Men Can Have a Breast Reduction, Too

When you think of breast surgeries, you might think of breast lifts or enhancements, which are both usually pursued by women. Many women also get breast reduction surgeries, particularly if their breasts are large or heavy enough to cause back pain and problems. Breast reduction surgeries aren’t exclusive to women though: In fact, around 20,000 men get breast reduction surgery every year to treat a condition called gynecomastia. 

At Women’s Health Institute in Macon and Warner Robins, Georgia, cosmetic surgeon Nnaemeka Umerah, MD, and board-certified aesthetic specialist Anayo Umerah MD, FAAFP, can restore your chest’s masculine shape using surgical and nonsurgical breast reduction procedures. They invite you in for a consultation to discuss your gynecomastia and choose from our selection of breast reduction options. 

Why gynecomastia happens

Gynecomastia is a term for the overgrowth of breast tissue on men and boys. Everyone has at least a little breast tissue, but overdeveloped breasts might give you a more feminine appearance than you would prefer to have. Gynecomastia can affect either one or both breasts, and it can start at any age including infancy. 

Sometimes gynecomastia doesn’t have a singular identifiable cause. However, it’s usually a benign (noncancerous) form of tissue overgrowth and often related to hormone changes. You might develop gynecomastia in one or both breasts because of:

• Specific medications (e.g. antidepressants, cancer treatments)
• Kidney diseases
• Lung diseases
• Congenital conditions
• Obesity
• Injuries in the breast area
• Tumors of the adrenal or pituitary glands

When gynecomastia occurs in newborns, it’s usually because their mother’s estrogen is still in their blood for a while after birth. Many cases of gynecomastia in infancy and beyond eventually go away on their own, but you may want treatment sooner than that. 

How male breast reductions work

Conservative care for the underlying cause of your gynecomastia may get rid of the excessive breast tissue. Stopping the use of a specific medication or managing your weight may be enough to flatten your chest. If nonsurgical measures don’t work, Women’s Health Institute offers two procedures to reduce the size of your breasts: 

BodyTite by InMode™

BodyTite is a type of radiofrequency-assisted liposuction that loosens and liquifies your excess breast tissue. Vacuum suction then removes that tissue as the radiofrequency simultaneously tightens your skin for a natural-looking result. 

Power-assisted liposuction 

Our power-assisted liposuction (PAL®) procedure uses the PAL liposuction system by MicroAire® to remove fatty tissue from your breast through a cannula or thin tube. Gentle vibration loosens the tissue so it comes out without resistance. 

Should you consider a breast reduction?

Gynecomastia breast reductions aren’t medically necessary, but they can masculinize your chest and increase your self-confidence when no other strategies seem to work. Dr. Umerah ensures satisfactory results using the latest evidence-based breast reduction procedures and can tell you if you’re a candidate after a brief one-on-one consultation. 

If you’re unhappy with your gynecomastia, call your nearest Women’s Health Institute or schedule a consultation online for more information on men’s breast reductions today.