Is Gynecomastia Wrecking Your Confidence? There's a Solution!

When most of us think of breast reduction surgery, we think of surgery that helps women reduce the size of uncomfortably large breasts, relieving back and shoulder pain and helping them feel more confident. But breast reduction surgery is for men, too — specifically men with a condition called gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia is the medical term for enlarged male breasts, and it’s a fairly common condition with lots of possible causes. In addition to discomfort, gynecomastia can take a major toll on a man’s self-confidence, leading to issues with intimacy and self-esteem.

At Rejuvenate Plastic Surgery, Rishi Jindal, MD, specializes in men’s cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries, including surgery for gynecomastia. Here, learn why gynecomastia happens and how surgery can restore your contours and your confidence.

Why gynecomastia happens

Gynecomastia is largely idiopathic, which means doctors and researchers aren’t sure about its causes. What they do know is that hormonal fluctuations definitely play a role, which is likely why the condition is more common around puberty and then again during older age, when testosterone levels decline. 

It’s important to note that testosterone isn’t the only hormone that plays a role in gynecomastia. Increasing or fluctuating estrogen levels can also lead to breast enlargement since men have estrogen, just as women have testosterone.

Obesity, genetics, certain medications, and some diseases, like thyroid disease, can play roles, too. Roughly half of all men have some degree of gynecomastia at some point during their lives, according to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.

Treating gynecomastia

Fortunately, gynecomastia surgery can help eliminate plump, pudgy breasts by removing unwanted tissue and enhancing natural male chest contours. In fact, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports about 25,000 men have the surgery every year, a number that’s been increasing.

Gynecomastia can involve both fatty tissue and glandular tissue, and the recommended treatment approach can vary based on the tissue involved, your goals, and other factors. When enlargement is due to excess fat accumulation, many men benefit from liposuction to eliminate fat and produce flatter contours. 

Breast enlargement involving fat and glandular tissue typically benefits from breast reduction surgery to eliminate both types of tissue. This surgery can be performed using minimally invasive techniques with very small, discreet incisions. 

Both gynecomastia procedures can produce improved chest contours and help you feel more confident about the way you look.

Find out more about gynecomastia surgery

Gynecomastia can cause significant embarrassment and self-consciousness, and without treatment, it can lead to self-isolation, lack of socialization, depression, and difficulty forming bonds with other people.

If you have gynecomastia, we can help. To learn more, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Jindal and the team at Rejuvenate Plastic Surgery in San Diego, California, today.