Male Breast Reduction in Austin

Gynecomastia is a condition that can occur in males wherein excessive tissue develops in the chest region, giving the appearance of male breasts. Gynecomastia is more common than one might think and can be triggered by a variety of different factors, including:

• Hormonal changes
• Hereditary conditions
• Diseases (such as liver disease)
• Certain drugs and medication

While gynecomastia can develop in men of any age, it is more frequently seen in older men as well as adolescents. During these phases of life hormonal changes and imbalances are more common. Many adolescents experience gynecomastia to a certain extent during puberty due to normal hormonal changes. More often than not, gynecomastia in teenage males will eventually shrink and disappear within several years. However, if the condition persists beyond the age of 17 and into adulthood, gynecomastia is unlikely to resolve on its own at this point and may require surgery.

As men age, there is a gradual decrease in testosterone levels. For this reason, gynecomastia is more prevalent in males over the age of 50. In fact, about one-third of older men experience some degree of enlargement of the breast tissue. This can occur when testosterone deficiency skews the testosterone to estrogen ratio. When this type of hormonal imbalance occurs, there may not be enough testosterone present to block or balance out the estrogen, which can result in the stimulation of breast tissue development.

True Gynecomastia vs Pseudogynecomastia

True gynecomastia occurs when there is growth of the actual breast tissue. In overweight males, the appearance of male breasts can occur, but this is due to the proliferation of adipose breast tissue (fatty breasts) rather than glandular tissue. This is known as pseudogynecomastia and can usually be corrected through proper diet and exercise.

In cases of true gynecomastia, the breast tissue can be painful or tender. Glandular tissue tends to have a more rubbery, firmer feel than fatty tissue. True gynecomastia has also been described as having a spongy or concentric disc-shape feel that is typically centered around the areola.

Gynecomastia Treatment

The appearance of gynecomastia can be greatly reduced through a male breast reduction procedure. During gynecomastia surgery, a combination of liposuction and direct incision to excise the glandular tissue is employed. In some cases, ideal results may be achieved through lipoplasty techniques alone.

Male breast reduction is a fairly straightforward procedure performed on an outpatient basis. Most of our Austin gynecomastia surgery patients are able to return to work within 1 – 3 days after their procedure. Patients whose jobs involve strenuous physical activity (like heavy lifting) will likely need to wait a bit longer before returning to the job.

As with any surgical procedure, swelling is normal and may take several weeks to resolve fully. After this time period, patients will be able to enjoy their new look. Scars from gynecomastia surgery will fade over time and are easily hidden at the bottom of the areola.

The result of gynecomastia surgery is a firmer, smoother chest contour. Our Austin male breast reduction patients experience a considerable boost in self-confidence after the surgery. Gynecomastia reduction allows men to partake in activities like swimming or working out shirtless without feeling self-conscious or embarrassed.

View male breast reduction before and after photos »

Schedule a Gynecomastia Consultation in Austin

If you’re a male who is bothered by enlarged breasts, contact Personique today to schedule a free and confidential consultation with one of our board certified plastic surgeons in Austin. Call (512) 459-6800 or click on the Consultation Request button at the top of this page to get started!