Gynecomastia is an overdevelopment of breast tissue in men. There are various causes, including weight gain or obesity, drug side effects, or a hormonal imbalance.
A male with larger breasts may feel restricted in what they can do, like participating in certain sports and activities. They may also avoid social settings and intimacy due to a lack of confidence in their appearance.
Male breast reduction is a procedure that removes excess tissue and fat to leave the chest looking sculpted. Many men report feeling more confident in their appearance following their procedure. Explore the benefits of male breast reduction and determine if it’s the right choice.
Enhance Your Self-Esteem
Gynecomastia may be a physical condition, but it greatly affects how someone feels about themselves. Male teens and adults can experience depression, insecurity, and low self-esteem in response to having a larger amount of breast tissue. This can make it difficult to feel comfortable in social settings.
In fact, some patients may not even realize its effect on their mental and physical health until after surgery. A recent study found that male breast reduction significantly increased self-esteem and quality of life.
Achieve a Masculine Figure
While there is no one way a man must look, many prefer a tight, toned chest and may feel like their body does not align with how they view themselves. While exercise can help grow the muscles underneath, spot reduction–the idea that fat can be reduced in specific areas–is not possible. Male breast reduction can help you to achieve this goal.
Enjoy Physical Activity More
Gynecomastia can make running and jumping painful and make it difficult to participate in many physical activities. This leads to trouble maintaining a healthy weight and the other benefits physical activity provides for health and wellness. Reducing tissue in the breasts can encourage you to take part in sports and exercise and motivate you to stay fit.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are struggling with gynecomastia, male breast reduction in Denver, CO, can help you feel confident. Schedule a consultation with Dr. John F. Bershof, MA, FACS, today at (303) 399-7662 to get started.
Getting a Grip on the Gynecomastia Issue
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
We’re at that time of year when millions of people are observing their bodies with a more discerning eye. They’re asking themselves “did I reach that weight loss goal I set at the beginning of the year?” “Do I like where I’m at, physically speaking?” In many cases, this is a healthy mindset to have. We’re encouraged to see so many people of all ages taking action on a healthy lifestyle. The gains in doing so are far greater than mere cosmetic improvement. Still, a healthy lifestyle doesn’t do it for everyone. For example, men with gynecomastia may spend years trying to sculpt the chest with targeted exercise and weight management, only to be left disappointed time and time again.
There is a misunderstanding about gynecomastia that we need to get a grip on. Far too often, we see the issue of enlarged male breasts attributed to weight. It isn’t merely a weight matter, as many men can attest to just by looking in the mirror. Losing weight can help in some situations, but that is relatively rare. For some young men, gynecomastia that begins in adolescence may resolve spontaneously around age 20. However, this too is unpredictable. Doctors do not yet fully understand the nature of gynecomastia in terms of its causes. Hormones may play a role, as may the use of certain medications. For the plastic surgeon, the goal is not to understand cause but to focus on correction. In doing so, they provide men a new lease on a confident life.
Gynecomastia Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery is a straightforward procedure performed on an outpatient basis. Men are usually under general anesthesia for the surgery and they can go home within a few hours after the procedure is complete. The way that surgery is performed may be different for various patients based on their unique situation. Liposuction is almost always performed. This technique, performed through tiny incisions at the sides of the chest, removes the excess fat that has accumulated in the breast area. Additionally, some patients need firm glandular tissue removed. This cannot be done with liposuction. The surgeon often removes it through small incisions around the areola. In cases of sagging breast tissue, a patient may also need a lift to tighten the skin around the new, flatter chest contours.
We are proud to serve the Denver area with friendly, professional care. To schedule your consultation to discuss gynecomastia surgery, call 303.399.7662.
Many men throughout many years have been affected by the condition doctors call gynecomastia. Men who consult with their doctor or the internet about what is more often called enlarged male breasts, or man boobs, are often surprised to know there is a medical term to describe what they are living with. They are even more surprised to learn that there are treatments that may help them return to their natural, masculine shape.
In recent years, the awareness of male breast enlargement as something more than obesity has increased. This has enabled men to at least begin to understand that they are not alone, nor are they without hope. However, with so much information circulated about gynecomastia, there is a chance that the right treatment may not be immediately identified. By the time a man sees a plastic surgeon for gynecomastia, there is a strong chance he has tried to correct his shape with diet and exercise. In many cases, patients tell us they have tried that and supplements or hormones because losing weight didn’t help. We know why, and it’s a big deal.
