Gynecomastia

Q: Is there a treatment for gynecomastia? I’ve had abnormally large breasts ever since high school despite exercise and weight loss?

A: Gynecomastia is abnormal persistence of breast tissue after puberty. It represents the most common breast abnormality in men. Most pubertal breast enlargement resolves on its own while most post-pubertal cases require intervention. Before surgery is considered, a thorough medical workup should be performed to exclude any pathological causes of the gynecomastia. In the vast majority of men, the workup is negative at which point direct treatment can be safely recommended.

Gynecomastia is staged according to its severity as well as the tissue composition. Breast enlargement can be composed of both breast tissue and fat. The amount of each will determine what type of treatment will work best for you. In over 85% of cases ultrasonic-assisted liposuction is all that is necessary to correct the problem. In some cases breast tissue must also be removed by direct surgical excision and in a small percentage of cases a true breast reduction must be performed. Based on a thorough examination and consultation, the appropriate procedure will be selected to correct the problem with the least amount of incisions and scarring. For a complimentary consultation call my office or log onto my website at www.drhainer.com.