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Atlanta male breast reduction

Gynecomastia vs. Pseudogynecomastia

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In recent years, I have seen a trend of more and more men seeking plastic surgery. After all, men enjoy the same confidence women do when they are happier with their appearance. One of the most common aesthetic concerns that brings men to my Atlanta plastic surgery practice is overdeveloped breasts. In medical terms, this condition is known as gynecomastia—which is probably the first thing any man would find if he took his questions to Google. But what few men actually realize is that while they may think they have gynecomastia based on their symptoms, there is another possibility—they may have pseudogynecomastia instead.

Gynecomastia vs. PseudogynecomastiaThe Difference between Gynecomastia and Pseudogynecomastia

“Pseudo” essentially means “fake”—so pseudogynecomastia refers to a condition which looks like gynecomastia but actually isn’t. The difference lies in what type of excess tissue you actually have in the chest area. True gynecomastia occurs when glandular breast tissue (the same type that makes up female breasts) is overdeveloped. This is caused by an imbalance between the hormones estrogen (the “female” hormone) and testosterone (the “male” hormone). Every man produces a little bit of estrogen, but if the hormonal balance changes, because of either too much estrogen or too little testosterone, breast tissue may increase. Pseudogynecomastia, on the other hand, is when another type of tissue causes the appearance of enlarged breasts. Usually, the culprit is excess fat.

Treatments for Gynecomastia and Pseudogynecomastia

Discovering what type of condition is causing your breast enlargement will have an impact on how your condition is treated. Gynecomastia most often arises at hormone-heavy times in a man’s life, like puberty and the elder years. In some cases, the symptoms will resolve on their own, but if they do not, a plastic surgery known as male breast reduction can provide successful and predictable results. The procedure will vary from one patient to another, depending on how much tissue needs to be removed, whether there is excess skin and/or fat that needs to be reduced as well, and whether the areola must be improved.

While pseudogynecomastia may be able to be addressed with natural weight loss, the condition can develop in men who have a healthy weight as well, because some men are simply predisposed to storing fat in their chest area. If you don’t need to lose weight but do have excess fat in the chest, liposuction can be an ideal way to target the stubborn fat and provide you with more sculpted, masculine contours.

When you’re considering treatment for your breast enlargement, however, keep in mind that your results will only be long-lasting if you can keep your condition from developing again in the future. Although some men with male breasts may not have any ongoing development, gynecomastia can be caused or worsened by anabolic steroids, certain street drugs, excessive alcohol use, and some specific medications. Both gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia can also be affected by obesity. So before you begin any type of treatment regimen, be sure to stop any controllable risk factors for future breast development.

Male breast enlargement is a significant issue not only because it is incredibly common but also because it can have a strong effect on a man’s self-confidence, regardless of whether it is caused by true gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia. To start discussing how I can help you once again feel confident in anything you’re wearing, schedule a plastic surgery consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for more helpful cosmetic surgery information about male breast reduction and other procedures, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Ask Dr. Elliott: Why Do Some Men Develop Breasts, and What Can I Do About It?

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Most of us have something about our appearance that makes us self-conscious, but one aesthetic issue that can be particularly embarrassing is when a man develops excess breast tissue, which can take on the appearance of female breasts. This is a condition called gynecomastia, and it’s more common than many realize. In fact, it’s among the most common reasons men seek plastic surgery in the US. But how and why does gynecomastia occur, and what can you do if it happens to you?

Ask Dr. Elliott Why Do Some Men Develop Breasts, and What Can I Do About ItMale breast development can have a number of different causes. In some cases, the extra tissue is primarily excess fat due to weight gain (this is known as pseudogynecomastia). But for other men, the growth is actually caused by breast tissue. In addition to weight gain or weight fluctuations, there are a wide number of potential causes for gynecomastia, including hormonal changes or imbalances, the use of certain medications or drugs (including anabolic steroids as well as medicines for various health conditions), and even heredity. Patients don’t necessarily need to know the cause of their gynecomastia in order for male breast reduction to be successful, but those whose breasts have stopped growing before treatment (and who take actions to avoid breast growth after treatment, like maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding certain drugs) will see the most lasting results.

