For male breast non-surgical reduction what works best? CoolSculpting or Vanquish or other? (Photos)

Question

I’m a male in my late 30s, have always had larger breast since childhood. In my 20s when I was around 190 pounds but gained weight to 250 but recently lost 40 pounds and still losing. My chest has shrunk 5 inches! Yet, I’d like them reduced more BUT don’t wanna do lipo or surgery. I’ve looked at Coolsculpting, but was warned that it get lumpy if there is some breast tissue. So now looking at Vanquish but another person said it won’t work on breast. What’s best option for me?!

Michael Kerin, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.  And thank you for posting pictures.  CS is a great way to reduced male breast fat.  However, based on your pictures, I think you will be unhappy with your results due to the amount of excess skin that I see.  Reducing the fat will leave you with an empty envelope of skin, so you will trade one problem for another.  
Get an in-person evaluation from a surgeon who offers both CoolSculpting and surgical options.
Best of luck.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

I have successfully used CoolSculpting to treat male breasts and find it works well for most men.  It is the only non-surgical treatment that I have used for that area, so I cannot comment on other non-surgical methods.

Scott Hernberg, DO · Answer

Great question Alex. I use Coolsculpting and Vanquish devices in my office and have found each device offers benefits and has limitations. Neither device is FDA approved to treat breast tissue in men or women. The use in this area is considered "off label." This does not mean either device can cause harm, just that the manufacturer of the devices have not performed studies establishing the safety and effectiveness of these devices on breast tissue. I have used Coolsculpting to successfully reduce fat volume in men with excess breast volume. Often, two to three cycles per breast are needed to get the best results. Coolsculpting will not help much if skin laxity is prominent. Also, fat that is dense, as is often the case with male breast fat, does not respond well to Coolsculpting. Vanquish is also an effective tool but it is tool difficult to place it on the chest for it to work. From your pictures, it seems like you have skin laxity issues from your recent weight loss (good job!) and may not see much reduction after Coolsculpting. My best suggestion is to consider surgical options to get the results you desire. Healthy regards.

Tianna Tsitsis, MD · Answer

I have used CoolSculpting on male breasts and have had nice results from it.  I don't believe Vanquish has an "applicator" that is appropriate for this location.  There really are limited options for non invasive fat loss, with CoolSculpting being the most tried, true and FDA cleared.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

I recommend Coolsculpting for this area. We have had amazing results for men in this area with no discomfort or down time. This is an advanced technique to please consult an expert in Coolsculpting.  Best, Dr. Green

For male breast non-surgical reduction what works best? CoolSculpting or Vanquish or other? (Photos)

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For male breast non-surgical reduction what works best? CoolSculpting or Vanquish or other? (Photos)

Answers (5)

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