Bershof Plastic Surgery: 303.399.7662 Body By Design: 303.399.9609 4500 E. Ninth Ave, Suite 100
Denver, Colorado 80220

Fax #: 303-399-1314


Male Breast Reduction in Denver, CO
(Gynecomastia Treatment)

An close up image of a mans chest, he is shirtless.

The overdevelopment of male breasts, also known as gynecomastia, affects an estimated 40 to 60 percent of men. This condition may be caused by a hormonal imbalance, weight gain, overweight and obesity, side effects from drugs, or may occur for no particular reason at all. But despite the cause, the condition is significant and may pose a serious emotional problem in a man's life.

Men with large or sagging breasts can be both physically and emotionally uncomfortable, often restricting themselves from certain activities because they feel self-conscious about their breast size. Male breast reduction is an excellent way to decrease the size of a man's breast, helping him feel more comfortable and confident.

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Who is a Candidate for Male Breast Reduction?

A good candidate for male breast reduction surgery is any male over the age of about 12-15, who feels uncomfortable with his large breast size. The procedure can be performed on males who are in good health, both physically and emotionally. The best candidates for male breast reduction surgery have firm, elastic skin that will reshape well to their body's new contours.

Male Breast Reduction Procedure

Male breast reduction surgery is usually performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. The surgery typically takes two hours. Several techniques can be utilized in male breast reduction, depending on the extent of the procedure, but Dr. Bershof only performs the liposuction technique.

If the enlarged breasts are primarily caused by excessive fatty tissue, liposuction can be performed through tiny incisions to remove the excess fat. The incision may be made around the edge of the areola (the area around the nipple), in the underarm, or about the subtle infra-mammary crease. If excess dense, glandular tissue is the primary cause of the enlarged breast, the liposuction technique is less effective but might still offer less invasive improvement.

In more extreme instances when large amounts dense, glandular tissue needs to be removed, as well as excess skin in order to contour the chest, Dr. Bershof will recommend you to see a surgeon who performs this more extensive procedure.

Patient Testimonial

"Dr. Bershof's medical acumen is off the charts, and his experience and knowledge are combined with a caring and generous manner. While being a fantastic surgeon, he is also just really pleasant to be around. He tells great jokes and keeps the mood light. Dr. Bershof is passionate about medicine and his patients, and I highly recommend his practice to anyone looking for a top-notch surgeon."
 - Avi K.

Male Breast Reduction Recovery

Following male breast reduction surgery, patients will experience some bruising, swelling, and discomfort. This discomfort usually dissipates after a few days and can be reduced with prescribed medication. To help reduce swelling, an elastic pressure garment is worn for about 4-6 weeks, and at night for several weeks more. Swelling and any skin discoloration will partially subside after a week or two, at which time stitches will be removed.

You will be encouraged to walk around on the day of your breast reduction surgery and can expect to return to work in approximately several days to one week. You may also begin light aerobic exercise after a week, but you should avoid strenuous activities for about three to four weeks following surgery.

Can male breast reduction be combined with other procedures?

Surgery to correct gynecomastia is not overly involved. It doesn’t require a dramatic recovery. That makes it perfect for combining with other procedures with Dr. Bershof. For instance, if you’d like to also lose those pockets of unwanted fat that accumulate on virtually every man’s lower abdomen, you could combine abdominal liposuction with the liposuction Dr. Bershof is doing around your breasts. You could combine it with eyelid surgery, if you want to rejuvenate those sagging, tired eyes as more and more men in Denver are doing.

Male breast reduction can also be combined with our various spa services, such as microdermabrasion or Botox injections if you’d like to save the additional appointment.

Is male breast reduction a safe procedure?

These are very low-risk procedures with Dr. Bershof. It is surgery, so there are the usual risks of excessive bleeding, poor wound healing, infection, and the like, but these are rare because this procedure involves small incisions. The main risk is some loss of nipple sensation, but this is usually a temporary change and feeling returns as the affected tissues recover.

Risks and Complications of Male Breast Reduction

As with all surgical procedures, male breast reduction surgery contains a possibility of complications. Although rare, these complications include:

  • Skin injury
  • Infection
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Excessive fluid accumulation or loss
  • Loss of nipple sensation
  • Discoloration
  • Scarring
  • Asymmetrical breasts or nipples

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Are my enlarged breasts due to fatty tissue or is it true gynecomastia?

That depends. During your consultation with Dr. Bershof, he will feel for a firm mass that is about two inches wide under the nipple area. If you have this mass, then you have true gynecomastia and Dr. Bershof will send you to a surgeon who specializes in removing this tissue. If he doesn’t feel that mass, then your enlarged breasts are primarily due to the accumulation of fatty tissue. He will remove that fat using the targeted liposuction discussed above.

Is liposuction as effective as more involved surgery to remove glandular tissue?

This really isn’t an either-or situation. If you have the telltale glandular tissue of true gynecomastia, it will need to be surgically removed, probably along with some tissue excision, to solve your problem.

But Dr. Bershof has found that in many men their problem is due to fat accumulation. Liposuction was designed specifically to remove fatty pockets, so it is the perfect solution for men with this problem.

How long will my results last after liposuction for my enlarged breasts?

Scientists have proven that the number of fat cells in the human body is set during adolescence and remains constant throughout adulthood. This is true whether you gain or lose weight. The fat cells swell if you put on weight and then shrink if you lose weight, but their numbers remain the same.

So, when Dr. Bershof removes some of your fat cells with liposuction, these fat cells are gone for good. That means these are permanent results. Should you gain weight down the road, your remaining fat cells in the area can swell, as described above, but you will not add new cells. If you remain at a healthy weight, your remaining fat cells should stay at a normal, static size, and you will not have enlarged breasts again.

Will I have scarring after male breast reduction?

Dr. Bershof uses tiny incisions to introduce the cannula to suction away from your fat around your enlarged breasts. These incisions are usually made around the areolae, and they are basically invisible just a few weeks after your surgery. If you need to have the more involved surgery to remove the glandular mass, along with some excess skin, there will be some scarring. It also is relatively minimal.

When You can return to work after having liposuction for enlarged breasts

These are not difficult recoveries. Most of our patients can return within just a few days. If their job involves heavy lifting, they may need to take a little more time, or simply not be able to perform that part of their job for a few weeks.


Want to learn more?

For more information about male breast reduction, please call us at 303.399.7662 or fill out the contact form in the sidebar to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bershof.

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