Gynecomastia, a benign enlargement of the male breast tissue, is very common. When the condition does not improve on its own, an appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon may be the next step. However, in order for me to place their trust in a plastic surgeon, they must first have an overall understanding of their condition.
Incidence of Gynecomastia
Up to 65% of all men will experience enlarged breasts at some point in their life. One of the most common causes of gynecomastia relates to a hormonal imbalance. At different stages in life, the ratio of estrogen and androgen can fluctuate, resulting in additional glandular tissue.
- 32-65% of all men will be affected by gynecomastia at some point
- Neonatal gynecomastia is normally temporary, seen in 60-90% of newborns
- Pubertal gynecomastia begins about 10 and peaks between 13-14 years old
- Senile gynecomastia peeks in men 50-80
Additionally, apart from hormonal fluctuations, there are other causes of gynecomastia such as illness, medications, recreational drugs, and a buildup of adipose (fatty) tissue.
- Medications are responsible for to 25% of all gynecomastia cases.
- Up to 58% of all gynecomastia is idiopathic, or has no known cause
Treating Gynecomastia
At times, gynecomastia will spontaneously improve, however, for some men, the condition does not go away on its own. If the excess breast tissue has not resolved after 12 to 24 months, cosmetic surgery may be necessary.
- Last year, 24,753 male breast reductions were performed in the United States
- Male breast reductions increased by 22% between 2000 and 2018
- The average cost of a male breast reduction is between $4,500 and $7,500
Male Breast Reduction Recovery and Results
A male breast reduction is performed as an outpatient procedure, with the patient home resting that same day. To ensure the best results, patients should carefully follow their operating surgeon’s recovery instructions.
- Surgery will take from one to two hours, depending on the extent of correction.
- Several 3-4 mm incisions will be made around the nipple/areola
- Gynecomastia surgery has a 95% ‘Worth It’ rating from RealSelf.
- Recovery takes one to two weeks
- Most men are back at work in 3 to 5 days
- A compression garment will need to be worn from 3-6 weeks
- No heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks
- To prevent darkening, avoid direct sunlight on the scar for 6 months
Dr. Paul Vitenas: Houston’s Top Gynecomastia Specialits
Dr. Vitenas is a Houston-area board-certified plastic surgeon. His extensive experience and training with the most renowned gynecomastia surgeons around the world gives Dr. Vitenas an advantage in male breast reduction techniques. Knowledgeable in male anatomy and experienced with patients of all ages, Dr. Vitenas is sought after by patients from across the United States.
- Vitenas has over 30 years of gynecomastia experience
- Call our office at 281.668.7370 to get more information on the male breast reduction procedure
- Fill out the online Contact Us form to have our patient coordinator reach you to you
- Consultations at Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery are always confidential.