Gynecomastia

Men comprise about 10% of all plastic surgery patients in the United States. However, this number continues to rise nearly every year. While men make up a small percentage of plastic surgery patients, there are some procedures only performed on men. A good example of this is male breast reduction, also known as gynecomastia surgery. The number of male breast reduction surgeries performed in the past decade has increased by over 30%. When it comes to where you can get the best gynecomastia surgery, Northwest Face & Body offers the best male breast reduction Bellevue and Kirkland offers.

Overview: What Is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a condition that causes the breast tissue and glands in men to enlarge or swell. In some cases, this can cause create the look of breasts, or for a man to look heavier than they are. The condition is not dangerous or harmful, but it can be extremely distressing. Some men may experience slight tenderness or pain.

Around 60-70% of men will experience gynecomastia at some point during their lifetime. In the vast majority of cases, the condition is temporary and will ease with little treatment over time. However, occasionally, gynecomastia does not go away with time or regular treatments. This may mean the patient needs surgical intervention to treat their gynecomastia.

Causes

The most common cause of gynecomastia is hormone changes or imbalances. This is why gynecomastia is often seen during puberty and later in life. Typically, when gynecomastia presents during puberty, it will go away before adulthood. Hormone imbalances at any point during your life may cause gynecomastia. This includes having medical conditions or taking medications that may influence hormone changes.

Some of the causes of enlarged male breast tissue include:

• Low testosterone levels
• Higher levels of estrogen
• Other hormone issues
• Certain medications such as some for cancer, ulcers, heart issues, AIDS, and mental health conditions
• Use of illegal or illicit drugs
• Weight loss or gain
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hypogonadism
• Eating disorders or malnutrition
• Aging

Treatment Options

The best way to treat your gynecomastia depends on the cause. For those experiencing natural hormonal changes, it is usually recommended that they wait until hormone levels even out. They will likely see their gynecomastia resolve within two years. If you are on medication or treatment influencing the gynecomastia, you may switch medications or see the gynecomastia improve after treatment. Additionally, drugs may be given to treat hormone issues or conditions contributing to male breast formation.

If these initial treatments do not improve your gynecomastia, surgery may be an option. Male breast reduction removes extra skin and tissue to provide a more masculine chest. This may be the best course of action for older men no longer producing as much testosterone, or those with gynecomastia not responsive to treatment.

Overall, the possible treatments for gynecomastia include:

• Time
• Stopping certain medications or treatments
• Treating health conditions
• Eating well and exercising
• Use of certain medications
• Surgery

Surgical Treatment

Male breast reduction surgery is most often a last resort for men with gynecomastia. It treats the most severe and chronic cases that do not go away within a couple of years or treatment. Plastic surgeons like Dr. Ludwig Allegra performs surgery to treat gynecomastia and give men their masculine chest back.

Dr. Allegra focuses on providing a chest that matches the patient’s body and that removes everything for a good result. With over two decades of experience, Dr. Allegra is among one of the top gynecomastia surgeons in Bellevue and Kirkland.

The Procedure

The technique that Dr. Allegra will use during male breast reduction varies depending on the severity of your gynecomastia and goals. Some patients with minor gynecomastia may see good results from a simple liposuction procedure. Others may require more extensive skin removal. Below are more details on the most frequently used methods.

• Liposuction: Liposuction is a procedure that removes small pockets of fat from targeted areas of the body. If your gynecomastia is mild, this may be all you need. Liposuction requires only a few small incisions and is fairly non-invasive.
• Incisions: Most gynecomastia patients will require some form of an incision. The exact location and size vary from patient to patient due to different anatomy and needs. Generally, Dr. Allegra will make an incision on one or both sides of the chest to remove excess fat, tissue, and skin. The most common placement is just below the pecs in the lower chest.

Dr. Allegra can determine if chest liposuction or the incision technique will best treat your gynecomastia during a consultation.

Benefits

For men suffering from breast enlargement due to gynecomastia, male breast reduction comes with many benefits. Not only can it alleviate the condition, often permanently, but it may even benefit a patient’s day to day life. Benefits of gynecomastia surgery may include:

• Improved masculine contour
• Fit into clothing better
• Better confidence and self esteem
• May alleviate back or neck pain
• Makes exercising easier
• Improvements to posture possible
• Address chest asymmetry
• Excess skin removal (when necessary)
• Personalized surgical techniques
• Long lasting results
• Low risk surgery
• Relatively limited recovery and downtime

Before And After Gynecomastia Surgery

Consultation

At a consultation at Northwest Face & Body, you will meet with Dr. Ludwig Allegra. Dr. Allegra will discuss the concerns you have with your current chest and goals for surgery. He will then look over your medical history and may ask some related questions. Following this, Dr. Allegra will physically examine your chest.

