Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is an enlargement of the tissues of the breasts in boys and men that is not in proportion to the rest of the body. True gynecomastia is an abnormal growth of dense breast tissue. It can be the result of an excess of hormones, an exaggerated response of the breast tissue to a normal level of hormones, drugs, and medications. The excess tissue can also be an excess accumulation of fat sometimes associated with excess skin and drooping of the breasts. Most adult males have a combination of true breast tissue and fat. Although true gynecomastia can sometimes be uncomfortable, especially in preteens and teenagers, most men have no symptoms. That being said, gynecomastia is a source of social embarrassment. It can interfere with activities such as swimming, wearing comfortable clothes in warm weather, and personal relationships. Once the cause is known all types of gynecomastia can be treated. Most male breast reduction procedures involve a combination of removing the dense gynecomastia tissue in addition to modifying the surrounding fat. Most procedures are done through relatively small incisions removing the dense tissue and treating the surrounding areas with liposuction. Large amounts of fat usually associated with drooping may require excision of excess skin. This means more scars. At Personal Choice Surgical Center, LLC, these procedures are performed with intravenous sedation and local block anesthesia. Recovery varies with the extent of the procedure, the optimal results being appreciated three to six months later. One note of caution: the sudden onset of unilateral gynecomastia in an adult male should be evaluated for male breast cancer.