I am 29 years old. 5'5" and 140 pounds. Skinny fat with pot belly. Do I have gynecomastia? (photo)

Question

I have always been skinny fat with little muscle and a belly that protrudes. When I was 10 pounds lighter, my chest area wasn't as pointy as now, just slightly. Will my chest flatten if I reduce my body fat percentage or will this need surgery?

Paul M. Steinwald, MD · Answer

A little tricky to answer here (without an exam), but you may have answered for us, in that you know your own body better than anyone, and if you saw improvements with your chest at minus-ten pounds, you should respond once again to diet/exercise.  If there is a "rubbery" mass effect, however, and/or you noticed disproportionate chest fullness in your teens (or are on new meds or have had a hormonal imbalance diagnosed), this indeed could be an element of (newer-onset?) gynecomastia, in which case surgery may be beneficial.

Tim Neavin, MD · Answer

You appear to have mild gynecomastia based on the photos.  Weight loss rarely changes breast tissue volume significantly but it's certainly worth a shot.  The good news is that this is easily correctable with surgery.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Healthy male patients with excess breast tissue or unwanted breast development who have no underlying breast disease.Men who desire improved physical and aesthetic appearance should have realistic expectations based on their condition and the procedure performed. You should meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to be able to get a formal diagnosis and to be able to decide on a course of treatment if necessary.
#gynecomastia #malebreastreduction

N. Bill Aydin, MD · Answer

Hi, Thank you for your post. It is likely that once you lose weight your chest will also become flatter. I would try to get down to the weight that you want to be at and make an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon to review your best options.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear marco.esposito,it is likely that your chests will flatten again once you lose weight but to be sure an examination is required. If you are suffering from a gynecomastia then you might need a surgery. In case you are concerned, you can always consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Daniel Brown, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi and thanks for your questions and photos.  After reviewing your photos, it does seem that you have the typical appearance of gynecomastia (fullness in lower chest, widened areola, projecting nipple), but it is impossible to definitively determine without an exam.  Weight gain can certainly contribute to worsening of gynecomastia, but if you had "pointy" nipples prior to your recent weight gain, it is likely that you had/have true gynecomastia.
My best advice would be to schedule a consultation with an ABPS board certified plastic surgeon who is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Society of Aesthetic Surgeon Plastic Surgeons demonstrating their commitment to excellence in treatment of cosmetic issues.   Find a surgeon that you like and that you are on the same page with as far as their plan and your expectations.  Make sure that you see multiple before and after photos of gynecomastia correction results that you like so that you have a very good idea of what result you would like to achieve.  This way you can develop that treatment plan with your surgeon.
Best wishes!
Dr Brown

Robert Caridi, MD · Answer

Indeed you have gynecomastia. It is the appearance of a female like breast in a male and that is what your chest looks like. It is treatable with a procedure to remove the tissue and contour the chest. Weight changes, diet, exercise and pills will not change this.

Frederic H. Corbin, MD (license restricted) · Answer

Thank you for the photos but an examination is really needed.  That said if you feel tissue under your areola or they are painful or tender at times it may be true gynecomastia.Dr. Corbin

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

Thank you for your question and photos. It does appear that you have gynecomastia which is typified by fullness of the breasts, widened or  "puffy" areolae with or without a firm area behind the nipple. At your weight, further weight loss is not likely to cause improvement.  Consult with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in your area (in LA there may be a few!).  At our center, we treat gyneceomastia such as yours with a small incision off the chest which allows us to address the fatty and glandular aspects of the gynecomastia. Traditional approaches which make a half circle incision on the lower half of the areola often lead to distortion of the areola and an "operated on " look. Search for an experienced surgeon in  your area and don't be afraid to ask questions. Best wishes, Dr. Morrissey

I am 29 years old. 5'5" and 140 pounds. Skinny fat with pot belly. Do I have gynecomastia? (photo)

Answers (9)

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