Male Breast Reduction Q&A
77%
WORTH IT RATING
"Worth It Rating" shows the % of consumer reviewers that stated the procedure was "Worth It" or not. See more RealSelf Worth It Ratings or Add Your Review
33 Reviews
Male Breast Reductionbefore & after photos
View Before and Afters

Average Male Breast Reduction Cost: $5,700

Learn about Male Breast Reduction

168 people and 271 doctors are talking about Male Breast Reduction

Get Free Email Updates

Is Gynecomastia Surgery Just Breast Liposuction?

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Sherwood Baxt, MD
Question viewed 4,439 times
Tags: technique

Is gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction) just a version of liposuction for male breasts?

40 answers to Is Gynecomastia Surgery Just Breast Liposuction?

+1

90% Gynecomastia surgery includes excision and liposucion

Body builders need only excision,but most other patients need both. 90% of the patient as I indicated ned a combination.The experience of the surgeon is of paramount importance.Look at the surgeons website for before and after pictures. I see video
Mordcai Blau, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.cosmetic-md.com

+1

Liposuction for male breast reduction

In some cases liposuction alone will reduce the male breast if it is caused by excess fat alone. The majority of men with gynecomastia have both breast tissue and fat. Breast tissue is too dense to be removed by liposuction and would need to be removed surgically. To get the best result, some men may need a secondary procedure to tighten and/or lift the skin. It is important to be evaluated by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in gynecomastia. Be sure to ask to see... more
Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

+2

Gyecomastia Treatment includes both excision of breast tissue as well as liposuction

Gynecomastia treatment or male breast reduction includes both liposuction of the chest, as well as excision of male breast gland, which is mostley located under the areola.
S. Sean Younai, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2

Gynecomastia surgery often improved by liposuction

Many others have already described this condition that is quite common and is very amenable to correction. A thorough examination and appropriate investigations are needed to look for medically reversible causes of male breast enlargement. In the absence of a medically treatable condition, gynecomastia surgery is the only effective treatment. In most instances it is very important to be near your ideal weight before considering male breast reduction. Enlargement of the male breast... more
Mathew C. Mosher, MD

Vancouver Plastic Surgeon

www.drmosher.com

+2

Liposuction is One Technique for Male Breast Reduction

Liposuction is one technique for Gynecomastia removal.  With use of ultrasound or laser to dissolve the breast tissue, liposuction can be very effective by itself. Sometimes, liposuction may be used in combination with cutting. Some cases of Male Breast Reduction may be done with cutting, alone. The determination of the best techniques is based upon your surgeon's judgment and experience. Think of liposuction as a technique or tool used in a procedure, not as an... more
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Gynecomastia with Liposuction or Vaser Liposelection

Gynecomastia may be treated surgically by direct excision (removal) of breast tissue, liposuction, and in some cases by removal of breast skin, when indicated. The majority of patients have at least some degree of glandular tissue proliferation immediately behind the nipple and areola, which is usually removed through an incision placed at the inferior border of the areola. The incision can be limited, in many cases, from about the 4 o'clock to the 8 o'clock position of the areola.... more
Michael Law, MD

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

+2

Gynecomastia can be treated with liposuction or open surgery

This is a good question, since many men have gynecomastia but do not know that there are surgical options. The treatment really depends on the severity of gynecomastia and the density of the tissue. In many cases, all that is needed is traditional liposuction. However, if the tissue is dense, then the addition of Smartlipo (laser) or ultrasound-assisted liposuction may help break up the tissues. Is some cases, however, it is necessary to actually cut out the tissue. Additionally, if... more
David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Scarless gynecomastia surgery

Looks like you have had enough answers on this question to keep you busy. If and when you do look into it, see if someone in your area offer the Scarless approach. Tiny incision inside the arm pit with no visible scars in the front of the chest. Liposuction is easily perfomed through this approach and if there is gland it is also removed from the same incision using a special instrument that liquifies the hard gland. Good luck with it.
Sherwood Baxt, MD

New Jersey Plastic Surgeon

www.cosmedical.com

+1

Liposuction for Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia (male breast growth) is an enlargement of normal glandular tissue and fat. Liposuction is very helpful in tapering the excess fat to create a more male appearance to the chest, but it is not particularly effective for the harder glandular tissue beneath the nipple and areola. Most of the time, liposuction is combined with incisions at the edge of the pigmented part of the areola in order to remove excess glandular tissue. When the male breast... more
Mary Lee Peters, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.maryleepetersmd.com

+1

Is Gynecomastia just another version of liposuction to the male chest?

