Do I have gynecomastia? I'm 16 (Photo)

Hello plucky 702708. Thank you for your question regarding whether you have gynecomastia.

Thank you for your history and your pictures. Yes, you do have gynecomastia. As you know, there are many gradations of gynecomastia, and your gynecomastia is a relatively mild case of male breast tissue. However, if your gynecomastia bothers you, you should have it treated.

Your gynecomastia can be best treated with VASER liposuction. During this procedure, an incision is placed underneath the nipple areolar complex. The gynecomastia fat is removed from under the nipple to get rid of your “puffy nipples”. If your “puffy nipples” bother you, I would suggest you get it fixed sooner rather than later. The procedure can be done under IV sedation or general anesthesia. The gynecomastia VASER liposuction procedure is done on an outpatient basis with a 5 to 7 day recovery. Plan on wearing your chest compression garment for at least 6 to 8 weeks.

Good luck. I hope I answered your question regarding whether you have gynecomastia and what to do about your “puffy nipples”.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

There are several common factors which contribute to gynecomastia. These include excessive levels of #estrogen, natural #hormone changes, use of recreational drugs or alcohol, medications and their associated side effects, and, various health conditions. Also, 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.

Thanks fro your question and photos.  You do not appear to have the characteristics of gynecomastia.  Your chest looks perfectly normal.  Best Regards.

I appreciate your concern, but physical exam would be helpful. However, your photo demonstrates possibly mild Gynecomastia which is usually treated by liposuction alone. Seek out a board certified plastic surgeon in your area, good luck!

Congratulations with your success to lose weight.  It does not look like you have gynecomastia. Best of luck.

It looks like you may have ,but only a visit to a specialist will confirm it . How should I choose a surgeon?Selecting a surgeon is as important a choice as the decision to undergo surgery. Choose carefully only a board certified PLASTIC SURGEON. The decision is yours. What follows is some advice to assist in making your selection.1. Experience matters. Choosing a surgeon who has performed over one thousand gynecomastia cases increases the likelihood that they have seen a case similar to yours in the past. Selecting a surgeon whose practice is focused on gynecomastia exclusively is also an indicator of experience.2. Results matter. The more before-and-after pictures a surgeon displays, the better. Pay attention not just to the number of pictures, but whether the surgeon is confident enough to show multiple angles of the same patient.3. Gynecomastia surgery Reviews matter. Have patients reviewed your surgeon? Did those patients undergo the surgery you are considering?4. Expertise matters. Is your surgeon recognized by the profession as an authority in the field? Are they certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery? Have they authored books or medical journal articles regarding your surgery?We hope these guidelines are of assistance when you are selecting your surgeon. When undergoing surgery, it is very important to be realistic about your expectations. Past results are not a guarantee of future results. Also, revision surgery tends to be significantly more difficult than initial surgery.

No, I do not believe you do.  You have a fine looking chest -- enjoy it!Elliot W. Jacobs, MD, FACSNew York City