What Causes Gynecomastia?
While many people assume that breast reduction is a procedure for women, many men also have this procedure. Gynecomastia or enlarged male breasts can occur for a variety of reasons. Most men with gynecomastia make good candidates for male breast reduction.
What is Gynecomastia?
Men who feel embarrassed about the size of their breasts may have gynecomastia. Enlarged breasts occur in up to 60% of men, especially during puberty. Some men will see their breasts return to a more typical size as they mature, but others struggle with gynecomastia into adulthood. The excessively large breasts can contain mostly breast tissue, primarily fat, or a combination of the two.
What Causes Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia can have many causes. All men have breast tissue, and hormonal changes or other factors can cause this tissue to enlarge. The most common causes of male breast enlargement include:
- Puberty
- Andropause (hormonal changes that occur as men age)
- Medications
- Medical conditions
While excess breast tissue will not go away with exercise, accumulated fat may shrink if you lose weight. If medications or medical conditions have caused your gynecomastia, it may or may not go away when the cause is removed. During your consultation, Dr. Sozer will assess the causes of your gynecomastia and whether surgery is the best option for you.
How Does Male Breast Reduction Work?
Gynecomastia surgery, also known as male breast reduction, works by removing excess fat and breast tissue to decrease breast size. The procedure uses a small incision to remove this tissue. If you have enlarged areolas, your surgeon can make them smaller. Most people have a small, barely noticeable scar under each breast after the procedure. If your enlarged breasts contain a large amount of fat, your surgeon may remove it with liposuction.
How Much Does Gynecomastia Surgery Cost?
Each gynecomastia surgery is unique, making it difficult to estimate a cost. Prices will vary by location and between surgeons. The average cost of male breast reduction is about $4000. This does not include other expenses such as facility costs, testing, anesthesia, and medications. A consultation will allow us to discuss your options and provide an accurate price.
What is Recovery Like Gynecomastia Surgery?
Recovery experiences differ, but you can expect some soreness and swelling after gynecomastia surgery. Most people feel comfortable returning to light activities after one to three weeks. More strenuous activities should wait for at least three weeks. We recommend avoiding sun exposure to the area for several months to help your scars fade.
Am I a Good Candidate for Male Breast Reduction?
Gynecomastia surgery can significantly improve your self-esteem and let you stop hiding your chest. Most healthy adults make good candidates for this procedure. We may recommend that you lose weight before your surgery to reduce the amount of fat.
Take the Next Step
Interested in learning more about gynecomastia for yourself? Schedule a consultation at El Paso Cosmetic Surgery in El Paso, TX today by calling or texting (915) 351 1116.
Disclaimer- Any price mentioned in blogs are indicative prices of the period the blogs were posted and not binding to our current pricing. Please call or text us for our current pricing.
