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Cosmetic Breast Surgery

Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia)

Leesburg - Northern Virginia - Loudoun

Male Breast Reduction

Male breast enlargement is a common problem that can affect children, teenagers, and adults alike. The condition can be significantly distressing, particularly in young adults who are beginning to recognize and struggle with self-image, socialization, and dating. Many men avoid social situations that involve wearing bathing trunks and wear loose clothing to hide their breasts.

Fortunately, if addressed early, many patients can be treated with simple liposuction without the need for more complicated procedures. 

Enlarged breasts in males is actually quite common, especially during puberty. It is connected to the changes in their estrogen levels (yes, men have estrogen too!). Older men also get them due to medications such as antibiotics, heart and anti-anxiety medicines, and chemotherapy. Steroids and drugs like marijuana and heroin can also cause enlarged male breasts.

Before considering cosmetic surgery, sufferers should consult their primary care doctor to rule out any underlying health issues, which may include:

  • obesity
  • pituitary tumors
  • adrenal gland dysfunction
  • kidney disease
  • high levels of estrogen

Treatment options for enlarged male breasts depend on the amount of breast enlargement and the amount of associated excess skin.  

The breast is generally composed of fat, breast tissue, and skin. The degree of enlargement and excess of each of these structures will determine the surgical option that is appropriate for you.  

Patients with minimal yet distressing breast enlargement can be treated by simple liposuction.  

Simple Liposuction

Simple liposuction can be performed under general anesthesia or under local anesthesia in the office setting. The procedure involves a small 2-3 mm incision in each breast through which small suction cannulas are introduced. The cannulas are used to remove the fat from the breast. 

There is often a small to moderate amount of harder breast glandular tissue located directly beneath the nipple. This tissue cannot be removed by liposuction and may require surgical excision.

Liposuction with periareolar excision of breast tissue under the areola:

Liposuction will be performed as explained above. If there is a visible or conspicuous amount of breast tissue, it will need to be removed by surgical excision. The breast tissue is a harder substance than fat and can be sucked through the cannula.

This is generally performed by a small incision located along the bottom margin of the nipple areola area.

Surgical breast reduction with excision of excess skin and breast tissue:

As the breast tissue enlarges, the fat and breast tissue can begin to stretch the surrounding skin. The skin can cause sagging of the breast tissue similar to that found in women.  

Surgical excision of the extra skin will be required if the breast has enlarged to this degree. The approach at this point is similar to that taken for female breast lift and reduction and will depend on the amount of extra skin and the degree of sagging.  Surgical scars may be required around the areola for simple cases, and may even require an anchor pattern if there are very large degrees of sagging tissue.

Good candidates include men who are:

  • uncomfortable with their breast size
  • nonsmokers and don’t use recreational drugs
  • healthy, stable weight and have been at that weight for a number of months
  • not obese – the recommendation would be to go on a weight loss program first
  • teenagers who are unhappy with their breast size (they may require an additional procedure later as an adult if breast tissue continues to develop)
  • not suffering from an underlying health reason for the enlarged breasts

The decision to treat gynecomastia by liposuction or by surgical excision depends on the amount of breast enlargement and if the enlargement has stretched the surrounding skin enough to cause sagging of skin and breast tissue.  

  • Patients with skin excess that is sagging will require surgical excision of the skin to properly tailor the skin tissue
  • Patients with visible breast tissue under the nipple complex may need surgical excision of the breast tissue
  • Patients with only extra fat in the breast without significant skin excess may be treated by simple liposuction

Dr. Chang will discuss the best treatment options with you during your consultation.

