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Gynecomastia correction, or male breast reduction, by Dr. Zuckerman. Frontal view. Patient pictured before and two months post-op. Patient required direct excision of male breast tissue and therefore inframmary fold incisions. Some patient may be able to be treated with liposuction alone, thereby avoiding this incision.
Gynecomastia correction, or male breast reduction, by Dr. Zuckerman. Frontal view. Patient pictured before and two months post-op. Patient required direct excision of male breast tissue and therefore inframmary fold incisions. Some patient may be able to be treated with liposuction alone, thereby avoiding this incision.

Introduction to Male Breast Reduction Surgery (Gynecomastia)

Men who have excess breast and glandular tissue suffer from the medical condition known as gynecomastia and may be good candidates for male breast reduction surgery by Dr. Zuckerman, a permanent method of addressing these issues. While not often discussed, this condition is relatively common, affecting up to half the male population and is the second most commonly performed male plastic surgery procedure. It can occur in both those who are overweight and those who are not. If you experience anxiety about your appearance that prevents you from participating in normal activities such as sports, gym exercise, or simply removing your shirt in front of others, you may be a good candidate for this surgery. Male breast reduction surgery is very effective at reducing the appearance of enlarged male breasts through the removal of excess skin and breast tissue. Gynecomastia is not something a person just has to learn to live with. Depending on the severity of the condition, Dr. Zuckerman may able to treat it with liposuction alone, creating no external horizontal scarring outside of millimeter width “poke holes”.

The cause of gynecomastia is multifactorial, and male breasts can also develop at a range of ages from adolescence to middle age and may occur due to a variety of factors. Male breast reduction surgery by Dr. Zuckerman can not only improve the appearance of your chest area, but it can also restore one’s confidence and mental well-being. Dr. Zuckerman performs this procedure in the accredited operating room facilities inside his office for maximum discretion, privacy, and comfort. He is an expert in both male and female aesthetic breast surgery and was trained in plastic surgery at some of the most elite institutions in the world including Brown University and New York University (NYU). He will work with you to ensure the most efficacious treatment possible in a safe, comfortable, and private manner.

Male Breast Reduction Surgery (Gynecomastia)

Am I A Candidate For Male Breast Reduction Surgery?

Gynecomastia can develop for a number of reasons and while it typically appears in adolescence, it may develop later in life as well. The condition is characterized in males by an enlargement of the breasts due to excess skin, fat, and in more severe cases glandular tissue. Excess deposits of fat in this region may be difficult or impossible to eliminate even with a healthy lifestyle of diet and regular exercise. If you experience anxiety about your appearance in public or during exercise due to your enlarged breasts, you may be a good candidate for this surgery. In some cases, male breasts can lead to psychological issues or depression, as a result of a feeling of isolation and stigmatization. Gynecomastia is multifactorial, but is often due to irregularities in the production or regulation of the hormones testosterone and estrogen which, despite a common misconception, is present in males. The condition may also present due to the blocking of testosterone by certain medications or underlying endocrine conditions. Male breasts may be caused by one of more of the following factors:

  • Some medications: Medications containing the hormone estrogen or anti-androgens, which block the body’s use of testosterone, for example those used in the treatment of prostate cancer or enlarged prostate. In addition, medications including diazepam (Valium), antidepressants, chemotherapy drugs, and others may also be responsible for the condition of enlarged male breasts.
  • Use of anabolic steroids: Unfortunately, attempts to build your muscle mass and sculpt your body may have unintended consequences.
  • Drugs: Use of alcohol, marijuna, and other drugs has been shown to affect gynecomastia. If you use marijuana excessively, Dr. Zuckerman may recommend eliminating such usage before attempting to undergo surgery.
  • Underlying genetic conditions: Klinefelter Syndrome and other testicular function problems.
  • Tumors: Some tumors may also affect hormone regulation and be responsible for gynecomastia.
  • Obesity: While not the only cause of this condition, it is more prevalent in those who are overweight.
  • Aging: Over time, the distribution of fat deposits may change, leading to an increase in the appearance of breast tissue.
  • Other conditions: Liver failure / cirrhosis, kidney function issues, or thyroid gland problems may all contribute.

Because this condition has several potential causes, there are few strict inclusion criteria for candidate patients, but Dr. Zuckerman will recommend an appropriate medical work-up before surgery. This may include an endocrine panel, testicular exam, and thorough medical history to determine causation. The surgery can be performed on young men, possibly even those under twenty years of age, but requires the appropriate candidate. In addition, in some cases insurance may cover part or all of the cost of surgery.

Dr. Zuckerman does recommend that those who are above a maximum BMI lose weight through diet, exercise, and other methods before undergoing gynecomastia correction surgery. It is also important that patients who undergo this surgery have enough skin elasticity to ensure adequate postoperative skin contraction. Consequently, those who have significant sun damage, are age fifty or older, or have undergone significant weight loss may not be good candidates. Dr. Zuckerman will discuss with you at your initial consultation after a brief physical exam if your skin elasticity is adequate to allow for a successful operation. Dr. Zuckerman also recommends you cease excessive drinking of alcohol and use of marijuana for a period before undergoing gynecomastia correction surgery. If you are a male in good health and have reasonable expectations for your aesthetic appearance, you could be a good candidate for this surgery.

Dr. Zuckerman will help you evaluate your candidacy in a private cosmetic surgery consultation in his midtown Manhattan office. He encourages you to ask any and all questions you may have including any questions on causation of your condition, surgical outcomes, if weight loss before surgery is necessary for you, and if your skin elasticity is sufficient. Surgery can help you eliminate excess skin and breast tissue to achieve a more contoured, athletic chest, and it may also significantly increase your self-confidence and lower anxiety during daily activities.

