Liposuction Without Excising Glandular Tissue for Gynecomastia?

It's difficult to answer without photos or a one-on-one consultation. The male breast is composed of glandular tissue and fatty tissue. An excess in either type of tissue can cause the chest to take on the look of gynecomastia. Gynecomastia can affect #men of all different body types. There are different types of #gynecomastia.According to official statistics, 36% of adult young men and 57% of older #adult men in the United States have this medical condition in one of the four grades. About 200,000 to 3 million cases of #gynecomastia are being reported every single year. So if you have #breast #enlargement and you feel you're an exception, please understand that 1 in 3 young adult #men and 1 in 2 older adult men are just like you and have breast #enlargement.Several common factors can cause gynecomastia including excessive levels of #estrogen, natural #hormone changes, use of recreational drugs or alcohol, medications and their associated side effects, and, various health conditions. Also, there are different types of #gynecomastia.There are three types of surgical #treatment #options available that treat gynecomastia. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will recommend the type best suited for you. The most important decision to be made before performing any surgical procedure is determining whether you are an ideal #candidate.

It all depends. If the unwanted tissue is firm (often seen with anabolic steroid use) then liposuction does not go a good job at removing it and a direct surgical removal is required. On the other hand if it has the consistency of fat it can be removed easily with liposuction.Most important is going to a board certified Plastic Surgeon for an exam and the best way to take care of your concerns.

Pictures would be very helpful.  The answer is sometimes yes, but maybe not. In most patients with gynecomastia there are both glandular and fat components. Dense, firm glandular tissue does not respond well to liposuction alone, whereas fat can be treated nicely with liposuction. If the glandular component is fairly small and the fatty component is larger, liposuction alone can make a worthwhile impact in selected cases. In most patients, both components need to be addressed. Typically this means partial resection of the glandular component combined with liposuction for the fatty component.  You should consult in person with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon.

Liposuction will remove the excess fatty tissue, but it excision is required if you have glandular tissue for a better result. 

Liposuction is a great option for addressing mild to moderate gynecomastia.  It does not address any loose or sagging skin of the breast though.  See a board certified plastic surgeon for more details.  Good luck and be safe.John T.
Nguyen, MD, FACS, FICSDouble Board
Certified Plastic Surgeon

If you have excess fat, then you can have liposuction performed to treat your gynecomastia. However, if you have excess skin and/or glandular tissue, then excision would be better.However, a physical examination by an experienced plastic surgeon can determine if this technique will help achieve the results you want.

In the presence of glandular breast tissue liposuction would
predictably give an inferior result. Even though you’re
interested in a less aggressive procedure, it might not be in your best
interest to undergo liposuction. This procedure would probably compromise your
result and lead to dissatisfaction.

                  When
gynecomastia is caused by growth of glandular breast tissue surgical excision
is usually necessary to correct the problem. In contrast, when breast growth
occurs because of fat deposition, liposuction is the treatment of choice.

                  Glandular
tissue tends to be thicker and more fibrous than fatty tissue. When breast
tissue is present it can be very difficult to pass a liposuction canula through
the tissue. For this reason, liposuction is rarely effective when glandular
tissue is present.

                  Glandular
tissue usually requires surgical excision. This can be performed through a
peri-areolar incision with minimal scarring. Consultation with a board
certified plastic surgeon should help determine what specific option is best
for you. 

If you have only fat contributing to the formation of the male breast, then yes liposuction alone will be effective. This condition is referred to "pseudo-gynecomastia". However, very few men have this, in most cases it is a combination of fat and breast tissue. Some breast tissue should remain for the best contour but if no breast tissue is removed for true gynecomastia you will be very unhappy with the result. By removing fat alone the breast my appear even more prominent. At least 30% of my gynecomastia cases are redo surgeries from surgeons who have only removed fat. Good luck.

This depends on the extent of the subcutaneous fatty deposits in your breasts relative to the glandular tissue. IF the bulk of the fullness is due to fat, then you may experience a dramatic improvement with liposuciton alone. Alternatively, laser lipolysis or ultrasound assisted lipoplasty may provide additional benefits for particularly fibrous fat.
Occasionally small amounts of glandular tissue can be removed without excisions after agressive ultrasonic assisance and is known as the "pull -through" technique

Hi gynohelp,Thank you for the post. It would have been helpful if you provided a photograph. That being said, If there is glandular excess that is causing a protrusion then it needs to be addressed with excision. In my experience, liposuction is not an accurate or effective method to treat the gland. It is understandable to be concerned with the incision. However, these incisions tend to heal extremely well. Sincerely,Dr. Dadvand