Is the gyno surgery worth it at 19 years old?

Question

I have had gyno since I was like 14 and I read that it usually goes away in 6-12 months but I don't think it's going away. Should I get the gyno surgery now or should I wait until I'm like 21 to see if it goes away on it's own? And if I do get it now, will it come back?

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @Generous624851 thank you for your question. males breast growth is associated with several factors, including genetic factors. You can try to improve the proportion of body fat to reduce it a bit. I suggest you think about having a personalized consultation in which all aspects are taken into account to decide if this is the right age. For more information and recommendations it is best to consult with one or several board certified plastic surgeons. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS.

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

The earlier the better. I do not think that gynecomastia goes away after it has been there for two years. There is no reason to have the false hope that it will somehow resolve on its own with diet, exercise, medicine or prayer. If it does not bother you then there is no reason to get it fixed. On the other hand if it is always a source of concern than the earlier you get it corrected the sooner you can move on.

James Lee, MD · Answer

Thank you for submitting your question. Gynecomastia is when there is gland development in the male chest. If you feel your chest area and can appreciate a firm rubbery mobile mass then this is glandular tissue. This can hide the natural pec contour and give a inverted V like appearance to the chest and puffy aereolas. Patients with gynecomastia also feel self-conscious in certain clothing as the gynecomastia can be apparent through clothing such as thin dress shirts and white tee shirts. The vast majority of cases of gynecomastia are physiologic, meaning that it occurs as a normal part of development during puberty. The gland that has developed will not go away on its own but fortunately, surgery can be a permanent solution to get rid of the gland. As long as you do not take any medications associated with the development of gynecomastia, your gland should not come back. Hope this helps.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Generous624851,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Nancy de Kleer, MD, FRCSC (Plast) · Answer

It is worthwhile to go in for a consult and see if you are a candidate for surgery.  If it has not changed since age 14 it is unlikely to now.
All the best to you.

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD · Answer

It's unlikely weight loss and working out will reduce your gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is often an inherited condition that can not be improved without surgery. Fortunately, the condition is often easily reversed with liposuction just by making a small incision under the nipple reducing the size of the breast using virtually a scarless technique. Liposuction with ultrasound and fine laser beams liquefy the fat and glandular tissue recontouring the breast around the areola and from the sides and bottom of the breasts. Because liposuction stimulates the skin to tighten, a smooth contour after fat is removed is possible. Seek examination from a board certified plastic surgeon familiar with these improved approaches to discuss the best options for you.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

There is no right or wrong answer for when is a correct time to get cosmetic surgery. It does seem a little harsh to call gynecomastia surgery cosmetic but insurance doesn’t cover it so that’s the category that is lumped into.

The best way to know when the time is right to have surgery is when the condition bothers the patient enough to be motivated to have the procedure.

In 19 years of age unless you’re significantly overweight your condition is probably not going to improve by waiting longer.

If you’re carrying a few extra pounds then dropping weight can definitely help. Without pictures we can’t make an assessment sell the degree of gynecomastia is up to you to determine for now.

The best approach is typically a combination of liposuction with direct excision of glandular tissue.

If done correctly and there are no activating agents like taking steroids including over-the-counter supplements you should not have recurrent gynecomastia. there are over-the-counter supplements that will induce gynecomastia so everyone should be careful when considering anything for muscle enhancement.

Choosing the right plastic surgeon is probably the most important decision in getting a quality outcome as well as steering you through the process including making the decision to have the procedure or not.

I recommend all patients be highly selective and vet plastic surgeons carefully before committing to having surgery.

This typically means having multiple in person consultations.

During the consultation I recommend asking each provider to show their entire collection up before and after pictures.

Sing preselected sample pictures is insufficient to have a clear understanding of what average results look like in the hands of each provider.

For that reason I think each patient should ask each provider to show as many pictures as they’re willing to display. Ask specifically to see as many pictures as possible other patients who have similar body characteristics to your own. Ask the provider to show examples of excellent outcomes, average outcomes and less than outcomes.

Ask them what the revision rate and to see pictures of patients who’ve had previous revisions.

Ask them if they’ve had patients who have been over resected and what those results look like.

It may seem a little out of place to be demanding in regards to seeing each plastic surgeons portfolio but without seeing a substantial number of pictures patients are not properly informed in regards to what results look like consistently.

An experienced provider should have no difficulty showing you 50 or more sets of quality before and after pictures.

Providers who talked the talk and walk the walk will have the portfolio to demonstrated.

I also recommend reading all reviews on all major physician review websites and avoiding providers for any significant number of negative justified reviews.

The absence of justified negative reviews is more important and more telling than having an abundance of positive reviews.

Do not commit to having surgery, make a down payment or pick a surgery date on the day of consultation.

Always finish all scheduled consultations before committing to have surgery.

When in doubt give yourself time to think about the decision and who should do your procedure.

Results vary significantly among providers based on skill and experience.

Minimize the chance of having an undesirable outcome by carefully finding the most talented and experienced provider.

Good luck in your decision making.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

J. Michael Morrissey, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

Thank you for your question. Your question is a very common one. The answer depends upon how you feel the gynecomastia is affecting you. Once gynecomastia sets in, it tends not to go away on its own or with exercise. THere is no medication that reduces gynecomastia. Surgery is directed at the fatty and glandular components of gynecomastia. Both must be addressed to completely treat the condition. Fat, once removed, will not regrow. Fat grows when you add calories, and shrinks when you deprive it of calories. It does not multiply. Gland removal is really gland reduction as it is impossible to remove every breast gland cell. Any remaining glandular tissue may respond to hormones, natural or man made (anabolic steroids). Consult with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area who is experienced in treating the condition and get all your questions answered. 
Best regards, Dr. Morrissey

David E. Berman, MD (retired) · Answer

the only person that can answer this properly is you. If it does not bother you very much, then you don't have to do anything about it ever!!! you did not attach pictures or say anything about your height and weight. Also did you just turn 19 or are you almost 20? 
i have definitely treated men that are 19 to early 20's and sometimes younger and often older. It all depends on how much it bothers them and is interfering with their ability to enjoy life, the beach and the pool. Many men are so self-conscious that they will not take off their shirts.  - This is definitely interfering with their enjoying life and they will likely benefit from surgery.

david berman md, frcsc

Is the gyno surgery worth it at 19 years old?

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