Male Breast Reduction Surgery (Gynecomastia)

Male Breast Reduction Surgery in Detail

An illustration of the three possible ways that Dr. Zuckerman may perform male breast reduction surgery in increasing severity. Top: Liposuction only, Middle: Liposuction plus areolar incision, Bottom: modified Roberts pattern. Source: ASPS
An illustration of the three possible ways that Dr. Zuckerman may perform male breast reduction surgery in increasing severity. Top: Liposuction only, Middle: Liposuction plus areolar incision, Bottom: modified Roberts pattern. Source: ASPS

Depending on the degree of enlargement, Dr. Zuckerman will approach your male breast reduction surgery in one of three ways as described below.

Male Breast Reduction with Liposuction Alone (Mild to Moderate Cases)

For mild to moderate cases, Dr. Zuckerman will remove fat in breast area via liposuction alone, which avoids any incisions outside of small poke holes in a few regions of the breast area. Liposuction incisions are only a few millimeters across and typically heal to essentially imperceptible scars, which is one of the reasons liposuction is the most popular cosmetic plastic surgery procedure of the body nationwide. This method also minimizes recovery and downtime. This approach is demonstrated in the top diagram.

Male Breast Reduction with Periareolar Incision (Moderate Cases)

For moderate cases, Dr. Zuckerman will combine the above liposuction-based approach with an incision around the bottom half of the nipple areolar complex. The areola is the more darkly pigmented area around the nipple. This approach is demonstrated in the middle diagram. He will remove breast glandular tissue via direct excision and with liposuction. After surgery, the patient will have a relatively invisible scar along the border of the areola. Perioareolar, or around the areola, incisions are commonly used in female breast reductions and breast augmentation as well, because they camouflage nicely with the more pigmented tissue on the border of the areola.

Male Breast Reduction with Under-Breast Incision (Severe Cases)

For more severe cases of gynecomastia, Dr. Zuckerman will employ what is known as a modified Roberts pattern. In this case, the patient will have an incision along the fold below the breast after surgery. It is also possible to perform male breast reduction surgery by making small incisions hidden in the armpit. Dr. Zuckerman will then remove excess skin, deposits of fat, and breast glandular tissue.

Depending on the surgical approach Dr. Zuckerman recommends for your procedure, he will perform your male breast reduction procedure as an outpatient under local anesthesia / sedation or general anesthesia. He more often recommends general anesthesia for its safety, comfort, and possibly better surgical outcomes. See the liposuction guide for more information on the tradeoff between local versus general anesthesia. The length of the procedure will vary with the approach taken, but most procedures are completed in under two hours with the liposuction approach being the shortest. You may undergo surgery at Dr. Zuckerman’s state-of-the-art, fully equipped operating room located inside his office in midtown Manhattan. This operatory facility has been certified by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. (AAAASF), certifying it as a facility that offers an equally high standard of care as a hospital. The privacy, discretion, and convenience of Dr. Zuckerman’s private in-office operating room facility is an exclusive benefit of Zuckerman Plastic Surgery that many patients appreciate. Should you desire, you may also undergo surgery with Dr. Zuckerman at Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital, a major hospital in Manhattan in the Northwell system where all types of breast, body, and face cosmetic surgery procedures are performed. Dr. Zuckerman is on staff in the department of plastic surgery for Northwell system hospitals in Manhattan among others.

Male Breast Reduction Surgery (Gynecomastia)

Male Breast Reduction Surgery Recovery

Recovery from the procedure varies with the surgical approach taken, but most patients can resume normal activities within a few days. Some degree of swelling and discomfort should be expected immediately after surgery. On the day of surgery, Dr. Zuckerman applies a long-acting local anesthetic called EXPAREL® for all male breast reduction patients. Whereas most traditional pain medicines last up to a maximum of twelve hours, EXPAREL® gradually releases medication to a particular region for up to three days. This approach is a significant departure from previous techniques and minimizes postoperative pain and discomfort. Patients may even avoid the need for narcotic pain medication altogether.

Male Breast Reduction Surgery (Gynecomastia)

Risks of Male Breast Reduction Surgery

Male breast reduction surgery is overwhelmingly safe when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Zuckerman is an expert in both male and female breast surgery and is highly experienced with male breast reduction surgery. He uses the latest techniques to ensure patient safety, comfort, and to minimize the risk of complications. However, as with all surgery, there are possible, albeit rare, complications including:

  • Wound breakdown
  • Alterations in nipple sensation
  • Hypertrophic, raised, scarring
  • Bleeding or hematoma formation
  • Infection of the incision sites
    Male Breast Reduction Surgery (Gynecomastia)

    Frequently Asked Questions About Male Breast Reduction Surgery

    Below are the answers to some questions Dr. Zuckerman most frequently receives from prospective patients. If you don’t see your question below, feel free to contact Dr. Zuckerman’s office, and a member of his staff will be glad to reach out to you.

    Male Breast Reduction Surgery (Gynecomastia)

    Request Your Male Breast Reduction Surgery Consultation

    Are you ready for your male breast reduction surgery (gynecomastia) consultation with Dr. Zuckerman? He will perform a thorough evaluation of your desired outcome and needs based on your anatomy and medical history. Dr. Zuckerman will also address any questions or concerns you may have about the surgery and discuss with you the details of his approach: incision location(s), procedure length and techniques, likely operative outcome, etc. Contact his office by clicking the button below or by calling (212) 231-9897. Dr. Zuckerman also offers consultations via Skype and a process for out-of-town patients to visit New York City to have surgery with him.

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    Disclaimer: These Are Actual Results For Patients Of Dr. Zuckerman Plastic Surgery. Results Can Vary Between Patients.
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