Gynecomastia surgery can include liposuction, direct excision of breast tissue, and/or repositioning of the nipple. The technique used depends on each individual patient.
Robert Heck, MD

Columbus Plastic Surgeon
+1

Is Gynecomastia Surgery Just Breast Liposuction?

If there is an actual breast gland behind the nipple/areolar complex, the gland will have to be excised (cut out). Usually some liposuction is necessary as well to achieve a smooth contour unless you have virtually no fat on your chest. Sometimes in one who is over-weight, liposuction is the main part of the procedure.
E. Ronald Finger, MD

Savannah Plastic Surgeon
+1

Two parts to gynecomastia: fat and glandular tissue

True gynecomastia requires cutting out the breast or glandular tissue through a small incision. Most men also have some fatty tissue that causes enlargement of the breasts. Liposuction is used to treat this part.
Daniel Yamini, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Gynecomastia?

Thank you for the question. Gynecomastia comes from the Greek meaning "gyne" meaning woman and "mastos" meaning breasts. It refers to abnormal development of large mammary glands in males. The diagnosis can be made by physical examination where relatively firm tissue (breast gland tissue) can be differentiated from relatively soft tissue (adipose tissue). Breast prominence due to excessive adipose tissue is called pseudo-gynecomastia or... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Gynecomastia options

Hello, Removal of gynecomastia tissue can be performed by: 1) Excision 2) Liposcution 3) Both The link below is a before and after photo of one of my patients and shows what can be accomplished by excision alone. All the best, Dr Repta
Remus Repta, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

Gynecomastia could be just Breast Liposuction...

Gynecomastia is enlargement of the male breasts either because of excess fat cells or glandular tissue.  The surgery would depend on what the problem is.  The majority of patients do well with just liposuction of the fat cells, where as some need an excision of the tissue. The surgeon would let you know at the time of consult.
Shain A. Cuber, MD

Marlboro Plastic Surgeon

www.AssociatesinPlasticSurgery.com

+1

Difference between pseudo and true gynecomastia

Gynecomastia (fancy latin root for male breast) -- can be from either a) excess fat -- in which case it is called pseudo (or false) gynecomastia, or it can be b) excess breast gland -- which is related to hormonal imbalances (and exacerbated by obesity). If it is pseudo-gynecomastia, it can be treated with lipo.  If there is a significant true gynecomastia component, it may require direct excision through a 1" cut around the areola.  It is not always pefectly obvious... more
Navin K. Singh, MD

Washington DC Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction for the correction of gynecomastia

  Gynecomastia is typically corrected using two types of techniques. If the extra fat is centrally located and directly underneath the areola, this fat may be directly excised using a small incision at the base of the areola. However if the fat is also diffuse and located throughout the chest liposuction is the preferred treatment. As the male chest has thicker and more dense fat than other parts of the body, ultrasound liposuction works extremely well in this setting.... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Treatment for Gynecomstia / Male Breast Reduction

The surgical treatment for gynecomastia or male breast enlargement can involve a number of components. This includes liposuction alone or combined with either removal of glandular tissue under the breast and or the removal of excess skin.
Ankit Desai, MD

Jacksonville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Surgery for Gynecomastia

Surgical options to correct gynecomastia are not limited to liposuction. Options include direct excision, liposuction alone, or a combination of the two. To determine which option is right for you depends upon the severity of the gynecomastia as well as the condition of the chest skin. To know your options, contact a board certified Plastic Surgeon for a consultation.
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Gynecomastia surgery may involve more than just liposuction

Gynecomastia is the presence of noticeable breasts in a male. This breast tissue may be fatty, or pretty glandular or a combination of both. Firm, glandular breast tissue does not reduce well with standard liposuction and may require an open incision for improvement. If the breasts are large enough, it might be necessary to do some skin removal also, although this is less common. What is best for you is determined when you see a board certified plastic surgeon in consultation. There is no... more
Elizabeth Lee, MD

