My son aged 11 has grown breasts. Is it necessary for him to undergo a breast surgery to reduce breasts? (Photo)

Thanks for the question. Boys or girls below the age of 18 should abstain from having plastic surgery. I wish you all the best.

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.

Particularly, Normal Gynecomastia is usually apparent in males between the ages of 12 to 15 years old. It is also common for older men 65 years old or more who experience a drop in their testosterone levels. #Normal Gynecomastia takes approximately one to two years to naturally regress on its own.

Adolescent Gynecomastia is hereditary and usually appears in 30% to 60% of boys between the ages of nine to fourteen. Many cases of adolescent gynecomastia resolve on its own as the boy grows into adulthood. Some with #Adolescent may choose to undergo surgery to correct the situation, this usually happens at the age of 18 or above. In severe cases in young boys, the physician and child development specialists will need to speak to the parents regarding the severity of the gynecomastia and if surgery is an option before the age of 18.

Adolescent gynecomastia is very common and is caused by hormonal changes. In most cases it will resolve on its own usually within a few months to 2 years. However, if it lasts more than 2 years, it may be permanent with surgery being the only option. This is an extremely difficult condition for boys to deal with and can cause a lot of humiliation and even depression. If you find your son is suffering, I suggest that you have him evaluated by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon that specializes in gynecomastia. In some cases it is appropriate for an adolescent to have male breast reduction surgery, however if he hasn't finished developing, it is possible he may need surgery again in the future. Good luck!