Gynecomastia
Offered at our convenient location in New Jersey
Gynecomastia is a common condition in which undesirable excess glandular breast tissue and excess fat cells develop within a man’s chest. While everyone, men and women alike, develops breast tissue, commonly men can develop an excess of this glandular tissue for a multitude of reasons and this is referred to as gynecomastia. Pejoratively known as ‘man-boobs’, gynecomastia can have several causes: increased estrogen activity, decreased testosterone activity, genetics which predispose to development, or the use of certain medications such as steroids or marijuana.[1]
Even though the National Institutes of Health reports that 50%-60% of males are affected by gynecomastia, that does not mitigate the embarrassment felt by many men from this condition. That’s why gynecomastia surgery is so commonly performed by Dr. Brian S. Glatt. He also recognizes the dismay and embarrassment men can experience from this condition and he aims to alleviate the anxiety caused by this condition by surgically treating these patients in an aggressive manner to help produce results that are dramatic and long lasting. If you are seeking a definitive remedy for your gynecomastia, please feel free to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Glatt or call our New Jersey office at (973) 889-9300 to speak with one of our representatives.
Contents
Before and After Photos
The Science Behind ‘Man-Boobs’
Puberty
The introduction and eventual decline of the male sex hormone testosterone can have varying effects on the male anatomy. A surge in testosterone or a sudden decrease in it can be responsible for structural changes to a man’s body. This is extremely evident during a boy’s adolescent ascension through puberty. From puberty, the sudden influx of testosterone can rattle the biological balance in his body and cause an endocrine reaction to release unequal amounts of estrogen. This can cause breast tissue to grow in excess and/or to swell up and protrude, sometimes severe enough to even resemble female breasts. Commonly, if generated by puberty only, the condition will subside over time and improve and regress as the rest of the endocrine system levels out. All too often, however, this is not the case and gynecomastia remains.
Later-Stages in Life
As men age, their hormone levels plateau during their twenties and then slowly descend throughout their remaining years. It is reported that after age 30, men lose 1% of their testosterone supply every year.[2] By the time many men reach 75 they have lost 30% of the testosterone they had when they were 25. This loss in testosterone can cause an imbalance in the endocrine system and result in an uptick in estrogen production which can result in development of gynecomastia. However, unlike with gynecomastia stemming from puberty, gynecomastia during a man’s later years can be more severe and also permanent as there is not enough circulating testosterone to even out the sudden influx of estrogen. Many men will try to exercise excessively to rid themselves of the excess breast tissue, however even this does not work; as the excess tissue is most commonly glandular tissue and not fat. Oftentimes men will present to our practice in remarkable shape and quite muscular, but will have excess protrusive breasts! Dr. Glatt’s gynecomastia surgery, however, is a definitive permanent fix for correcting ‘man-boobs’ at almost any age once adulthood is reached.
Benefits
Gynecomastia surgery is perfect for someone who is looking for:
- Permanent results
- An outpatient procedure
- Increased confidence
- A more masculine physique
Candidates
If you are a male who is dissatisfied with the saggy, drooping appearance of your breasts and are eager to see a powerful change to your physique, then gynecomastia surgery may be the next best step in reclaiming your masculine appearance. After you schedule your personal consultation, Dr. Glatt will determine whether you are a prime candidate for this particular procedure or if another approach is more suitable. Please be aware that certain scenarios may not be as amenable to surgical treatment. Those who have had massive weight loss, for example, will also have significant amounts of excess skin which will need to be addressed. In addition, those who have developed less elasticity in their skin due to age may also not be as good of a surgical candidate. This would all be discussed at your consultation and Dr. Glatt will determine if you are an adequate and suitable candidate for this kind of surgery. If there are issues with skin excess or poor elasticity, then more invasive procedures may be required in order to also address the excess or anticipated laxity of overlying skin following removal of excess tissue. .
Personal Consultation
At your consultation in our offices in Morristown, New Jersey, Dr. Glatt will go over your medical and surgical history. Then he will assess your particular situation as well as your skin and soft tissues to determine if you qualify for gynecomastia surgery. In doing so, he will evaluate if you have gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia. The difference here lies in what type of cells are causing the region to be enlarged. With pseudogynecomastia, a conglomeration of fat cells causes the appearance of enlarged male breasts. This can sometimes be fixed through diet and exercise, but if surgery is to be performed, then liposuction may be all that is required. True gynecomastia is caused by the growth of excess breast tissue within the breast and can’t be altered, improved, or eradicated through diet and exercise alone. Dr. Glatt will outline how he will individually tailor his surgical approach to achieve your desired aesthetic ends. Many of our patients remark on his ability to effectively educate as well as placate worry or concern. If you would like to learn just how Dr. Glatt is making strides in the practice of plastic surgery, feel free to read his blog to learn more.
