American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Post your question to Ask a Surgeon to get an authoritative and trustworthy answer from our ASPS member surgeons or share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community. The views expressed in Ask a Surgeon and the Patient Community are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community or post your question to Ask a Surgeon to get an authoritative and trustworthy answer from our ASPS member surgeons. The views expressed in Ask a Surgeon and the Patient Community are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Post your question to Ask a Surgeon to get an authoritative and trustworthy answer from our ASPS member surgeons

or share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community. The views expressed in Ask a Surgeon and the Patient Community are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Share your journey with other people just like you on the Patient Community

or post your question to Ask a Surgeon to get an authoritative and trustworthy answer from our ASPS member surgeons. The views expressed in Ask a Surgeon and the Patient Community are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

What is Male Breast Reduction?

What is gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a condition of over-developed or enlarged breasts in men that can occur at any age. The condition can be the result of hormonal changes, heredity, obesity, or the use of certain drugs. Gynecomastia can cause emotional discomfort and impair your self confidence. Some men may even avoid certain physical activities and intimacy simply to hide their condition.

Gynecomastia is characterized by:

Excess localized fat
Excess glandular tissue development
Sometimes excess breast skin
Presence unilaterally (one breast) or bilaterally (both breasts)

What is Male Breast Reduction?

Plastic surgery to correct gynecomastia is technically called reduction mammaplasty. The procedure reduces breast size, flattening and enhancing the chest contours. In severe cases of gynecomastia, the weight of excess breast tissue may cause the breasts to sag and stretch the areola (the dark skin surrounding the nipple). In these cases the position and size of the areola can be surgically improved and excess skin may be reduced.

Is it right for me?

You are physically healthy and of relatively normal weight
You have realistic expectations
Your breast development has stabilized
You are bothered by the feeling that your breasts are too large

Adolescents may benefit from surgery, although secondary procedures may be needed in the future should breast development continue.

Surgical correction of gynecomastia is best performed on:

Men whose condition cannot be corrected through alternative medical treatments
Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
Non-smokers and non-drug users
Men with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for improving the physical symptoms of gynecomastia