For most men (unless their condition is caused by an underlying health problem), the only effective way to address persistent gynecomastia is with a cosmetic surgery called male breast reduction. The procedure varies from one patient to the next depending on their specific needs and condition, but it typically involves removing the excess breast tissue and fat (combining liposuction with excision techniques) to give the chest a more sculpted and masculine contour. Depending on the skin’s elasticity and the severity of the gynecomastia, some breast skin may be removed to restore a more athletic firmness, and the nipple may be repositioned for a more natural-looking result, but we prefer to avoid this if at all possible due to increased scarring. In fact, nearly all gynecomastia cases do not require these extra scars.

While gynecomastia can take several different forms and come from a variety of potential causes, one fact remains: as long as the breasts have stopped growing, male breast reduction has a high success rate and is likely to be the solution for a more desirable contour. To discuss whether you may be a candidate for gynecomastia surgery, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for more of the latest plastic surgery news and helpful information, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Common Questions about Male Breast Reduction

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Most discussions about cosmetic breast surgery are centered around women. However, women aren’t the only patients who want a chest they can feel comfortable with. When men develop excess tissue in the breast area, it can cause embarrassment and self-consciousness which holds them back on a daily basis. For these patients, male breast reduction may be the solution to getting their confidence back. To help men have a better understanding of the procedure, I’ve broken down some of the most commonly asked questions about male breast reduction.

male breast reduction atlanta georgiaWhat is gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is the clinical term for male breast enlargement. The condition can be caused by a number of factors, including hormonal changes, weight fluctuations, heredity, or certain medications or illegal drugs. For some men, gynecomastia simply involves the development of excess fat tissue in the breast area, while others also experience an increase in glandular breast tissue and/or breast skin. In many cases, the most effective way to treat gynecomastia and improve the appearance of a man’s chest is through plastic surgery.

What is involved in a male breast reduction procedure?

The details of each patient’s surgery vary based on the nature of his gynecomastia. If the breasts only require fat removal, liposuction alone may be the best choice. However, for most men, the procedure requires the removal of excess breast tissue and/or skin. This is especially true for men whose skin has begun to lose elasticity with age, because the skin will likely not be able to regain its firmness after liposuction removes the fat that once supported it.

What can I expect during my recovery from male breast reduction?

The most important way to help your body heal properly is to follow all post-surgical instructions and to keep up with your follow-up appointments. Most men are able to return to work within a week after their procedure, although this depends on how extensive your surgery was and how much physical activity is involved in your job. We typically advise patients to avoid exercising for two to three weeks after surgery.

What scarring will I have after male breast reduction?

Because I design each patient’s procedure based on their individual needs, incisions and scars will vary from patient to patient. If only liposuction is used, you’ll have tiny scars around the breast area, and if skin and/or glandular tissue needs to be removed, you will likely have a horizontal scar which is either in line with your nipple or across the bottom of your pectoral area. In extreme cases which require areola reduction, you will also have a scar around your areola where some pigmented tissue is removed. Regardless, I place every incision as discretely as possible to minimize the appearance of future scars.

Are male breast reduction results permanent?

For patients who maintain a healthy lifestyle after their surgery, yes, the results of male breast reduction are expected to be permanent. However, if a patient resumes or takes up a habit which contributes to gynecomastia (such as weight gain or using specified medications and drugs), he can develop new breast tissue or excess fat which may recreate the appearance of enlarged breasts. To maintain your results long-term, be sure to follow post-surgical instructions about how to avoid breast redevelopment.

While male breast reduction is not the most talked-about plastic surgery, the value it holds for men with gynecomastia shouldn’t be underestimated. If you think male breast reduction may help you restore your confidence, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for more helpful information about plastic surgery, join me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

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