Upon physical examination, Dr. Allegra can conclude the severity of your gynecomastia and the right surgical technique or procedure that would achieve your goals. He will then determine if you are a good and low risk candidate for male breast reduction surgery in Bellevue.

Dr. Allegra will describe your gynecomastia surgery and discuss your options. Before leaving, you will also receive a finalized price quote and financing information.

Surgery Day

On the day of your male breast reduction surgery, a member of staff will greet you after check-in. You will change and they will begin preparing you for surgery. This may include running various tests and reviewing your medical history. Dr. Allegra will then meet with you to go over the surgical plan and make pre-surgical markings.

Once cleared for surgery, a licensed anesthesia provider will place you under general anesthesia. Dr. Allegra will then begin with surgery. As previously discussed, the actual surgical technique will vary based on your anatomy and needs. Generally, gynecomastia surgery takes around one to two hours.

Recovery

For a few days after surgery, you will need to take it easy. You will likely need to wear a compression garment and Dr. Allegra may instruct you to massage the area. While immediately following surgery you may see a difference in the look of your chest, this may shift as swelling and bruising settle in. These side effects should resolve within a couple of weeks and your final results will take about a year to settle.

Male breast reduction patients often return to work within about of surgery. This will vary and you should not return to work until Dr. Allegra gives the okay. Light exercise and cardio may begin after about two weeks. Though, you should abstain from upper body workouts for at least four to eight weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Psuedogynecomastia?

Psuedogynecomastia is when a man may have some degree of enlargement in the chest, but it is not due to gynecomastia. Most of the time this is due to weight changes. Either weight loss that has left extra skin behind or where the fat in the chest is particularly stubborn. Alternatively, weight gain may impact the look of a man’s chest.

Even if not due to gynecomastia, Dr. Allegra may be able to improve your chest contour. This is best determined by an expert like Dr. Allegra during a consultation.

Is Male Breast Reduction Permanent?

Male breast reduction is often permanent as long as you maintain a stable weight after surgery. However, later in life, hormonal changes can once again change the look of your chest. After gynecomastia surgery, the condition is unlikely to come back without an outside factor such as medications or medical conditions.

With that said, if the initial cause of your gynecomastia is not adequately treated before surgery, this can cause gynecomastia recurrence. You should ensure any underlying causes have been identified and treated before undergoing male breast reduction.

Does Gynecomastia Cause Pain?

Some men do report pain or tenderness as a symptom of their gynecomastia. Unbearable pain is rare and not all men will have these symptoms. This can be a strong motivator to seek out surgery because gynecomastia surgery can alleviate this discomfort.

Is Male Breast Reduction Surgery Safe?

Male breast reduction is considered safe for ideal candidates. Like any surgery, there are risks to undergoing the procedure. However, if you are generally healthy and do not smoke, there is little risk involved. Certain patients may have a higher risk for some complications. If this is the case, Dr. Allegra will talk about this with you.

How Much Is Gynecomastia Surgery In Bellevue?

Male breast reduction at Northwest Face & Body with Dr. Ludwig Allegra starts at $7,485. This price may change based on individual aspects of your surgery. You can get more pricing information via our Price Simulator™ and price list.

The Best Gynecomastia Surgery Bellevue And Kirkland At Northwest Face & Body

Dr. Ludwig Allegra is a Bellevue plastic surgeon who has served the Eastside’s cosmetic needs for over two decades. He is experienced in plastic and cosmetic surgery of the face and body, including gynecomastia surgery. Dr. Allegra uses the smallest incisions possible to provide the best results.

Northwest Face & Body is located on Carillion Point in Kirkland and accessible from all Eastside cities including Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond. With state-of-the-art technology and a welcoming atmosphere, Northwest Face & Body provides the best male breast reduction Bellevue and Kirkland offers.

To schedule a consultation, call us at 425-576-1700. You can also reach out online via Price Simulator®, chat, and contact form.