical treatment.

Your Gynecomastia Consultation with Dr. Weinrach

The initial consultation with Dr. Weinrach is very important. Dr. Weinrach will take your medical history and perform a physical examination to look for causes of the gynecomastia. If Dr. Weinrach suspects an underlying medical cause for your gynecomastia, he can assist you with a referral to the appropriate medical specialist.

Please do not hesitate to ask Dr. Weinrach any questions you may have during the initial consultation—including your concerns about the recommended treatment or the costs involved. It is important to follow all of Dr. Weinrach's instructions regarding smoking. Please be sure to inform Dr. Weinrach if you smoke.

Before Your Gynecomastia Surgery

Dr. Weinrach will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery. He will let you know what medications to take and avoid, and when to stop eating and drinking before surgery. You should make arrangements to have someone drive you home after surgery.

Where Your Gynecomastia Surgery will be Performed

Your safety is always Dr. Weinrach's first priority. He only operates in accredited surgery centers and hospitals. He has hospital priviledges for every procedure he performs. Surgery for gynecomastia is most often performed as an outpatient procedure - you will go home after your surgery. Rarely, as in cases where medical conditions present cause for concern, an overnight hospital stay may be recommended. The surgery itself usually takes about an hour and a half to two hours to complete. However, more extensive procedures may take longer.

Anesthesia for Gynecomastia Surgery

General Anesthesia is usually used for gynecomastia surgery. You will be completely asleep during the procedure. Occasionally, local anesthesia and sedation may be used. Dr. Weinrach will discuss all anesthesia options with you and the anesthesiologist in order to decide which is the most appropriate option for you.

How is Gynecomastia Correction done?

In patients with lower grades of gynecomastia with relatively less skin excess and mostly breast and fatty tissue, ultrasound assisted liposuction is usually Dr. Weinrach's first choice. As opposed to traditional liposuction alone, the ultrasound energy is much more effective in breaking up the dense tissue in the male breast, allowing easier removal. Additionally, the ultrasound energy is effective in stimulating the skin to contract, greatly diminishing the need for skin removal. These are all great advantages when compared with the older technique of an open excision of gynecomastia tissue, which produces a longer and more obvious scar, and less ability to perform a more refined sculpting of the entire breast area. Patients with large amounts of skin excess may need skin removal as well.

After Your Gynecomastia Surgery

You may feel some discomfort for a few days after surgery. However, discomfort can be controlled with medications prescribed by Dr. Weinrach.

An elastic compression garment is worn for two weeks after surgery, and then for two weeks longer at night. Although the worst of your swelling will go away in the first few weeks, it may be three months or more before the final results of your surgery are apparent.

In the meantime, it is important to begin getting back to normal. You will be encouraged to begin walking around on the day of surgery, and can return to work when you feel well enough—which could be as early as a day or two after surgery. There are no stitches to remove.

Dr. Weinrach may advise you to avoid strenuous activity for about three weeks. You should avoid any sport or job that risks a blow to the chest area for at least four weeks. In general, it will take about a month before you are back to all of your normal activities.