Bay Area Plastic Surgeon
+1

Gynecomastia surgery vs liposuction

For true gynecomastia a combination of liposuction and direct excision is needed. For excess fat "only" on the chest them liposuction alone will do fine. I use ultrasonic liposuction to loosen the tissue and dissect around the firmer breast tissue then remove the remaining firm tissue directly and finish with traditional liposuction to contour the chest for the best results. I can usually do this through a small incision in the armpit, occasionally a small incision below the... more
William Alan Dulin, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Gynecomastia usually needs a little more than just liposuction

When males have enlargement of breast tissue, there is almost always dense breast tissue in addition to fat. Liposuction only removes the fat, and is valuable for shaping the breast but there is almost always a bit of fibrous breast tissue that needs to be removed surgically. I typically can do this with a very discreet incision within the areola near the nipple. It is sometimes surprising how dense this tissue can be, especially in a young and thin patient. It's not going to come out... more
Douglas J. Mackenzie, MD

Santa Barbara Plastic Surgeon

www.pacificplasticsurgery.com

+1

Procedures for gynecomastia

For some men, liposuction of the make chest is all that is necessary. But there are variations to the theme. Some need liposuction and an "open" procedure to remove glandular tissue, and still others need a formal breast reduction with skin excision and a nipple-areola lift.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Gynecomastia surgery involves several things

To have the best results in excision of male breast tissue, you will need liposuction as well as direct excision of the male breast tissue. Most if not all of my patients need both! There is always some tissue under the nipple that needs to be removed. Go to a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who does many of these surgeries. Good luck.
Andrew T. Cohen, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Management of Gynecomastia

Thanks for the question. The management of gynecomastia, or enlarged breast tissue in males, generally involves a combination treatment of both a sub-areolar glandular tissue mound excision combined with liposuction of generalized adiposity of the breast. The causes of gynecomastia may include alcoholism, liver disease, obesity, medications, as well as adolescent gynecomastia. The danger of performing lipoplasty in the breast is the extremely low-likelihood that an underlying atypical... more
Glenn Vallecillos, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Liposuction in Gynecomastia

I almost always employ liposuction in a gyneco-mastectomy. However, it is rarely, if ever, the sole treatment. Usually in gynecomastia there is a button of glandular breast tissue below the areola. This needs to be excised (usually through an incision placed at the junction of the areola with skin). In my practice, a gynecomastectomy almost always consisits of excision and liposuction.
John Whitt, MD

Louisville Plastic Surgeon
+1

Gynecomastia surgery is NOT just breast liposuction.

Hi. If gynecomastia is treated only with liposuction, you will not have a flat chest. Gynecomastia consists both of fat and hard breast tissue. The breast tissue part CANNOT be removed with liposuction. So, male breast reduction has two parts. The fat is removed with liposuction. And the actual breast tissue is cut out through a tiny incision inside the nipple. The point is to end up with an absolutely flat chest.
George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

What is gynecomastia?

The common condition known as gynecomastia is characterized by enlarged breast tissue and affects an astonishing 40 to 60% of men. Fortunately, the condition is easily reversed with liposuction just by making a small incision under the nipple.
Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

What's involved in treating male breast enlargement?

Treatment of male breast enlargement is individualized to the patient needs. Some patients require underlying tissue removal (which liposuction works well for) while others require skin excision as well (perhaps in some weight loss patients) For larger patients with significant excess skin t here is a trade off of scars for shape.
Jeffrey Kenkel, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Gynecomastia Usually is Combination of Liposuction and Excision of Tissue

Gynecomastia is the abnormal production of breast tissue in males. It is usually seen in combination with additional fat in the breast and surrounding regions. Liposuction is a great asset in treating this condition. It helps feather the edges and treat the extra fat usually found in the axilla (lateral chest/armpit). But, I have seen in most cases that despite the technique of liposuction used (standard suction assisted liposuction or ultrasonic liposuction), the thick and dense breast... more
Kent V. Hasen, MD

