Gynecomastia is a syndrome of male breast enlargement. Although some drugs and medical conditions have been linked with gynecomastia, there is usually no known cause for this condition. Up to 60% of the male population may be affected by gynecomastia to some degree, and it may affect one or both breasts. More about this procedure.

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There are two types of gynecomastia - primary and secondary. Primary gynecomastia usually develops during puberty. There is no underlying cause for this type. Secondary gynecomastia develops due to obesity, and/or the use of certain drugs such as steroids, alcohol or marijuana.

If a patient is obese, drinks alcohol in excess, smokes marijuana or takes steroids, he will be discouraged from having surgery and encouraged to lose weight and/or stop using drugs or alcohol to see if breast fullness is reduced.

In the treatment of primary gynecomastia, once Dr. Marcus knows how much fat and glandular tissue is within the breasts, he can choose a surgical approach to best suit the patient's needs. The best candidates for this surgery have firm, elastic skin that will reshape itself to a new contour after surgery.

Surgery for gynecomastia usually takes between 1 to 2 hours and is performed as an outpatient procedure in Dr. Marcus's in-office surgery suite. Correction of enlarged male breasts is usually performed under local anesthia with sedation, but may be performed under general anestheisa. Dr. Marcus will discuss with the patient the best option for his particular needs.

The surgery is usually performed by making a small incision near the nipple that permits the excess tissue to be removed. Liposuction is often performed around the edges of the breast to ensure a smooth, natural-looking final result. In extreme cases where large amounts of fat or tissue are removed, the skin may not adjust well to the breast contour. In these cases, excess skin may need to be removed.

Complications related to surgery are infrequent and usually minor. The risks associated with this surgery include infection, excessive bleeding, fluid loss or accumulation and temporary numbness. Noticeable scars can also result from this surgery, as can permanent pigment changes in the breast area or asymmetrical breasts or nipples. If asymmetry is significant, a second procedure may be performed.

To help reduce swelling after surgery, the patient will probably be advised to wear an elastic pressure garment for a week or two. Patients can expect to be back to normal daily activities within a week, but should refrain from heavy physical activity for about one month. It will take about three months before the patient sees the final result of the surgery.

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