STAND UP TALL
GYNECOMASTIA
Gynecomastia Correction
(Male Breast Reduction)
In Atlanta and throughout the U.S., the desired look of the male chest is broad and flat. Some men, unfortunately, struggle with a chest that may appear more feminine in nature. This condition is referred to as gynecomastia. While changes in lifestyle, including diet and exercise, can sometimes help flatten the chest, surgical intervention is often necessary. In this case, patients may turn to double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Alan N. Larsen for male breast reduction. This procedure removes excess fat and breast tissue, helping to contour a man’s chest.
Dr. Larsen performs male breast reduction in Atlanta to specifically target the aesthetic needs of some men. Men who deal with excess breast tissue that gives the appearance of a feminine chest may turn to this surgery as the only means for removing the tissue.
Removing the surplus breast tissue, as well as a conservative amount of fat in some cases can lead to improved self-confidence for many men. Additionally, with a new outlook and more masculine chest, patients may feel more comfortable in tight-fitting clothing or even going shirtless at the beach or poolside.
Everything You Need to Know About Gynecomastia
Have you ever felt insecure about your chest in public? At home? Fearful to take off your shirt during the summer at the pool or beach, in an intimate setting, at the gym. You aren’t alone. 70% of adolescents suffer from gynecomastia, and of that 20 % will continue with gynecomastia into adulthood, with middle-aged men having an incidence of up to 70%.
Gynecomastia reduction is a breast reduction surgery for men. This surgical procedure is popular among men used to flatten the chest and improve natural contours. Gynecomastia, or ”man boobs”, is a medical condition of enlarged or overdeveloped breast tissue. This condition can occur to men at any age, and it can be the result of obesity, hormonal changes, or the use of certain drugs or genetics.
Am I A Good Candidate?
In severe cases, the weight of the excess tissue may cause the breasts to sag and the areolas to stretch. In such cases, surgery can be a restorative process.
Gynecomastia is characterized by:
- Excessive glandular tissue development
- Excessive skin on the chest
- Localized fat on the chest
Gynecomastia can cause both physical and emotional discomfort. Physically, it can cause back pain and poor posture. Emotionally, it can affect a man’s self-image and confidence.
How Much Does Gynecomastia Cost?
At Buckhead Plastic Surgery, this average cost of this procedure is $9,700.00. Feel free to call us to book your consultation. Dr. Larsen will examine you and present you with all of your surgical options.
What are the Steps of This Procedure?
Typically the Gynecomastia procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure. This procedure is done under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation. Your doctor will advise you on which is best for you. There are various techniques used for this surgery and they are largely dependent on your body composition. If the primary cause of your gynecomastia is excess fatty tissue it’s likely that liposuction will be used. This requires the use of a tool called the cannula which is a thin hollow tube. It is gently moved back and forth in a controlled motion to loosen and remove excess fat which is then removed from the body with suction. There are many different techniques, and Dr. Larsen will choose the most appropriate form for your optimal results.
If there is glandular breast tissue or excess skin that must be removed to correct the gynecomastia, it’s likely excision techniques are recommended. Excision is also necessary when the areola needs to be reduced. In this case, the nipple may be repositioned to a more natural male contour. Incision patterns may vary depending on the patient’s body and surgical preference. In surgery excess tissue and skin are removed with a scalpel and great care is given to keep scarring minimal.
It is also common for this procedure to include a combination of these two procedures. After your initial exam, Dr. Larsen will be able to give you an idea of which procedures would be best for you to achieve your optimal result.
Dr. Larsen’s Personal Technique
Dr. Larsen is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. He has specific techniques he uses in this procedure that he has perfected to give patients optimal results. Typically in this procedure, he would make a small incision around the nipple (typically no longer than one inch) allowing him access to the tissue and fat in the chest area. He sometimes uses a liposuction technique with a small tool called a cannula to remove surplus pockets of fat and excess tissue. This incision location gives him a unique vantage point that also allows him to remove excess tissue with a scalpel. Once the proper contours are attained Dr. Larsen will close the incision with sutures and apply a compression garment around the chest.
