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Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia Before and After Galleries

What is gynecomastia?
What is pseudo-gynecomastia?
What is male breast reduction surgery?
How much does male breast reduction surgery cost?
What causes gynecomastia?

What is gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is an enlarged male breast caused by excessive glandular tissue. Excess breast tissue occurs in about 75% of young boys during puberty. This condition is normally temporary, and only lasts a few months. In 33% of puberal cases, the condition subsided within 1 year, and in 93% of cases, the condition subsided in 3 years.* Gynecomastia can be treated by eliminating the cause or by surgical excision.
*Ersek RA, Schaeferele M, Beckham PH, Salisbury MA, Gynecomastia: A clinical review, Aesth Surg J 2000, 20:55-58

What is pseudo-gynecomastia?

Pseudo-gynecomastia is an enlarged male breast caused by excessive fat tissue, but a normal amount of glandular breast tissue. Pseudo-gynecomastia occurs in many men as they become older and in younger men who are relatively obese.

Pseudo-gynecomastia can be effectively treated by liposuction.

What is male breast reduction?

Liposuction of the male breast is one of the four areas on men most commonly treated by liposuction. The other areas are the abdomen, flanks, and facial liposuction. Men with excessive fat in their breasts are good candidates for liposuction.

The normal male breast contains both fat tissue and glandular tissue. True breast tissue in males is typically a small localized lump located immediately under the nipple that is more firm than the surrounding fatty tissue. It is easy to remove fatty breast tissue by liposuction, but much more difficult to remove glandular tissue. A mammogram can help determine the amount of glandular tissue located within the surrounding fatty tissue.

Male breast reduction surgery was performed on 18,280 men in 2010. This represents a 6% increase vs. 2009 and a 73% increase vs. 2000.

Source: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

How much does male breast reduction cost?

Although fees vary according to region of country and patient needs, the average cost for Male Breast Reduction is $3,305*

*Fees do not include anesthesia, operating room facilities, or other related expenses.

What causes gynecomastia?

Some causes of gynecomastia include, but are not limited to: alcoholism, side effect from certain medications, low levels of testosterone, renal failure, testicular canceradrenal tumors, cirrhosis of the liver, severe starvation, lung cancer, tuberculosis, and hyperthyroidism. You will want to consult your physician to rule out any underlying conditions. If a man has a single enlarged breast, a doctor may request a mammogram to rule out a tumor.

Drugs that can cause gynecomastia include:

  • Amiloride (Moduretic)
  • Amiodarone (Cordarone)
  • Amphetamines
  • Anabolic steroids
  • Antiandrogens (cyproterone)
  • Anticancer drugs (cytotoxic)
  • Androgens
  • Busulfan (Myleran)
  • Captopril (Capoten)
  • Cimetidine (Tagamet)
  • Clomiphene (Clomid)
  • Diazepam (Valium)
  • Diethylpropion (Tenuate)
  • Digitalis
  • Domperidone
  • Estrogens
  • Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
  • Marijuana
  • Methyldopa
  • Metoclopramide
  • Nifedipine (Procardia)
  • Nitrosourea
  • Penicillamine
  • Phenothiazines
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin)
  • Reserpine
  • Spironolactone (Aldactone)
  • Tricyclic antidepressants
  • Vincristine

Be sure to discuss any connection between your condition and any medications you are taking with your plastic surgeon.

Related Links: Costs of Plastic Surgery | Gynecomastia Before and After Galleries | Liposuction Before and After Galleries | Liposuction Information | Find a Plastic Surgeon | Plastic Surgery Guide