Male Breast Reduction Maryland

 
If you have a hard time picking out the right shirt to wear because you want to hide your chest, you may be in need of male breast reduction. Having male breasts, technically known as gynecomastia, is a common problem that can have many causes.

What Is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a condition in which excess tissue is present in the male chest. The excess tissue can be fat, glandular breast tissue, or a combination of both. It often persists for years unless action is taken.

This condition is harmless yet embarrassing and affects millions of men. A male breast reduction can permanently help those suffering from gynecomastia.

Potential Causes of Gynecomastia

Excess male breast tissue typically forms when the tissues receive a surge of estrogen to trigger growth. More men find themselves diagnosed with hormone imbalances than ever before, and it’s likelier than ever to have your testosterone and estrogen out of balance.

Medical problems can cause gynecomastia, such as:

• Low testosterone levels
• Tumors
• Hypogonadism
• Malnutrition
• Hyperthyroidism
• Liver cirrhosis

These medications can also trigger the formation of male breasts:

• Ulcer medications
• Antidepressants
• Anabolic steroids
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Antibiotics
• Heart medications
• Anti-androgens
• AIDS medications
• Cancer medications

Substances such as alcohol, marijuana, heroin, methadone, amphetamines, and estrogen-containing oils such as lavender oil and tea tree oil are common causes of gynecomastia.

Obesity is the most common aggravator of hormones and can easily trigger male breasts during adolescence or old age, as these are the peak times for volatile hormone activity in men.

What Does Male Breast Reduction Involve?

This procedure is an outpatient surgery that requires local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. The right choice for your surgery will be determined during your consultation.

Once the anesthesia has taken effect, Dr. Fontana will create incisions. Many types can be made, including the transaxillary incision (in the armpit), the periareolar incision (around the areola), and the Webster incision (at the base of the areola).

If the male breasts are composed of fatty tissue, a liposuction treatment is all that’s needed. This involves insertion of a cannula into an incision. Medical suction is then used to remove the excess fat.

If the male breasts are composed of glandular breast tissue, the skin is gently lifted and then a scalpel is used to excise glandular breast tissue and excess skin. The nipples might be repositioned and resized in order to better fit the new dimensions of the chest. Finally, the incisions are closed with sutures.

Recovery After Male Breast Reduction

Once male breast-reduction surgery is complete and you have returned home, you will need to rest and recover. This can take time. During this process, you will typically only need to stay home from work for around three days.

It will be important to avoid heavy exercise or sports for two to three weeks, since these can negatively affect the incisions and the healing process.

Bruising and swelling in the surgical area are common, but wearing a post-surgical elastic garment can help to reduce these issues. Once the swelling has fully ameliorated, you will be able to see the final results of the procedure.

The results are permanent, but maintaining optimal lifestyle, diet, and exercise habits will be necessary to prevent recurrence of the male breasts.

Contact Our Office for a Consultation

Is male breast reduction right for you? Find out today – contact the office of Dr. Don Fontana and schedule your informative consultation.