The Nature of Gynecomastia
There is a common misconception that breasts are made up only of fat. This is especially true for men. If there is any knowledge of breast tissue that is different than fatty tissue, it relates to women. It makes sense that women have more structural complexity in the breast area. They have milk ducts and breast glands that make their breasts grow in the first place. Rarely do we stop to realize that men also have glandular tissue in their breasts. Due to hormone differences, though, the average male breast gland is typically not stimulated to grow. Not typically. But when it is, we have to know how to address it.
Breast tissue is glandular. It is dense and heavy. On the contrary, fat tissue, which is part of the breasts, is soft and made of fat cells. Most cases of gynecomastia involve an excess of both types of tissue. And then there is the skin. In some cases, skin laxity exacerbates the appearance of female-like breasts. This is often seen in men who have lost a substantial amount of weight.
Depending on the tissue involvement, gynecomastia may look like:
Puffy nipples. This is indicative of gynecomastia that involves swelling in the breast gland. Men who are slim and fit can still develop this symptom of gynecomastia. Furthermore, men who undergo liposuction alone may experience this sign of gynecomastia sometime after their procedure.
Female-like breasts. This degree of gynecomastia is very common and involves an excess of breast and fatty tissue that extends beyond the nipple area.
Sagging breasts. When men have lived with enlarged breasts for a long time or have lost a lot of weight, they may be left with enlarged, sagging breasts. This is because stretched skin has lost its ability to retract.
Gynecomastia surgery is not all about removing fat. For the best results, a plastic surgeon usually removes fat and breast tissue. In more severe cases, the skin is also pulled tighter and trimmed to restore the masculine curve to the chest.
Get the details you need about male breast reduction. Call our Denver office at 303.399.7662 to schedule your consultation.
Male Breast Reduction Could Be Your Best Gift to Yourself
Sunday, March 15, 2020
The word “breasts” is one that we have historically associated with women and probably always will. While both men and women technically have breast tissue, the appearance of breasts on men’s bodies is quite different than what we see on women’s bodies. The concept of male breasts doesn’t align with our image of what the male chest looks like. For the man whose body has developed more than the normal amount of breast tissue, years of frustration and emotional turmoil may ensue. Trying to understand the factors that contribute to enlarged male breasts is only slightly beneficial. What we really need to do is resolve the problem, and the best way to do that is with surgery.
What is Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
Gynecomastia is the condition that is characterized by enlarged male breasts. The underlying cause of this problem could be genetics, weight, the use of certain medications or drugs, or hormones. When a man has true gynecomastia, he may have rounded or puffy breasts regardless of how much weight he loses. Male breast reduction surgery is a proven method of restoring masculine contours to the chest. The procedure should only be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon and only after a thorough consultation, an examination of breast tissue, and discussion about what surgery should entail and why.
Nearly all breast reduction procedures for men involve liposuction to remove the excess fatty tissue causing the breasts to enlarge. In some cases, the breast gland also needs to be removed. This can be done through a small incision around the areola, the colored skin around the nipple. Removing the breast gland eliminates the risk that the breast could become puffy in the future. Depending on the condition of the skin and degree of gynecomastia that has occurred, a man may also need to have overlying skin tightened. Dr. Berschof relies on years of experience to achieve the best results for men suffering from gynecomastia.
Male Breast Reduction Recovery
Male breast reduction is an outpatient procedure. Patients are released into the care of a loved one once they have regained an adequate degree of alertness after surgery. At home, they must follow post-surgical instructions for showering and caring for healing incisions. A compression garment is applied after surgery and should be worn as directed to help manage swelling. The results of breast reduction can be seen right away. Though a few activity restrictions may remain for up to 6 weeks, patients can expect to resume most normal activities in 10 to 14 days.
If you are in the Denver area and wish to regain your masculine chest contours, call303.399.7662 to schedule a consultation to discuss male breast reduction.
Gynecomastia is an overdevelopment of breast tissue in men. There are various causes, including weight gain or obesity, drug side effects, or a hormonal imbalance.