Originally starting with large incisions that were unsightly, Dr. Larsen has slowly perfected this technique to include incisions that are never larger than an inch in size. An incision is usually made just under the breast tissue at the bottom of the chest, no longer than half a centimeter in size. As the procedure progresses, occasionally this incision is enlarged to about one inch, never larger. Through this small incision, the entire breast can be removed and the chest contoured to the exact symmetry. Liposuction is always performed using a small cannula to remove the surplus pockets of fat and contour the removal of the breast tissue into the remainder of the chest. If sharp dissection of the fibrous breast tissue is needed, this can be performed through this small incision. With attaining the final smooth contours, the incision is closed with sutures placed underneath the skin such that no sutures need to be removed in the postoperative period. Once completed and the incisions are closed, a compression garment is placed around the chest to complement healing.
What is Gynecomastia Recovery Like?
After the surgery, you will wake up with a comfortable cotton dressing underneath a compression vest. Occasionally, small tubes are in place to drain fluid and reduce swelling. You will be sent home with instructions on how to care for yourself.
For the first few days, you’ll have some lifestyle restrictions and will need a little extra help at home. You will need to wear the compression garment for a few weeks and avoid exercise until Dr. Larsen approves it. Some swelling and discomfort is a normal part of the healing process and you will be given pain meds or directed to take an anti-inflammatory at home to manage your discomfort. Most patients can return to full strenuous activity 3 weeks postoperatively.
Questions to Ask At Your Consultation
It’s common to have questions before any type of surgery. Here are a few we hear the most often. We encourage you to ask any questions you might have when you come in for your consultation. Dr. Larsen will specifically address your surgical options, outcome, and recovery.
- Which surgical procedure would be best for me?
- What can I expect after surgery?
- How long will I need to make lifestyle adjustments after surgery?
- How long does the surgery usually take?
- What kind of anesthesia is used?
- When can I return to work?
- How much discomfort will I experience?
- When will I see a change?
What non-surgical options are there for Gynecomastia?
For those who may not be a good candidate for gynecomastia reduction surgically, Buckhead Plastic Surgery and Dr. Larsen have another non-surgical option.
“Testosterone goes into the cells it’s acted on by aromatase which changes testosterone to estrogen and then the estrogen gives you the effects of enlarged breasts in the male. By adding an aromatase inhibitor inestrazol, you block the conversion of testosterone to estrogen and therefore you can resolve some gynecomastia cases. Probably a little more effective in the gentlemen who is older, probably 35-40+, less effective in the young male who has gynecomastia in their teens, going through puberty in their early teens, early twenties. By having the testosterone inhibitor you have all the added benefits of that.
– Dr. Larsen”
Read reviews from some of Dr. Larsen’s actual patients.
For most patients, gynecomastia reduction via surgery is likely the most effective option. Dr. Larsen has treated numerous cases, yielding phenomenal results for his male patients. However, if you are not a great candidate, or really would prefer to avoid surgery, BHRT/testosterone inhibitors could work for you. During your consultation, Dr. Larsen will exhaust the best options for your particular needs, based on your individual anatomy and demographic.
Why Choose Buckhead Plastic Surgery for Your Gynecomastia Surgery
Choosing a plastic surgeon is an important decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Dr. Larsen is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. When you come in for your consultation you will be able to review before and after pictures and read reviews of patients just like you. You do not have to spend another day unhappy with the way you look. Call us today to book your consultation with Dr. Larsen, meet our team, and get all your questions answered. Your only regret will be not calling sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gynecomastia
Male breast reduction is a common procedure that is also referred to as Gynecomastia. This surgical procedure is popular among men, used to flatten the chest and restore more masculine contours. Gynecomastia is a medical condition of large overdeveloped breast tissue. This condition can occur to men at any age as a result of obesity, hormonal changes, the use of certain drugs, or even genetics. In severe cases, the weight of the excess tissue may cause the breasts to sag and the areolas to stretch.
Besides the physical effects, this condition can affect other areas of a man’s life. It can cause you to feel self-conscious while doing certain athletic activities. You might avoid going shirtless or even avoid intimacy. In such cases, surgery can be a restorative process.