After surgery you should rest at home and let yourself heal. Dr. Chang will send you home with a detailed recovery plan. There are a number of different ways to help aid recovery:

  • All patients will need to wear a compression vest for about 4 weeks.  
  • Final results should not be expected for at least 6 months to a year. Over that time, the breast shape will change dramatically so you have to be extremely patient; swelling will decrease dramatically as will the shape of your breasts.
  • Most patients are presentable without drawing attention in 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Sutures, if any, are removed in 10 to 14 days.
  • Strenuous exercise (aerobic and weights over 20 pound) should be avoided for 2 to 4 weeks to help in the recovery process.
  • Apply aquaphor ointment to exposed sutures and incisions should be applied twice a day until the sutures are removed.
  • Most patients will take 5 to 7 days off of work.
  • Pain can initially be moderate to severe if excess skin has been removed. Narcotic medication will be prescribed to help for the first 3 days. Advil or tylenol will work after.
  • don’t drive for 7 days or until you have stopped taking narcotic medication.

As with any surgery, there are associated risks. Only you can decide whether the procedure can achieve your goals and if the recovery and risks are acceptable to you. Complications are rare but can include:

  • Local bleeding or bruising
  • Infection particularly from the absorbable sutures
  • Loss of sensation although rare
  • Widened or thickened scar
  • Asymmetry (unevenness between two sides)
  • Delayed wound healing with skin or tissue necrosis
  • Extra skin at the ends of the incisions
  • Under-correction
  • Over-correction

Unsatisfactory results may require additional procedures. Patients will generally be responsible for any associated facility fees. 

Depending on the type of procedure you have:

For liposuction:

Most patients treated by simple liposuction will return to work in 3-5 days.

You will, however remain sore and will be wearing surgical compression garments at this time.

For surgical options:

Most patients treated by liposuction and skin excision will return to work in 7-10 days.

You will, however remain sore and will be wearing surgical compression garments at this time.

 

Puffy or pointy nipples may be caused by glandular gynecomastia.

If you are concerned about this, tell Dr. Chang at your consultation. He will personalize your surgical plan to select the best incision pattern and technique to improve your nipples. Oversized areolas may also be corrected in surgery for gynecomastia.It is crucial to be honest with Dr. Chang about all your concerns and wants during your initial consultation, so he can help you attain the results you want.

Your cost for male breast reduction will depend on the type of technique needed. It is important to consider the expertise of the surgeon and your desired results over the cost. See the pricing card below.

Male Breast Reduction - Gynecomastia

Starting at $3500

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Breast Reduction Surgery in Northern Virginia

Dr. Phillip Chang Plastic Surgeon in Loudoun VA

Dr. Phillip Chang is a leading plastic surgeon in Loudoun County who specializes in surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures for the breast, body, face, and skin. He is board certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is the founder of Aesthetica Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Leesburg, VA. Dr. Chang is dedicated to providing high-quality service that concentrates on the unique needs and concerns of his patients. He believes combining attentive care and minimally invasive techniques is the best avenue for achieving beautiful, natural-looking results. Dr. Chang is thrilled to be serving the greater northwest area of Washington, D.C. with top cosmetic care that is dependable and trustworthy.

Interested in learning more about Dr. Chang? Click here.

We are based in Leesburg, VA. Located as part of the Lansdowne medical complex, you have access to our 24-7 state-of-the-art facility as well as access to Lansdowne hospital. We are based directly across the road from INOVA hospital. There is ample parking, elevators to bring you to our third floor offices, and welcoming staff to sign you in.

We are proud of our surgeries and cosmetic procedures and love that our patients are happy too. They like to shout it out on Google, Yell, Facebook, and right here on our website. Check out our reviews here.

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All potential patients receive either a phone, virtual, or in-consultation for free.

During the consultation we will discuss your treatment wishes and expectations. This is the time to ask us lots of questions to really understand what is involved, what the costs will be, and what is expected of you. This is also a great time to get to know Dr. Chang.

Aesthetica has received numerous awards from the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, New Beauty, Best of Loudoun, Posh 7 Top Picks, and Dr. Chang is internationally known for his lectures and advances in precise surgical technique as demonstrated through his unique mini-facelift procedure.

We have three execeptionally talents cosmetic nurses:

  • Melanie Schwarz, RN, BSN
  • Katy Down, RN, BSN
  • Angela Westbrook, RN, BSN

Read more about us – we can’t wait to meet you!

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