Gynecomastia Maryland
Dr Tattelbaum is a specialist in gynecomastia and male breast reduction surgery.
What is gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a common medical condition which causes excess breast tissue in men or boys. The amount of tissue varies between people; it can be a small amount around the areola or it can be more prominent.
There are two main types of tissue which contribute to the shape and size of the breast: glandular tissue and fatty tissue. Gynecomastia occurs when there is more of one, or both, of these tissues than normal. Fortunately, the condition can be treated in a number of ways to achieve a desired aesthetic result and restore a person’s confidence.
What are the causes of male breast enlargement?
There are a wide range of causes for gynecomastia, including:
Hormone imbalance – Excess glandular tissue often forms as a result of an imbalance between testosterone and oestrogen. Higher levels of oestrogen can occur naturally in some people, which is what leads them to develop gynecomastia.
Obesity – Being overweight is another common cause of gynecomastia. Not only does obesity tend to increase levels of oestrogen, it also results in a build-up of excess fat around the breast area. We always recommend a healthy diet and plenty of exercise as a first option to remedy this; however, it’s impossible to target specific spots on our body for fat reduction and some patients find they cannot shift the excessive breast tissue no matter how much they exercise.
Other causes – Gynecomastia can occur naturally around certain age ranges, such as puberty or old age. It may also result from significant weight loss, where excess skin causes the appearance of breasts. There are also rarer causes such as a reaction to medicine, excessive alcohol consumption or other pre-existing health conditions.
How to deal with gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is relatively simple to treat through male breast reduction surgery, where the excess tissue is removed and the patient is left with a flatter chest. We will be able to determine the best course of action for you as part of your consultation.
Of course, exercise and a healthy diet are always recommended and can prove enough to reduce gynecomastia over the course of months and years. However, sometimes lifestyle changes are not enough to leave people feeling confident enough with their own bodies, which often depends on the underlying causes of excess tissue.
What to expect from a male breast reduction procedure
The exact nature of your treatment will depend on several factors, such as as whether you have excess glandular or fatty tissue and your desired goals. An experienced surgeon will either use liposuction or excision techniques to remove the excess breast tissue.
In the case that liposuction is the preferred method, the procedure generally takes anywhere from 60-90 minutes and can be performed as a day case under general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will remove the excess fat issue via small incisions around the nipple or underneath the arm.
Male breast reduction surgery can also be performed in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures to achieve your overall desired result.
Ideal candidates for male breast reduction
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your chest or have excess fat or excess skin that is causing you significant anxiety or embarrassment then you may be a good candidate for breast reduction surgery.
At the very least, it’s worth talking to an experienced cosmetic surgeon to discuss your options and see what types of procedures are available to you.
We provide free consultations for this very purpose.
Recovering from male breast reduction surgery
The typical recovery time from gynecomastia surgery is around one to two weeks. During this time you will experience some swelling, tenderness and pain around the treated area – this is all completely normal. You will also need to avoid any strenuous activities or exercise during this period.
We typically ask you to wear a compression garment during your recovery process in order to control the swelling and support your body as it heals.
Is non-surgical gynecomastia treatment an option?
The best form of non-surgical treatment for gynecomastia is plenty of exercise and a healthy diet, though this doesn’t always solve the issue. There are also other heavily marketed solutions available online, though these treatments are often ineffective and do not lead to the level of results that patients typically want to achieve.
How long will it take to see results?
When resolved through surgery, the results are immediately visible. Of course this also improves over time, once your swelling subsides and incision lines fade.
Patients generally see their final results anywhere from 3-6 following the surgery.
What will the scars look like?
Dr Tattelbaum is an expert in minimizing surgical scars, particularly from liposuction and excision procedures. Over time your scars will fade and blend in naturally with the rest of your normal skin.
Schedule a consultation
If you’re thinking about male breast reduction surgery then feel free to get in touch to arrange a consultation. Our friendly team are always on hand to discuss your challenges and help you decide the best course of action.
“I had an amazing experience with Dr. Tattelbaum. He was thorough, went over every detail and was always available. He even called to check on me personally several times. My results look amazing and I could not have asked for a better experience!”
Taylor Prewitt
