About half of all men struggle with enlarged or swollen breasts, more commonly known as “man boobs,” caused by excess fat or breast tissue. It can be extremely embarrassing, leading to low self-esteem and issues with body confidence.
This very common issue is usually caused by one of two major reasons:
- Hormone-related enlargement of breast tissue, which is called Gynecomastia
- Enlarged breasts due to an increase in body fat, which is called Pseudogynecomastia or Fatty Gynecomastia
The good news is that breast reduction surgery for a gyno condition is one of the most common cosmetic procedures among men.
Liposuction is the perfect solution to remove stubborn fat deposits or excess breast tissue, especially when combined with a short-incision technique to permanently remove all breast tissue. (If there is loose skin in addition to stubborn fat, the skin may need to be tightened too.) In many patients, the areola (the darker skin around the nipple) might also be enlarged. This can be corrected during treatment as well.
To schedule a consultation or procedure, fill out the form on this page or call us at 630-426-6018.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What causes Gynecomastia?
There are many reasons why men developed enlarged breasts, from genetics, to poor dietary choices, to steroids and simply getting older.
Obesity is a leading cause of Fatty Gyno, the more common man boob cause. Severely obese men can impact their hormone production too, leading to a more traditional gynecomastia. Age is often a factor as well, particularly for men 50+ when testosterone levels begin to diminish in most men.
Too much alcohol consumption can also lead to development of man boobs, particularly the drinking of hoppy beers which have been associated with influencing testosterone production. Anabolic steroids should also be avoided.
- Is Gynecomastia bad for your health?
Although this condition is physically harmless, most men who experience this condition struggle with mental distress and a poor body image. Breast reduction surgery has been demonstrated to positively contribute to a better mental well-being for men dealing with man boobs. - Why is surgery needed to treat gynecomastia?
Although exercise is recommended for maintenance of a sculpted chest, stubborn fat is still very common and hard to remove non-surgically. Prescription, over the counter or alternative hormone treatments have not been demonstrated to effectively treat this condition either. Male breast reduction is the gold standard treatment. - What is recovery like after gynecomastia surgery?
Most men experience mild to moderate pain and discomfort requiring oral pain medications for the first few days of recovery. You can expect to be back at work within 4-7 days, and back to moderate exercise after about 7-8 days. Some mild tightness and discomfort may persist for up to four weeks. In some cases, some men also choose to wear a compression shirt to aide in recovery.