Gynecomastia

Male Breast Reduction Surgery San Diego

What Is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is the medical term for enlarged male breasts because of an abnormal amount of breast tissue. The extra tissue gives the chest a feminine appearance. Gynecomastia is a very common condition that very often occurs during puberty in males, or possibly later in life due to hormonal imbalances. The condition can make the person feel self-conscious and embarrassed. Sometimes the breast tissue can be painful. Gynecomastia can sometimes be treated with medications to correct the hormonal imbalance if present, but the most permanent, safe solution for gynecomastia is a male breast reduction (or gynecomastia excision) performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Abhay Gupta is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with special expertise in breast surgery and gynecomastia surgery using a variety of advanced surgical techniques.

Causes of Gynecomastia

In the male body, having too much estrogen and not enough testosterone can result in significant changes to the chest. Normally, at the start of puberty, boys experience an increase in estrogen that results in some breast tissue development. This is soon canceled out by a dramatic rise in testosterone, causing any residual breast tissue to atrophy, or shrink, and increased pectoral muscle mass that results in the normal masculine chest contour. However, in approximately 10% of young men reaching the end of puberty, the breast enlargement persists due to an improper balance of hormones. Obesity is another factor in the development of gynecomastia, due to excess chest fat, that can increase production of estrogen thus resulting in enlarged breast tissue. Incidence of gynecomastia is also increased in males who have a history of diabetes and high blood pressure. Gynecomastia is a known side effect of drugs such as marijuana and anabolic steroids, and several medications including some that are used to treat prostate disease, depression, high blood pressure, peptic ulcer disease, and some antibiotics.

What is gynecomastia surgery?

Gynecomastia surgery is a procedure to reduce the size of breast tissue in males. This surgery is also called male breast reduction. The procedure removes excess breast tissue and fat from the chest to restore a more masculine chest appearance. Gynecomastia surgery can improve one’s self-image and confidence. This procedure includes direct surgical excision, liposuction, or both. During your consultation, Dr. Gupta will discuss all options with you and help choose the procedure that is the best option for you.

Reasons to Consider gynecomastia surgery

For mild cases of gynecomastia, a specialized diet and exercise plan can reduce breast prominence, but in most cases, surgical intervention is needed for satisfactory results. Men with gynecomastia choose this elective procedure to improve how they look, increase their self-esteem and confidence with intimate partners, and to help them feel more comfortable in clothing. Gynecomastia surgery can also reduce pain and discomfort that can result from excess breast tissue. Male breast reduction with Dr. Abhay Gupta creates a firmer, flatter, more masculine chest contour.

Male Breast Reduction Procedure

There are different techniques used for male breast reduction and gynecomastia surgery, each with different scars, but most scars are hidden within the areola or nipple area. Dr. Gupta will discuss these options with you and will help choose the procedure that is the best option for you. In some cases, the breasts can be treated with liposuction alone, to remove the excess fatty breast tissue. If there is excess skin in addition to the fatty tissue, Dr. Gupta may recommend excess skin excision with or without a nipple reduction and/or lift. For larger or firmer lumps of denser glandular breast tissue, a larger incision for direct tissue excision may be necessary. In many cases, a combination of these techniques is the best way to restore the best chest contour. The procedures are performed under general anesthesia administered by a Board Certified Anesthesiologist to maximize patient comfort. The surgery takes between 1 and 3 hours to complete and is done on an outpatient basis with no need for overnight hospital stay. Dr. Gupta uses only dissolvable sutures, which eliminates later painful suture removal following surgery. Dr. Gupta does not use staples or cumbersome drains. Once Dr. Gupta has completed surgery, he applies bandages to the treated area, and the patient is taken to a recovery room while the effects of the anesthesia subside. In most cases, the patient will be released to go home 1 to 2 hours after surgery. The bandages can be removed after 48 hours and you can then resume showering. Dr. Gupta may recommend the use of a supportive compression garment around the chest for several weeks to minimize swelling and improve healing.

