Gynecomastia affects between 50% and 65% of men worldwide. The condition can make it difficult to feel confident in intimate relationships or even expose your bare chest at the beach.
While Gynecomastia sometimes naturally goes away on its own throughout the teenage years, it often follows men into adulthood. If you’re one of the many men experiencing Gynecomastia as an adult, you’re likely considering having surgery to correct the course and gain your self-esteem and self-confidence back.
If you’re looking to have Gynecomastia surgery in New York City, Dr. Schulman is the experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who can help with that.
Gynecomastia is a medical condition in which boys and men experience excess glandular breast tissue that causes an enlargement in the male breasts. The condition is often referred to as man boobs, and it can occur at any stage in a man’s life.
Gynecomastia can occur in one or both male breasts and typically presents itself with the following symptoms:
It’s important to understand that Gynecomastia isn’t the same as having enlarged breasts due to weight gain or obesity. Gynecomastia will feel firmer to the touch. In most cases, there will be a hard lump beneath the skin, whereas fatty tissue remains soft.
An hormonal imbalance of of testosterone and estrogen hormones often causes gynecomastia.
In adolescents, Gynecomastia is usually associated with higher-than-average levels of estrogen in the body as boys go through puberty. In adult men, Gynecomastia can be associated with hormone levels in addition to certain medical conditions, including:
However, Gynecomastia can also occur due to excessive substance use, including alcohol and marijuana, as well as certain prescription medications that cause weight gain.
“Your enlarged chest probably makes you feel self-conscious. It may be preventing you from taking off your shirt at the pool and beach, or it may make you feel embarrassed in the locker room. The enlargement may have developed during puberty or it may have been the result of weight gain or weight loss. The good thing is that if you want to reduce your chest, you have the opportunity.
Treating an enlarged male breasts may involve liposuction to remove excess fat and excess tissue, removal of excess skin, or a combination of both. We will figure out the best plan for you and help you get on your way to improved confidence.”
Wondering if you’re a good candidate for male breast reduction procedure?
Good candidates for male chest reduction patients are healthy adult males who exhibit the symptoms of Gynecomastia and are unhappy with their appearance because of it. Candidates should be in good general health, within the normal weight limits for their height and age, and have realistic expectations for the surgery results.
Additionally, good candidates for Gyno surgery are willing to follow all pre-and post-operative care instructions for optimal results. They should also be non-smokers or willing to quit smoking weeks before the surgery to ensure their health and safety aren’t compromised during the healing process.
We encourage all men in NYC experiencing Gynecomastia to schedule a consultation with Dr. Schulman to determine their candidacy for the surgery.
Gynecomastia is considered a very safe surgical procedure when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon with the training, skills, and experience, such as Dr. Schulman. Of course, as with any surgery, there are risks, which Dr. Schulman will discuss with you during your initial consultation.
The outpatient procedure is essentially painless as local and general anesthesia are administered beforehand. Depending on the circumstances of your condition, Dr. Schulman will either opt for the liposuction technique, surgical excision technique, or a combination of both to correct your Gynecomastia. This will also be discussed during your consultation after Dr. Schulman thoroughly evaluates your breast area and determines the best course of treatment for the correction.
You can expect the procedure to take two to four hours, after which you can return home. However, since the procedure involves anesthesia, you will have to arrange for transportation home as you won’t be permitted to drive.
My chest got larger when I was 14 and I was really embarrassed about it. It took me almost 20 years to do the surgery and I only regret not doing it 19 years earlier.
The recovery time for Gynecomastia surgery is relatively quick. It will take approximately six weeks before you can resume most activities.
The first week of recovery, however, is crucial. Therefore, you should plan to take the full week off from work and make the appropriate arrangements for your care. You will also be directed to wear a compression garment at all times (except to shower) for at least three weeks to ensure proper healing and contouring. You will also be given specific post-operative care instructions to follow.
Dr. Schulman will also likely prescribe pain medication for the first few days of your recovery. However, you can expect any pain and soreness to significantly subside within the first three to five days of your recovery.
The price of Gynecomastia surgery varies.
Your Gynecomastia treatment cost, however, depends on several factors. The primary factor will be the surgery technique used. Additional factors include surgeon’s fees, facility fees, anesthesia fees, post-surgery compression garments, and follow-up visits.
Dr. Schulman will discuss the exact cost of your Gynecomastia treatment prior to the surgery.
Before going into surgery, it’s wise to learn everything you can about it. While Dr. Schulman is always happy to answer specific questions during the consultation, your questions will be much more targeted if you get some of the basics out of the way first. Accordingly, here are some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers.
The Gynecomastia surgery prices can range from $7,500-$12,000 , depending on the surgical technique involved, among other factors. Generally speaking, you can expect Want to know the Gynecomastia surgery starting price. Call (212) 289-1851
If your Gynecomastia (or man boobs) is caused mainly by excess fatty glandular tissue, then it’s possible that losing weight will effectively correct the condition. However, if your Gynecomastia has resulted in a hard lump, surgery is the only way to correct it.
The surgery can work for teens, though note that if teens are not yet done developing or have a medical condition that has not stabilized, they may need additional surgeries in future. If you are concerned about a teen’s self-confidence, it may be worth it to do the surgery even though the teen’s body will continue to change.
The procedure is performed in Dr. Schulman’s fully accredited office operating room. You will be given anesthesia to make you fall asleep and you will be continuously monitored by our Board Certified Anesthesiologist. After the procedure, you will remain in our recovery room until you feel good enough to go home the same day.
Gynecomastia, a frequent occurrence, involves an overgrowth of glandular tissue in male breasts due to hormonal imbalances. Anabolic steroid use is a primary contributor.
Typically, surgery is performed between the ages of 16 and 20, with a potential window extending up to 65 years old. Nonetheless, Dr. Schulman advises opting for it sooner rather than later, as it can alleviate significant psychological strain. This procedure can significantly enhance self-esteem and positively influence academic pursuits.
Gynecomastia is considered an elective plastic surgery. Therefore, it is not typically covered by health insurance. However, if your Gynecomastia has been deemed medically necessary, such is the case of possible breast carcinoma, your insurance may cover the treatment.
The Gynecomastia procedure requires a small incision around the nipples, so minimal scarring is expected. Fortunately, the incisions are usually small and easily hidden, and the scars will undoubtedly fade over time.
It is quite possible that following the surgery, you may have drains placed to prevent a buildup of fluid. You will empty these drains daily and most men have the drains removed 5-7 days after surgery. Whether or not drains are required will depend on exactly what type of procedure you are having done.
Yes. A surgical compression garment is helpful during the recovery period to reduce swelling and bruising. It will also help your skin to retract, improving your overall results. You will have the compression garment on when you wake up from surgery and will continue to wear it for 6-8 weeks. Most men find this garment comfortable and easy to hide discretely beneath clothing.
They shouldn’t. However, major fluctuations weight may affect the results and cause tissue to regrow. This is why you will need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to preserve the results of any cosmetic procedure.
Also, if your breast tissue is the result of medications, recreational drug use, or hormonal abnormalities that are not corrected, then the tissue may regrow. This is why it is important to try to figure out the cause of your excess glandular tissue growth before the surgery, so that changes can be made to help preserve your surgical results.
When you’re ready to get rid of your Gynecomastia and regain your self-confidence, experienced plastic surgeons like Dr. Schulman and his team of plastic surgery experts are awaiting your call.
Schedule your consultation today to learn more about how we’ll approach and correct your Gynecomastia right here in New York City!
