Male breast enlargement or gynecomastia is a common problem for men that can lead to social embarassment and self-consciousness. There are a number of causes, including hormonal imbalance and weight gain. This problem often first occurs in the adolescent years during the rapid hormone changes that are associated with puberty. Gynecomastia also occurs in adult years with weight gain. There can be less frequent reasons for male breast enlargement including hormone-producing tumors, anabolic steroid use, and side-effects from certain medications.

When gynecomastia occurs in puberty, especially when severe, an evaluation is done by an endocrinologist. If no treatable cause is found, and the breast growth has been stable for two or more years, plastic surgery can be done. In an adult, if male breast growth occurs in a slow fashion related to weight gain, no extensive diagnostic tests are typically necessary other than a physical exam. If the breast increase is rapid or primarily one sided, additional evaluation may need to be done.

Plastic surgery to correct gynecomastia usually involves a combination of liposuction and direct excision of the usually fibrous breast tissue. The incision is made in the lower half of the areola or pigmented area surrounding the nipple, and through this incision, the prominent breast tissue mass located deep to the nipple is removed and the surrounding fat excess is liposuctioned.

This aesthetic surgery is done under general anesthesia, and postoperatively, a compression vest is worn for a few weeks. Swelling may take a few months to completely resolve.

Gynecomastia surgery can improve the male chest contour and provide relief for this often embarassing problem.