Male Breast Reduction Recovery Process

Generally, post-operative instructions call for rest and limited movement in order to decrease swelling, speed up the healing process and reduce the recovery time. Bandages can be removed after 48 hours and then a specialized compression garment will need to be worn for several weeks. It is normal to experience some pain for a few days following male breast reduction surgery. Dr. Gupta will give you a prescription for pain killers to treat this pain and may also prescribe antibiotics to safeguard against infection. While complications are rare, patients can minimize potential problems by carefully following Dr. Gupta’s postoperative directions and instructions. Male breast reduction patients should expect to take about 1 to 2 weeks off from work. They should rest and avoid any strenuous activity. Patients can resume normal activity and exercise in 3 to 4 weeks, as advised by Dr. Gupta. Dr. Gupta will see you postoperatively in the office on a regular basis to make sure you are healing well without complications. Within 2 to 3 months, most of the swelling will be gone and you will get to enjoy your final results.

Male Breast Reduction Risks

As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks involved. Dr. Gupta is an expert in his field and employs every preventative measure possible on his end to lessen any risks involved. To minimize risks on their end, patients should avoid smoking at all costs. They should also be honest with Dr. Gupta regarding their medical history and lifestyle habits. Lastly, patients should strictly follow the pre- and post-procedure instructions provided by Dr. Gupta. Potential risks and complications from male breast reduction surgery for gynecomastia include infection, excess bruising, abnormal wide scarring, breast asymmetry, altered nipple sensation, and persistent postoperative pain.

Are You a Good Candidate for Male Breast Reduction Surgery?

If you suffer from gynecomastia and are frustrated by the lack of results from diet and exercise, it’s time to consider a more permanent solution. Men suffering from enlarged or painful breasts that wish to have a more masculine appearance to the chest can consider male breast reduction as a safe, long-term solution. If you find that you meet the following qualifications, you may be a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery: 1) physical or emotional discomfort because of your chest, 2) you have already tried diet and exercise to reduce the size of your chest, 3) you are within a healthy weight range, 4) you are not currently using anabolic steroids, excessive alcohol or cannabis, 5) you are in good health overall.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Abhay Gupta today to learn about your candidacy for male breast reduction.

Is Gynecomastia Surgery Covered by Insurance?

Unlike most cosmetic surgeries, gynecomastia surgery may be covered by health insurance plans under certain circumstances, if the procedure is deemed 'medically necessary' by your insurance company. Each insurance company is different, but some of the criteria to determine medical necessity may include 1) adult, post-pubertal males with gynecomastia that has lasted for more than a year, 2) painful breast tissue enlargement that creates a functional or physical impairment, 3) persistent gynecomastia even after stopping medications, recreational drugs, or substances that may cause gynecomastia, and 4) presence of firm glandular breast tissue instead of just excess fatty deposits.

How Much Does Gynecomastia Surgery Cost?

At Gupta Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gupta prioritizes safe procedures that deliver exceptional results. During your consultation, we will outline the total cost of your procedure which includes the surgeon’s fee, operating room and supplies fees, anesthesia fees, prescriptions, post-surgery compression garments, and medical tests. Dr. Gupta offers multiple financing and payment plan options to his patients to help make the costs increasingly manageable.

Why Choose Dr. Gupta for Your Gynecomastia Surgery?

Dr. Abhay Gupta is widely-regarded as one of the best breast surgeons in Southern California. He has trained at a number of internationally renowned surgery centers including the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Florida. In addition, Dr. Gupta regularly presents his breast surgery research at national and international plastic surgery conferences.

Read more about Dr. Abhay Gupta’s extensive surgical experience, in his Curriculum Vitae.

Schedule a Consultation for Breast Reduction in San Diego

If you are considering male breast reduction surgery and would like to learn more about the procedure, schedule a consultation at Gupta Plastic Surgery in San Diego by calling (858) 408-6100.

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