Surgical Solutions for Gynecomastia

Two of any man’s least favorite words are: “man boobs.” The idea is at once comical and frightful. Apart from the physical embarrassment, the development of feminine curves on the chest suggests loss of masculinity, or even diminished self-regard. Fortunately, skilled surgeons such as Dr. Carlos Chacon of San Diego’s Divino Plastic Surgery offer proven solutions to target and reverse the condition.

Hormones, Steroids and Calories

Enlargement of the male breast tissue happens in different ways for different types of people. For example, patients who were once obese and have lost substantial weight will often experience loose folds of skin on the chest. The amount of this excess skin depends on whether a patient’s skin is flexible enough to shrink as fat volume is reduced.

Patients with normal weight often see glandular enlargement, the type of gynecomastia that is triggered by changes in hormones. Patients who have a very low BMI, including bodybuilders who have used steroids, may develop an enlarged breast profile when excess tissue develops behind the areola. This tissue often feels like a solid lump.

Each type of patient will require a different surgical solution, ranging from removal of tissue through a small incision, to removal supplemented by liposuction, to a procedure that involves surgically cutting away excess skin.

Liposuction

In some cases, liposuction can completely resolve gynecomastia. It depends upon whether the excess volume in the breast area is caused by a growth of fat or glandular tissue. If you are overweight, there is a good chance that most of the breast volume is comprised of fat. Men who are thin or who have taken steroids usually need to undergo an excision procedure to restore a masculine profile. In some patients, using both liposuction and excision will be appropriate.

Gynecomastia requires both skill and artistry in a plastic surgeon. Shaping a natural profile involves removing strategic amounts of fat and glandular tissue, rather than performing an extensive reduction that will create surface depressions or, in overweight patients, may make the chest seem unnaturally out of proportion with the abdomen. This is especially true if the patient later loses a great deal of weight. An experienced surgeon knows that a satisfying result depends on the aesthetic appeal of the new profile, not the quantity of fat removed.

To learn more about gynecomastia, schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Carlos Chacon at his San Diego-area office in Bonita by contacting Divino Plastic Surgery today.