Like thinning hair in women, gynecomastia has long been a subject that is avoided in most social situations. The reason is that some medical issues are considered gender-specific. In the same way that balding is considered a “male” problem, issues with the breasts are considered to affect only women. But thousands of men live with gynecomastia, a condition that causes male breast enlargement. Living with enlarged breasts is difficult for any man, but the stigma that is associated with gynecomastia keeps most men from seeking treatment. As the subject of enlarged male breasts has become more mainstream, Dr. Kole is seeing a steady increase in male patients who wish to correct the cosmetic effects of the condition.
Enlarged Male Breasts and Fitness
One of the primary reasons that men do not seek corrective surgery for their gynecomastia is that enlarged male breasts are considered a sign of an inactive lifestyle and poor fitness. In truth, these men have enlarged breasts due to genetics and other factors. Male babies often have breast buds that disappear over time, but some men have a predisposition for retaining the breast buds. Using certain medications and steroids is another reason why men develop breasts.
Treatment Options for Gynecomastia
If you are considering cosmetic surgery for enlarged male breasts related to gynecomastia, Dr. Kole wants you to understand your treatment options. Men experience two types of gynecomastia — true gynecomastia that involves the glandular tissue of the breast and pseudogynecomastia that involves the fat tissue of the breast. Most men have a combination of the two types of gynecomastia. Surgery for true gynecomastia requires removing the glandular tissue, and pseudogynecomastia involves removing excess fat, normally with liposuction. The surgical removal of tissue is achieved via an incision at the bottom of the areola. Scarring is minimal as the incisions are less than one-inch in length. Once the incision is made, Dr. Kole’s extensive experience with treating gynecomastia is critical to a successful outcome. For male breast enlargement, the surgeon must know precisely how much tissue to remove to give the chest area a masculine appearance. Dr. Kole finds a perfect balance of removing adequate tissue to prevent a recurrence of breast enlargement and maintaining adequate tissue to preserve the natural chest contours.
The majority of men live without enlarged breasts after the surgery. Approximately one in 10 men experience a recurrence of breast enlargement after the surgery.