Gynecomastia (Male
Breast Reduction) in Raleigh & Cary, NC

Yes, men can undergo breast reduction to correct overdeveloped or enlarged breast tissue/gland. This surgery addresses what is referred to as gynecomastia.

Chest gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement, is a condition in which men develop excess chest tissue that is more breast-like in nature. Although diet and exercise may help in some cases, gynecomastia is usually treated with surgery to reduce the mass of the tissue in the breasts. This will provide an immediate solution and eliminate the breast tissue.

Gynecomastia is comprised of both breast and fat tissue. As you lose weight, your fat cells will decrease in size, but the breast tissue will remain the same. Therefore, your breast size will decrease overall, but the excess breast tissue will not disappear with exercise.

Surgery is a permanent option to address gynecomastia by removing the excess breast tissue in the chest.

While diet and exercise can reduce the overall amount of fat tissue in your chest, nonsurgical options cannot remove the excess breast tissue.

Many patients report mild to moderate soreness and discomfort during the first few days after surgery to reduce gynecomastia. Most patients typically only take narcotic pain medication for the first few days or week after surgery. The discomfort and tenderness improves within the first week or so. Within 1-2 weeks, patients are typically back at work, and patients can resume exercise at 6 weeks after surgery.

Gynecomastia, or the enlargement of male breast tissue, can be caused by hormonal imbalances, certain medications (such as steroids or antidepressants), weight gain, genetics, and underlying medical conditions. It often results from an imbalance of estrogen and testosterone levels.

Most patients can return to normal daily activities within a few days and resume work within a week, depending on the nature of their job. Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for 6 weeks after surgery. Swelling and bruising typically subside within a few weeks, and final results are evaluated at 3 months after surgery.

In some cases, gynecomastia can be managed without surgery through lifestyle changes, weight loss, hormone therapy, or stopping medications that contribute to breast tissue growth. However, if there is significant glandular tissue development rather than fat accumulation, surgery is often the most effective solution.

Typically, the results of gynecomastia surgery are long-lasting so long as patients maintain a stable weight and avoid medications or substances that can cause hormonal imbalances. However, significant weight gain, certain medications, or hormonal fluctuations could contribute to the recurrence of excess breast tissue in rare cases. It is also important to note that general aging continues occurring over time.