When your consultation concludes, you will be provided with a detailed cost estimate as well as instructions for how to proceed. Should you decide to have surgery, you will be given a personalized list of preparatory steps that you must adhere to before your scheduled surgery.
Preparation
As is important to all surgery preparations, it is important to:
- Avoid any medications that thin your blood such as herbal supplements, fish oils, ibuprofen, and aspirin. If you have conflicting prescription medications please let us and the prescribing physician be aware. Do not discontinue any prescriptions without speaking with your healthcare provider before doing so. Dr. Glatt will provide you with an extensive and detailed list outlining what medications should be avoided and/or held before surgery, including supplements.
- If you smoke, you must discontinue this for at least 6 weeks before your gynecomastia surgery as smoking can severely inhibit the body’s healing process and produce complications such as poor scarring and healing as well as respiratory complications from the anesthesia required.
- Plan for a ride home as you will be under general anesthesia during your procedure and will not be able to operate a vehicle upon your release from our care.
Procedure and Approach
During your gynecomastia surgery, you will be administered general anesthesia. Then, depending on your anatomy and what approach was deemed appropriate, Dr. Glatt will make a few small incisions under your arms, around your nipples, or on the fold of your breast depending on your particular needs. Most commonly, Dr. Glatt tries to perform all of your surgery through an incision on the border of your areola, just on the interface of the darker and lighter skin, in order to best camouflage the scar. Some aspect of liposuction is almost always performed in order to help debulk the periphery of the breast and create a smooth interface between the area of excess to be resected and the peripheral areas of the breast. Next, he will work to excise the pure excess breast tissue by directly removing it. After inspecting his work and making sure the area will heal evenly to match your desired results, Dr. Glatt will suture the incisions with stitches which are all on the inside and dissolvable. Occasionally surgical drains will be required for several days after surgery, however you may shower with these if they are used. In addition, Dr. Glatt has you wear a compression vest, which is provided to you, for several weeks following surgery. This surgery is performed as an outpatient and Dr. Glatt sees all patients the following day to change your dressings, provide further instructions for your postoperative care, and help guide your recovery. Patients are able to shower the day after surgery following this appointment.
Recovery
After your procedure, it is vital to conserve your energy to help your body maximize its resources to facilitate recovery. That’s why we recommend our patients take at least a few days off from work. But it shouldn’t be more than a week or so until the swelling and slight discomfort have subsided. We also recommend that you not exercise for 3 weeks and no pushing, pulling, straining, or lifting anything more than 10 lbs for 6 weeks.
Any pain or discomfort initially is quite minimal and most men require little if any pain medication following this surgery. In addition, most patients are able to drive within a few short days. This compression garment is to be worn 24 hours a day excluding when you shower for several weeks. After your shower, make sure to pat dry the treated areas so you don’t disrupt the stitches. There will be a glue tape over your incisions which is protective and waterproof and will be removed after 3 weeks at which time we provide you with a silicone based scar gel for daily use to minimize scar formation.
Results
After your surgery, you will notice some swelling and bruising in your pectochest area. After the swelling has faded, you will be able to see the new and improved you! You will notice the appearance of your chest is slimmer, more toned, and more masculine. What once may have been a center of insecurity and embarrassment is now merely a memory. Most men report feeling more confident when swimming or removing their shirt in front of others. In addition, results of gynecomastia surgery are permanent as the breast tissue will not redevelop!
Corresponding & Complementary Procedures
When paired with some of our other services, our male patients have been able to see their aesthetic dreams come to fruition.
Male Abdominoplasty
While many men try so adamantly to stick to a rigid diet and exercise regimen, sometimes that’s not quite enough to achieve their aesthetic goals. However, with a male abdominoplasty, our patients have been able to have excess fat and skin around their abdomen removed in just one simple procedure. If your abdomen is a trouble spot and you wish to correct the lax, hanging skin in the stomach area, then maybe a male abdominoplasty is the best course of action.
Jawline And Chin Contouring
Ancient sculptures always depicted heroic men with sharp, angular chins and jaws. This attribute has become subconsciously synonymous with peak masculinity. That’s why we offer jawline and chin contouring as one of our staple services. By using injectable fillers, you can get an angular chin and jawline that projects pure, bonafide confidence. Please see some of the work our aesthetic master nurse injector, Katelyn Peterpaul, is producing in this area!
References
- Johnson, R. E., & Murad, M. H. (2009). Gynecomastia: Pathophysiology, Evaluation, and Management. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 84(11), 1010–1015. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0025-6196(11)60671-x
- Decaroli, M. C., & Rochira, V. (2017). Aging and sex hormones in males. Virulence, 8(5), 545–570. https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2016.1259053