Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction)

What Is Male Breast Reduction Surgery?

Male breast reduction is a surgical correction to reduce overdeveloped or enlarged breasts in men, a condition called gynecomastia. Gynecomastia refers to enlarged of glands in your breast tissue, not just fatty tissue. Male breast reduction surgery targets the excess fibrous tissue, flattening and contouring your chest for a more masculine look. Though a rarely talked about condition, gynecomastia affects as many as 40 to 60 percent of men.

Highly skilled plastic surgeon Dr. David Shokrian and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Mohammed Soliman Ahmed Elfar offer personalized care and detailed male chest reduction surgery at New York Breast Surgery Center. With two locations in New York City, these surgeons have delivered results to satisfied men for more than 14 years.

Dr. Shokrian adds, “While most breast-related procedures are geared toward women, such as for breast reductions or breast reconstructions, for example, we also serve a variety of men. Our techniques leave no visible scarring when you undergo the treatment for enlarged male breasts, and we deliver discreet services.”

What Causes Gynecomastia?

Several factors — including natural life stages, medications and supplement usage — can affect the appearance of your chest. In some cases, NYC experts have seen men whose gynecomastia affects only one breast, but it usually affects both. Gynecomastia mostly occurs because of an imbalance of testosterone and estrogen. It can appear during infancy, puberty or adulthood, or any time estrogen levels are too high or out of balance.

Clinical studies suggest that this condition is present even from a very early age. More than half of the male babies are born with enlarged breasts because of the mother’s high estrogen levels during pregnancy, but the breast tissue often becomes less prominent over several weeks. Also, about 24 to 65 percent of middle-aged males suffer from some level of gynecomastia.

“If you suffer from enlarged male breasts,” says Dr. Shokrian, “come in to New York Breast Surgery Center to have a talk about a possible breast procedure with me or my colleague. It’s a simple surgery that make a world of difference to your self-confidence and quality of life.”

Is Male Breast Reduction Surgery Right for Me?

If you suffer from overdeveloped breasts — and clearly want to have the surgery —you’re a good candidate for male breast reduction surgery. A personalized procedure, it addresses visibly large breasts. Other factors that determine your eligibility as an ideal candidate include:

• You lack confidence and are bothered by having large breasts.
• You’re in good health and of normal weight.
• You’ve failed to reduce the size of your chest through exercise or weight loss.
• Your skin is elastic and can be reshaped to the contour of your new chest.
• You have realistic expectations of what the surgery can do.

Before treatment, you need a consultation with an experienced NYC plastic surgeon, who determines whether your condition is really gynecomastia. The best plastic surgeons in NYC offer a personalized approach, a detailed examination and instructions on how to prepare for the surgery. Dr. Shokrian doesn’t recommend the procedure on males who haven’t finished puberty.

Dr. Shokrian: “We’ve had men come into our office feeling uncomfortable in their bodies and determined to make a change. Many of them maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and yet still struggle with enlarged chest tissue. Gynecomastia affects your confidence, the clothing you choose and above all, your everyday comfort. That’s why treatment helps beyond just the physical changes.”

Can I Get Other Procedures with My Gynecomastia Surgery?

Through customized correction procedures, your experienced plastic surgeon can also correct lopsided unevenness in the male chest. Often, by reducing your enlarged breasts, he creates a balanced look. But once your surgeon removes the extra glandular breast tissue, your chest may appear saggy, especially if you’ve had significant enlargement or loss of skin elasticity. In a complementary procedure, your surgeon can correct this.

Additionally, your areola and nipples may appear disproportionately large on your newly contoured chest. So your doctor may recommend adding another procedure, such as an areola reduction or nipple enlargement to create a flatter, balanced and more masculine contour. At New York Breast Surgery Center, your surgeon doesn’t make recommendations lightly, but only after thoroughly evaluating your chest, skin elasticity and your goals for a masculine look. When additional procedures are warranted, he recommends them.

How Is Gynecomastia Surgery Performed?

A gynecomastia procedure is an outpatient cosmetic procedure. Before performing the surgery at either the Midtown Manhattan or Great Neck, Long Island facility, your plastic surgeon decides on the type of anesthesia — general or local — depending on the complexity of your procedure. You discuss this detail during your consultation, when your surgeon also determines the type of surgery you need.

Dr. Shokrian continues the explanation: “After giving you the anesthesia, I begin with liposuction to remove the excess breast tissue. Since overdeveloped male breasts primarily result from excess fat, I insert the liposuction cannula through several small, rarely visible incisions. Moving it back and forth to loosen the excess fat, I then use the vacuum suction function to remove the fat.”

In case of excess skin, Dr. Shokrian may recommend excision, a technique used to remove the glandular breast tissue, using larger incisions. This becomes necessary if he recommends repositioning your nipple and areola to achieve your desired look. The incisions are then closed, and you receive a supportive compression vest over your chest to reduce the swelling while allowing the new contour to heal naturally. More often than not, your surgeon recommends both liposuction and excision for a more natural male chest contour.

How Long Is My Recovery after Gynecomastia Treatment?

Since it’s an outpatient procedure, you return home the same day. Depending on the incisions and your body’s healing capability, you can expect it to take four to six weeks to return to full daily activities. You can return to work after about five days. You can start light cardio workouts in about two weeks. All in all, it takes three to 12 months for your chest to completely heal.

“Our former patients report visible differences in their chest size after the swelling subsides,” says, Dr. Shokrian, “often after four to six weeks. While the recovery process varies between men, once the skin around your breast tissue tightens and the internal swelling resolves, the change we’ve made becomes visible. You’ll notice the difference.”

How Much Do I Have to Pay for My Male Breast Reduction Surgery?

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of male breast reduction surgery is $5,000 or more, excluding the anesthesia and facility fees. The total cost of the surgery to reduce male breast size depends on several factors, including:

• The surgeon’s fee
• Any required medical tests
• The anesthesia and anesthesiologist’s fee
• Prescriptions for pain medication
• Post-surgery appointments

Since the surgery is regarded as a cosmetic procedure, the cost usually isn’t covered by your insurance, as insurance only covers procedures that are deemed medically necessary. Even if the procedure is covered by insurance, the plastic surgeons at New York Breast Surgery Center are out-of-network, meaning they don’t have a pre-negotiated contract with insurance companies.

But the primary goal of the best plastic surgeons in Manhattan and Long Island for gynecomastia is your satisfaction. The team at this practice works closely with you to come up with the best financing solution, so you don’t have to postpone a procedure you clearly want. Before scheduling your surgery, you receive a detailed cost breakdown and possible financing plans.

With over three decades of experience, Dr. Elfar is a board-certified plastic surgeon who practices both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He specializes in male breast reduction. Practicing at New York Breast Surgery Center, Dr. Elfar offers a personalized treatment plan based on your anatomy and degree of glandular enlargement. Dr. Shokrian is a bona fide plastic surgeon and has shown extraordinary accomplishments in body contouring procedures, including liposuction.

New York Breast Surgery Center is a safe, reliable practice that has helped thousands of men feel comfortable in their bodies, regain their confidence and stop relying on loose clothing to conceal their imperfections. Schedule a consultation today with a plastic surgeon at New York Breast Surgery Center, either in Manhattan or Long Island.

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