Year in and year out, male breast enlargement remains one of the top common issues that male plastic surgery patients want to have treated. It’s no wonder why. Living with this condition can put an immense damper on a guy’s self-esteem and make fitting into even the simplest clothing needlessly frustrating. While I have extensive experience using cosmetic surgery to help male patients address this aesthetic concern, today I wanted to discuss in detail why it is so important to get an accurate diagnosis of what is actually causing male breast enlargement before making any decisions.
The term “gynecomastia” might be synonymous with male breast enlargement for some people, but the fact is that this is simply one cause of this condition. Gynecomastia occurs when a man experiences an overdevelopment of glandular tissue in the chest area. While this is the most common cause of male breast enlargement, excess growth in this area can be caused by other things. For instance, excess fat in the area can lead to the appearance of an enlarged chest contour for some men, but this is not technically gynecomastia.
There are several steps needed in order to properly diagnose gynecomastia. These steps include a thorough discussion of your symptoms; a medical exam with a careful evaluation of the breast tissue; and in some cases, additional tests may be required including blood testing or a mammogram.
Once your surgeon makes a diagnosis of gynecomastia, the good news is that this condition can easily be treated with male breast reduction surgery. During the procedure, I am able to surgically remove the excess tissue caused by gynecomastia, as well as excess fat and skin from the chest area (if needed). Once removed, there will be no risk of recurrence or regrowth of this tissue. The result is a flatter, more masculine chest contour and an improved self-image. For men whose enlargement issues are the result of excess fat, and not gynecomastia, liposuction of the chest area can be extremely helpful.
While it’s certainly gratifying to see so many men opting for available aesthetic improvements these days, it’s essential to find a board-certified plastic surgeon with considerable experience working with male patients in order to ensure the best and most successful long-term experience. For more information on gynecomastia or if you would like to schedule a complimentary plastic surgery consultation, please contact me, Dr. David Whiteman, at Southern Plastic Surgery. Don’t forget to follow along with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for additional videos, tips, news, and so much more.