If you are considering this procedure please call our office and schedule your free consultation today. Good candidates for this procedure are in good overall health, have a positive outlook, and realistic expectations of what is achievable. Other qualities of a good candidate are non-smokers. They have maintained a healthy weight consistently for a year, they are bothered by their chest tissue and cannot correct their condition through lifestyle adjustments or treatments.
Sometimes achieving the look of a more masculine chest is simply a matter of losing a few pounds. But that is not the case for everyone. Some men accumulate more fatty tissue on their chest as a result of genetics, and some are unable to change their appearance even with diet and exercise. If this is you, surgery might be the answer.
For men, having excess tissue on the chest can have more effects than just their physical appearance. It can cause posture issues as well as back pain. Both of which can affect your quality of life and your ability to partake in the activities you want to spend your time doing. Whether you’re a golfer, a swimmer, or just want to play basketball with your buddies on the weekend – having this procedure is going to improve your range of motion, your self-confidence, and make you feel lighter on your feet. You’ll be able to get back to doing the things you’ve always done.
At Buckhead Plastic Surgery this procedure can range from $4,500-10,000. That might feel like a wide range, but it’s really very dependent on what type of procedure you’re needing. This procedure can be very involved in resculpting the tissue, removing excess fat and even removing excess skin. Other times it’s a quick liposuction procedure done with precision to reveal a tighter contour.
Once you book your consultation, Dr. Larsen will examine you and present you with the best options for treatment. It’s important to note that this is a surgery that requires quite a lot of skill. Dr. Larsen is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience in this procedure. Although insurance companies usually deem this an elective surgery, financing options are also available through a third party for those that qualify.
After the surgery, you will wake up with bandages as well as a compression bandage across your chest. Sometimes small tubes are in place to drain fluid and reduce swelling. You will be sent home with instructions on how to care for yourself. In the first few days, you’ll have a few lifestyle restrictions and will need a little extra help at home.
Depending on the type of procedure you have, the recovery can vary slightly, sometimes this procedure is performed with liposuction. Other times it’s necessary to remove more than just fat but also tissue. If your procedure is completed with just the liposuction technique, your recovery will likely be quick, and you’ll experience minimal discomfort. You will likely be instructed to wear a compression garment for a few weeks and need to avoid vigorous exercise. After a few weeks, you can return to your normal lifestyle.
If you have the tissue and excess skin removed, the recovery will take a bit longer. But you should still be able to return to work within about a week of your surgery. You will also need to wear a compression garment for a few weeks and avoid exercise until your doctor approves it. Swelling and discomfort is a normal part of the healing process and you will be given pain meds or directed to take anti-inflammatory medicine at home to manage your pain.
Most patients who undergo this procedure, state that the discomfort is minimal and notice results from the surgery immediately. Although swelling is a normal part of the healing process and will continue for several weeks after the procedure, most patients are surprised by how quickly they are able to return to their normal activities.
Male breast reduction is one of the most common procedures for our male clientele. Any major surgery is a decision that should be made carefully. If you are still uncertain if this procedure is right for you call us today to book your free consultation and get a professional opinion.
If you decide the surgery is right for you, Dr. Larsen is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience performing this procedure. He has trained with the best surgeons in the country and has perfected his surgical techniques.
When you come in for your free consultation you will be able to review before and after pictures and read reviews from former patients. Don’t spend your life unhappy with the way you look. Take action, call us today to book your consultation with Dr. Larsen. During your consultation, you’ll have a chance to meet our team and get all your questions answered. Your only regret will be not calling sooner.
Patient Photo Gallery
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Alan N. Larsen, MD.
Double Board-Certified Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Larsen established Buckhead Plastic Surgery as a boutique practice to offer world-class, personalized service to women and men throughout the Southeast. Dr. Larsen’s compassion and talent are complemented by his elite training with some of the nation’s finest plastic surgeons.
Alan N. Larsen, MD.Double Board-Certified Atlanta Plastic SurgeonDr. Larsen established Buckhead Plastic Surgery as a boutique practice to offer world-class, personalized service to women and men throughout the Southeast. Dr. Larsen’s compassion and talent are complemented by his elite training with some of the nation’s finest plastic surgeons.