Male Breast Reduction

Conveniently located to serve Columbus OH

Male breast reduction is an effective way to address gynecomastia. The word ‘gynecomastia’ means ‘female-like breast’ in a male. Most people don’t realize that men have breast tissue just like women do. This issue might occur in males of all ages but it is most prevalent in young boys going through puberty and older men experiencing fluctuations in hormones. Whatever the case may be, this can be an embarrassing issue. If it does not resolve on its own, expert help is required to bring the masculine appearance back to the chest. At Advanced Aesthetic and Laser Surgery, we proudly help men reclaim their masculinity and confidence with male breast reduction in Columbus, OH.

What Causes Gynecomastia?

In addition to obesity, smoking pot, taking steroids, drinking alcohol, taking hormones and several other medications such as ulcer preparations, heart drugs, anti-depressants, and others can contribute to the development of gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia in Teenagers

Gynecomastia typically develops in young males around the time of puberty and generally only persists in a relatively small percentage of individuals. It is an overgrowth of breast tissue causing an enlargement of the breasts. Men have glandular breast tissue just like women but to a much smaller extent. It is the excessive growth of this tissue that results in enough of an increase in the size of the breasts to give a patient the diagnosis of gynecomastia. The condition usually includes a combination of both excess glandular tissue and excess fatty tissue. The relative proportion of these tissues may determine the type of treatment that is necessary to resolve the condition.

Ideal Candidates for Male Breast Reduction

Suitable candidates for male breast reduction include men who are bothered by their large male breasts, have finished puberty, and are in good overall health. They do not have a life-threatening medical condition, are not drug users or smokers, and are at a normal weight. These candidates should have realistic expectations of the surgery’s outcome.

Your Male Breast Reduction Consultation

Before the surgery can be scheduled, you will need to arrange a consultation with Dr. McMahan. During the consultation, Dr. McMahan will perform an examination. He will determine the tissue composition of your male breasts, and he may also conduct a male breast cancer screening.

Dr. McMahan will ask about your medical history. This will include current medications and supplements, allergies, past procedures, pre-existing medical conditions, and other factors that may have contributed to your gynecomastia.

The two of you will then discuss your male breast reduction options. After you have settled on a solution, Dr. McMahan will create a surgical plan. He will give you preparation instructions, including directions regarding eating and drinking before the procedure. He will also tell you which medications to avoid before the surgery.

Ultrasonic Liposuction

The incidence of gynecomastia is higher in men with obesity. In most of these patients, the predominant tissue is fat. This type of gynecomastia generally responds better to liposuction than those where the tissue is mostly glandular which is harder to remove with standard liposuction. The majority of gynecomastia cases have an over-growth of both fat and glandular tissue. In these cases, a specialized form of liposuction called ultrasonic liposuction is more effective than standard liposuction. A specialized machine is used with a unique hand piece that causes a titanium cannula to vibrate at 10,000 cycles per second. The tip of the cannula ruptures the fat cells as it vibrates so that it is removed as liquefied fat rather than clumps of intact fat cells as is done with standard liposuction. This allows the wand to vibrate through the tough fibrous breast tissue to remove the excess tissue. Standard liposuction is performed at the end of the procedure to remove any residual liquefied fat in the tissues.

Skin Removal

Only patients where the condition persists or becomes severe tend to seek professional help to reduce the size and improve the appearance of their breasts. Depending on the severity of the condition and the length of time that it has existed, excess skin may also contribute to the deformity of the breasts. Mild cases where there is no sagging of the breasts can be treated with liposuction or ultrasonic liposuction alone leaving minimal scarring. When the condition is severe, with considerable excess skin, the skin must be removed along with the excess breast tissue resulting in more scarring.

Direct Excision

In some cases, more common in young men, only a small nodule of tissue may be present under the areola causing a small bulge in that area. This condition responds poorly to liposuction and is generally treated by direct excision through a curved incision along the lower half of the edge of the areola. This can often be done under just local anesthesia in an office operating room and tends to leave minimal scars.

The Recovery Process

Male breast reduction does not require you to stay at the hospital after the surgery, but you must arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home. Make sure to follow all recovery instructions carefully during the healing process.

You will wear a supportive garment and bandages around your chest to help you recover and reduce swelling. You will be prescribed medications for any pain and to help avoid infection. Tiny tubes called drains may be placed to drain blood and fluid during recovery, but they will be removed once they are no longer necessary.

The Cost of Male Breast Reduction

The total price of male breast reduction is determined based on several factors. The cost of anesthesia is considered, along with the surgeon’s fee, total surgical time, and the specific techniques chosen.

Contact Our Office

Effective gynecomastia correction requires male breast reduction in Columbus, OH. It is an embarrassing condition that affects many men around the world. At Advanced Aesthetic and Laser Surgery in Columbus, OH, we are dedicated to helping men with this condition find renewed confidence in their bodies with male breast reduction. If you’re interested in learning more about the procedure, contact our office to schedule a consultation today.

Also, see ‘Daddy Make-Over’