Naples Plastic Surgeon
+1

Treatment of Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia (hypertrophied breast tissue on a male) generally requires some type of excisional surgery for treatment. For men who have lipodystrophy of the chest (too much fat in the chest area), liposuction does work. However treatment of gynecomastia (male breasts) usually involves a combination of liposuction of the chest and excision or surgical removal of breast tissue. This is typically performed through a small incision at the lower edge of the areola. There are some cases of more... more
William J. Hedden, MD

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

www.heddenmd.com

+1

Gynecomastia Surgery

Gynecomastia is a multifactorial problem which when transient is seen in the vast majority of men. It becomes an issue when it does not go away and begins to psychologically impact the lives of those men. Since the EXTENT of Gynecomastia varies significantly, the treatments of gynecomastia would depend on the extent of the gynecomastia deformities such as the size of your breasts and their content (fat, glandular breast tissue), the ratio of breast fat to breast skin envelope and the amount... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Surgery for Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is enlargement of the breast tissue in males. In the adult male it can be caused by several things such as obesity, alcoholism, certain medication, unresolved adolescent gynecomastia and others. Correction involves creating a smooth chest contour. So I liposuction the chest thoroughly then make an incision on the skin/areolar junction from the 3:00-9:00 positions and remove the residual breast tissue. A small amount, approximately 1cm, is left on the areola to prevent a... more
Christopher L. Hess, MD

Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

www.hessplasticsurgery.com

+1

Gynecomastia excision vs. Chest liposuction

The treatment for gynecomastia really depends on the diagnosis and the extent to which it affects the patient. True gynecomastia (hypertrophied breast tissue on a male) generally requires some type of excisional surgery for treatment. For men who have lipodystrophy of the chest (too much fat on their chest), liposuction works well. The problem is that there is a spectrum of what we are calling gynecomastia. Some patients have fatty chests with a little bit of glandular tissue, others are... more
Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Treatment of gynecomastia

The treatment of gynecomastia (male breasts) usually involves a combination of liposuction of the chest and direct excision or surgical removal of breast tissue. This is typically performed through a small incision at the lower edge of the areola. Some patients who have more severe forms of gynecomastia present with excess skin which requires more complex incisions to remove not only breast tissue but also the skin itself. Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon prior to... more
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Gynecomastia surgery

There are various techniques for treating male breast enlargemtent or gynecomastia. The choice depends on a proper assessment of what is the predominant problem - extra breast tissue or fat or both.  There are liposuction options and open surgical excision options.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Treatment of gynecomastia: excision plus liposuction

This really depends on the extent of the problem. Gynecomastia can be a combination of excess breast tissue, fat and/or skin. If it is due to fat primarily, liposuction can be an excellent method of treating the problem. However, in the vast majority of instances it is typically treated by both breast AND fat removal. This can be accomplished with the use of ultrasonic assisted lipoplasty. In my opinion the best results require excision of a protion of the gland in addition to liposuction... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Gynecomastia surgery

Gynecomastia, elarged breast in males, results from an increased volume of glandular (breast) tissue and/or fat (adipose) tissue. Most commonly both glandular and fatty components are present in excess amounts. Sucessful treatment requires identification and treatment of the type of tissue excess present.
Jay M. Pensler, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.plasticsurg.org

+1

Gynecomastia and Liposuction

Gynecomastia is characterized by excessive growth of the breast parenchyma in males. The manifestations of gynecomastia include increased breast volume, skin redundancy, and nipple ptosis. In cases of breast volume enlargement without skin redundancy and nipple ptosis, liposuction is the optimal treatment. In cases of skin redundancy or ptosis, surgical excision and repositioning of the nipple is warranted. This latter procedure is more complicated and should be performed by a board... more
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Gynecomastia surgery may involve liposuction and/or excision

Gynecomastia surgery may involve liposuction and/or excision. Many patients who present with concerns of gynecomastia or enlarged male breasts benefit from some form of liposuction. I prefer power assisted liposuction, but ultrasonic liposuction is another good option. Some patients, however, have some very firm, glandular tissue that will require excision with an incision made on the underside of the areola.
Sanjay Grover MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question