Gynecomastia Surgery
Gynecomastia (male breast reduction) surgery at the Northern Virginia practice of Dr. Larry Lickstein is about helping men feel more comfortable and confident in their bodies. Gynecomastia is a condition that causes males to grow excess breast tissue, and this can have a profound impact on a man’s self-esteem. Some men may also have a prominent chest from weight gain or loose skin from weight loss. Through gynecomastia surgery, Dr. Lickstein can restore more masculine contours and tone.
Why Choose Dr. Larry Lickstein for Your Gynecomastia Surgery?
Dr. Lickstein is a board-certified plastic surgeon who understands that the concerns felt by men with gynecomastia are more than skin deep. This is a condition that can dramatically impact the way a man feels about himself. Dr. Lickstein is pleased to be able to use his considerable skill and technique to artfully sculpt more masculine contours for his patients during male breast reduction surgery, customizing results to enhance not only a patient’s appearance but also his self-confidence.
Male Breast Reduction: What to Expect
Preparing for Surgery
The first step in preparing for male breast reduction surgery is your consultation appointment with Dr. Lickstein. During this meeting, you will have the opportunity to candidly discuss your cosmetic challenges and goals, and then work with Dr. Lickstein to develop a fully customized treatment plan. Dr. Lickstein will also review your medical history to determine the potential cause of your breast tissue growth, ensuring that your treatment plan will adequately address your concerns. Before concluding this appointment, Dr. Lickstein and his team will make sure you are fully informed about the gynecomastia surgery procedure and what you can expect during recovery.
How Gynecomastia Surgery Works
On the day of your surgery, Dr. Lickstein will review your treatment plan with you and make markings on your skin to make sure you are in agreement before you receive a general anesthetic. Depending on the extent and nature of your gynecomastia, Dr. Lickstein will either remove excess glandular tissue, use liposuction to remove excess fat, or both. In most cases, Dr. Lickstein makes a small incision along the lower border of the areola (the dark skin around the nipple) to remove glandular tissue, then employs liposuction to sculpt the area for an appearance that looks natural. Dr. Lickstein may also reposition the nipple and remove excess skin before closing the incision using mostly internal sutures.
Recovery After Gynecomastia Surgery
Following gynecomastia surgery, it is normal for patients to experience some bruising, swelling, and discomfort. Dr. Lickstein will prescribe medication to help you stay comfortable, and for the first few weeks after your procedure you will wear a special compression garment to help keep swelling down and ensure proper healing. Dr. Lickstein will encourage you to refrain from strenuous physical activity or exercise for roughly one month after gynecomastia surgery.1
Gynecomastia Surgery Results
Following their recovery period, Dr. Lickstein’s patients enjoy the appearance of a flatter chest and more masculine contours after their gynecomastia surgery. For most patients, the changes to their appearance after male breast reduction are accompanied by a boost in self-confidence and more positive self-image.
Contact Elle Aesthetic Arts
Dr. Lickstein and the team at Elle Aesthetic Arts believe that when patients like the way they look, they feel more empowered to live life with confidence. If you would like to learn more about male breast reduction surgery or to schedule your consultation with Dr. Lickstein, please contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gynecomastia Surgery
What causes gynecomastia?
Most gynecomastia is not associated with significant health problems and is simply developmental. The growth of male breast tissue related to excess body weight (that can be reversed with exercise and lifestyle changes) is not true gynecomastia. For the majority of Dr. Lickstein’s patients, true gynecomastia is caused by a hormonal imbalance such as a decrease in testosterone or an increase in estrogen. This is most common during puberty and can also occur in late middle age, and it can cause the over-development of male breast tissue regardless of a man’s body composition. Other potential causes of gynecomastia, while rare, include:
- Certain prescription medications
- Glandular disorders such as hyperthyroidism or hypogonadism
- Malnutrition
- Kidney failure
- Liver problems or cirrhosis
- Alcohol or street drug use2
How common is gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is much more common than many men think it is. In fact, up to 70% of boys may develop excess breast tissue due to hormonal changes during early to mid-puberty, though this typically resolves without treatment. Additionally, up to 25% of men experience the growth of excess breast tissue between the ages of 50-80. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, up to 20,000 men undergo gynecomastia surgery every year in the United States.3
Who is a candidate for gynecomastia surgery?
If you are a man troubled by excess breast tissue, you may be interested in learning more about achieving more masculine contours with gynecomastia surgery. The ideal candidate for this procedure is in good general health, has a stable weight, and has realistic expectations about what can be achieved through male breast reduction surgery. The best way to learn whether you are a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lickstein.
Can gynecomastia return after male breast reduction surgery?
Depending on the cause of your gynecomastia, it is possible (though exceedingly uncommon) that glandular or fatty tissue could recur after male breast reduction surgery. Dr. Lickstein will go over this possibility with you prior to your procedure, and he will explain that it is important for you to maintain a stable weight and live a healthy lifestyle in order to diminish the regrowth of fatty breast tissue. If the cause of your gynecomastia is hormonal or otherwise not related to your body weight, your primary physician or a specialist can recommend treatments to reduce your risk of recurring gynecomastia.
1 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Gynecomastia Surgery Recovery. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/gynecomastia-surgery/recovery. Accessed March 3, 2021
2 Mayo Clinic. Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia). Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gynecomastia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351793. Accessed March 2, 2021.
3 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2018 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. Available:https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2018/plastic-surgery-statistics-full-report-2018.pdf. Accessed March 2, 2021.