Ask a doctor

I'm 20 yrs old. Do I have gynecomastia or puffy nipple? How bad it is? (photos)

i am 20 yrs old.i used to be fat. I lost weight. Then i notice my nipple is puffy and not normal like others. I want to get rid of it. Can i reduce it doing exercise? As i cant afford the cost of surgery.

Doctor Answers 7

Gynecomastia?

July 24th, 2014
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Hello and thank you for your question.
Your pictures are not really sufficient to give you online advice. I recommend that you see a board certified plastic surgeon in consultation to get more specific answers to your questions which can best be addressed after a thorough history and examination is performed.
Best of Luck to you!

David Cangello, MD


New York Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 8 reviews

Gynecomastia or puffy nipples

July 23rd, 2014
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
The problem you are describing is not uncommon.  Is it a sever case of gynecomastia? No. But, it can be corrected surgically if you are bothered by this condition  Take your time researching your plastic surgeon and look at many photos. 

Web reference: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.michaellawmd.com%2Fgallery%2Fg

Michael Law, MD

Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 112 reviews

Gynecomastia or Puffy Nipple?

July 22nd, 2014
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Mild protrusion over the nipples is the original problem, call it gynecomastia or puffy nipple but unfortunately there is no non-surgical option to get rid of  this issue. In this type of cases, the fibro-glandular tissue is accumulated mostly beneath the nipple and this has to be removed through a direct incision because exercise/diet cannot remove them. Find a board certified plastic surgeon to have a consultation with before making a decision.
R. K. Mishra, M.Ch, DNB

R. K. Mishra, M.Ch, DNB
India Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 3 reviews

I'm 20 yrs old. Do I have gynecomastia or puffy nipple? How bad it is?

July 21st, 2014
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Congratulations on your weight loss.  Keep up the hard work.  To answer your question, you have mild gynecomastia.  This can be corrected through outpatient surgery.  The fat content of your chest will decrease with additional weight loss and may decrease the severity, but will likely not totally resolve the issue.  Best of luck.  

Jason Mussman, MD

Jason Mussman, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 3 reviews

Puffy nipples

July 21st, 2014
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Technically you do have mild gynecomastia.  I hear the term "puffy nipples" more and more these day, probably related to people researching and discussing this problem on the internet.  It is often associated with mild or moderately enlarged areole diameter.  The the breast tissue is often "herniated" through a somewhat weak or attenuated areola.  Treatment is surgical and unfortunately diet and exercise will do very little to change the problem itself.  Congratulations on your weight loss.
Mary Gingrass, MD

Mary Gingrass, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 38 reviews

Gynecomastia - Is This The Same Thing As Puffy Nipples?

July 20th, 2014
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Yes, you do have gynecomastia.  Puffy nipples is a minor form of gynecomastia (by the way, gynecomastia means breasts on a male). 

Puffy nipples usually indicate breast tissue directly under the nipple areolar complex.  The fat on your chest not directly related to the puffy nipples is known as psuedo gynecomastia, while that area directly under the nipple is referred to as true gynecomastia.  No form of exercise will decrease the puffy nipples and, in fact, if you lose more weight, then the puffiness underneath the nipples will even be more obvious.

I emphasize with you however I would caution you to not waste any money on lotions and potions that claim to get rid of gynecomastia.  Surgery, unfortunately, is the only answer.


Web reference: http://youtu.be/uqPyUvibEVM

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS

Gynecomastia yes or no

July 18th, 2014
{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Looking at your photo you do have gynecomastia,but it is not sever.Diet and exercise may help,but can not resolve the problem.

Web reference: http://www.gynecomastia-md.com

Mordcai Blau, MD

Mordcai Blau, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
4.7 out of 5 stars 51 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.