Get the perfects pecs.

If you avoid taking off your shirt, then maybe it’s time to consider gynecomastia surgery. Transform your upper body and restore your confidence by reducing your breast size, flattening your chest, and enhancing your chest contours.

Gynecomastia is derived from the Greek words that literally mean “woman breasts.” It can affect one breast or both and is an embarrassing and awkward experience for many men, brought about by factors as diverse as age, weight fluctuations, genetics, and the use of certain medications. Nearly 200,000 cases of gynecomastia are reported each year. Roughly 9% of these cases result in surgery. Because so many factors can result in gynecomastia, you need an individual and completely confidential plan for male breast reduction to restore a masculine physique and body profile.

Gynecomastia Candidates

Gynecomastia surgery candidates include the following:

• Physically healthy and of relatively normal weight
• Realistic expectations
• Breast development has stabilized
• A feeling that the breasts are too large

Adolescents may benefit from surgery, although secondary procedures may be needed in the future should breast development continue.

About the Procedure

Gynecomastia is the medical term for abnormally enlarged breasts in a male. This is not uncommon in adolescents, young men, and even older men. In the younger patient, it can be a great source of embarrassment and social disruption, particularly in the pre-teen and early teenage years and especially with sports-related activities. The condition often diminishes the ability to change in the locker room without undue embarrassment.

However, for men of all ages, visible male breast tissue can cause significant psychological distress, diminish self-esteem, and inhibit self-confidence. Male breast reduction is one of our most common male plastic surgery procedures and is designed to treat gynecomastia by removing excess breast tissue and/or fat in order to restore the appearance of a more flat and typical male chest. Male breast correction should ideally have invisible scars, which is why our surgeons take great care to perform the procedure in a manner that leaves inconspicuous and unnoticeable scars, usually hidden in the nipple/areola.

Male breast reduction surgery often includes liposuction to remove excess fat, but abnormal breast tissue cannot be removed via liposuction alone and, therefore, requires an incision to be placed along the edge of the areola (the pigmented area around the nipple). Your plastic surgeon will discuss the specifics of your treatment plan after a careful consultation and physical examination. When undergoing treatment for gynecomastia, it is not uncommon for men to occasionally combine the procedure with other enhancement options – such as liposuction of the back or flanks – in order to achieve a more attractive outcome overall.

Aftercare & Recovery

Whether the surgery is performed by excision with a scalpel or liposuction, some discomfort will be felt for several days which can be controlled with medication. An elastic pressure garment should be worn for several weeks to control the bruising and swelling. It may be three months or more before the final results are apparent.

Recovery is normally fairly quick. Work can usually be returned to a few days after the surgery. However, avoid any physical or sport-related activity using the chest muscles excessively for several weeks. Also, avoid sun exposure to the scars for at least six months. Wear a strong sunblock in the sun as sunlight can affect the skin’s pigmentation.

However, if gynecomastia resulted from the use of certain prescription medications, drugs such as steroids, or weight gain, the patient must be fully free from these substances and remain at a stable weight in order to maintain the results.

Each patient is unique; therefore, results of treatment may vary.

Request your consultation with one of our Plastic Surgeons in Sandy Springs or Hiram to learn more.

Procedures & Treatments