I'm 17 years old and I've had true gynecomastia for 4-5 years. Is Surgery a Good Option?

Thank you for your question.While there is no “youngest
age” to undergo #gynecomastia surgery, many surgeons make sure that teenage
patients have had gynecomastia for at least two years and have no other
identifiable causes for their gynecomastia before having #surgery.  You may want to consult a #boardcertified #plasticsurgeon in person to see if surgery is your best option at this time.

Your body continues to develop through adolescence, and most boys find that their gynecomastia corrects itself of its own. If after losing weight their chest is still not aesthetically pleasing, surgery can then be considered once another medical condition has been ruled out.

Surgery is a good option to address your problem since it is very unlikely that it will resolve spontaneously at this point.  See a board certified plastic surgeon.  Good luck and be safe.John T.
Nguyen, MD, FACS, FICSDouble Board
Certified Plastic Surgeon

We generally recommend waiting until patients are at least
18 years of age before proceeding with the surgical
correction of gynecomastia. Never the less there are always exceptions to the
rule. Although you’re only 17, you’re probably an excellent candidate for this
type of procedure. Since your breast enlargement has been stable for five
years, it’s probably not going to regress without surgery at this point in
time. It’s also impacting your self-esteem and self-confidence and is adversely
affecting the quality of your life.

                  For
all these reasons treatment of gynecomastia is appropriate for you and consultation
with a board certified plastic surgeon would be appropriate. 

I firmly believe that treating the gynecomastia at an early age is best. It's not going to go away and will probably continue to be an issue for you. You should discuss this with your parents and go for a consultation. Remember, weight loss/gain, exercise, lifting, muscle building will not work. Don't get frustrated.