NYC Male Breast Reduction
What is Male Breast Reduction?
Male breast reduction surgery uses a combination of liposuction, tissue excision, and body contouring techniques to remove excess breast tissue, reshape the nipple-areolar complex, and sculpt the chest to achieve desired results.
What is gynecomastia?
According to the National Institutes of Health, 50–60% of teenage boys and 70% of men over 50 have a condition known as gynecomastia, or pronounced male breasts caused by oversized breast gland tissue, surplus chest fat, or a combination of the two.
Although gynecomastia rarely causes serious medical issues, many men desire a more traditionally masculine silhouette. Excess skin and tissue can lead to sensitivity or pain in the chest and increase the frequency of skin rashes and chafing.
Overdeveloped breasts can occur at any age and in one or both breasts. Sometimes gynecomastia will resolve itself over time. For patients whose condition does not improve, male breast reduction surgery is an option.
Causes of Excess Breast Tissue
Multiple, interrelated factors drive the development of excess breast tissue and fat that form the enlarged breasts seen in gynecomastia.
Hormone imbalance
The most common cause of gynecomastia is an imbalance in the amounts of estrogen, which controls breast development and menstruation in women, and testosterone, which regulates traits like muscle mass and hair growth.
Periodic surges in male estrogen production—after birth, during puberty, and after age 50—can trigger temporary growth in the breast glands. Patients who find that their breasts do not return to a normal size once testosterone production increases (usually within six months to two years) may benefit from a gynecomastia surgery procedure.
Substance use
Chronic abuse of alcohol, marijuana, heroin, and amphetamines can damage the liver and kidneys, reducing the body’s ability to metabolize estrogen. Alcohol consumption can also lead to weight gain, which often causes excess fatty tissue to develop in the chest.
Because the body converts steroids into estrogen, the use of anabolic steroids is known to induce gynecomastia that will not resolve even after steroid use ceases.
Genetic health conditions
Conditions associated with reduced testosterone production (such as Klinefelter syndrome, pituitary insufficiency, and testicular, adrenal gland, or pituitary gland tumors) can cause the overdevelopment of breast tissue in men.
Additionally, hyperthyroidism, kidney or liver failure, and malnutrition can also disrupt the balance of hormones in the body and cause gynecomastia.
Prescription medication
Gynecomastia can be a side effect of medications used to treat prostate problems and anxiety, antibiotics, certain antidepressants, ulcer and heart medications, and chemotherapy treatments.
Weight fluctuations
Significant weight gain causes excess fat to develop in the chest. These fat deposits can result in enlarged breasts, both by altering hormone balances and by stretching the skin over the pectoral muscles.
Gynecomastia Surgery
Enlarged breasts are classified from grade I, which is minor enlargement with no excess skin or ptosis (drooping), to grade IV, which is severe enlargement with severe ptosis and excess skin.
Grade I gynecomastia can likely be resolved through liposuction. For more involved cases, Dr. Maman will surgically remove the excess glandular tissue, fat, and skin using several small incisions placed discreetly in the underarm, under the breast crease, and around the areola.
Nipples that are enlarged, puffy, or low on the chest can be resized and moved to the appropriate position as part of the surgery.
The Procedure
We make sure you have the information you need to feel informed about your decision, from your inquiry about our practice through the consultation and recovery.
Consultation
The first step is a thorough, collaborative consultation. Before surgery, we provide:
- 60- to 90-minute in-depth initial consultations with a complete medical history review and physical assessment by Dr. Maman
- Multiple pre-op visits to answer all your questions
- Specialized surgery coordinators to help you navigate scheduling, financial, and insurance processes
Surgery
Once you’ve decided to move forward with surgery, we emphasize convenience, comfort, and a smooth recovery. This includes:
- Convenient NYC operating facilities
- Luxury recovery room options at NYC hotels
- Complimentary, custom post-operative support garments and scar treatment regimens
- Attentive and routine aftercare visits
Personalized, Holistic Patient-Centered Approach
Understanding each patient’s personal and clinical needs is central to our practice. We customize treatment plans for each patient, and each patient receives Dr. Maman’s personal contact information along with direct round-the-clock access to our nurse and surgical coordinator.
“He is the authority in his field and has my trust and loyalty from now on. I love my refreshed, natural results.”
Results & Recovery
Our priority is to provide the highest degree of comfort for our patients throughout their breast augmentation procedure and recovery.
We schedule multiple pre-op appointments to make sure that our patients are fully informed and know exactly what to expect from the procedure. We also stay in close contact during the pre-op period in order to ensure that each patient receives prompt and personalized care.
Once surgery is complete, local patients have the option to recover at home in NYC or in one of our luxury recovery rooms located in select hotels in the city. Recovery timelines vary depending on procedure, and our thorough aftercare options ensure optimized recovery and results.
For more information, read our FAQs below.
See our results. Contact us to find the right approach for you.
Meet Dr. Daniel Maman
Dr. Daniel Maman is a Harvard fellowship-trained and board-certified plastic surgeon specialized in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the breast, body, and face.
Male Breast Reduction FAQs
How much do you charge for male breast reduction surgery?
The price for male breast reduction surgery depends on the severity of gynecomastia and whether or not the surgery is combined with other procedures. After your initial consultation with Dr. Maman, our specialized surgical coordinators will provide you with an itemized price quote.
Am I a good candidate for male breast reduction surgery?
Although meeting with Dr. Maman is the best way to determine if you are a good candidate for a male breast reduction procedure, patients who are generally healthy non-smokers and who have enlarged breast tissue or excess fatty tissue on the chest are good candidates for gynecomastia surgery. An ideal age and time for surgery will be determined during consultation.
Will my male breast reduction be permanent?
Male breast reduction surgery is considered a permanent surgery, but it is important to know that gynecomastia can reoccur. Avoiding misuse or abuse of substances, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and managing related medical conditions can help ensure long-lasting results.
Surgical Procedure FAQs
Where will my surgery be performed? How long does male breast reduction surgery take?
Dr. Maman usually performs male breast reduction surgeries at an in-office, AAAASF-certified facility or an outpatient ambulatory surgery center (ASC). He also has operating privileges at Mount Sinai Hospital, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York Eye & Ear Infirmary, and Englewood Hospital. We work with you to select the best facility for your needs.
Gynecomastia surgery takes approximately one to two hours. Combining male breast reduction with another procedure will add to total time in the operating room.
Can I combine my male breast reduction surgery with other surgical procedures?
While recommendations always depend on the procedure and the patient, the answer is generally yes. Combining procedures can minimize overall recovery time and reduce costs. Dr. Maman will work with you to find the best way to achieve your goals with the least amount of operating time so you can get back to living your life.
What does male breast reduction recovery look like?
It is normal to experience discomfort, fluid retention, bruising, and swelling after a male breast reduction procedure. Pain can be managed with prescription and over-the-counter medications.
We recommend wearing the compressive garments we provide for up to six weeks to help reduce swelling and encourage healing.
How long does male breast reduction recovery take?
Patients generally return to work and home life within one to two weeks of surgery and to normal activities within two to four weeks. Full recovery is usually achieved by three months.
When can I work out after male breast reduction?
It is important to remember that feeling recovered is not the same as being fully healed. In order to maintain your results and ensure proper healing, we recommend easing slowly back into a fitness routine only after being cleared by Dr. Maman, usually after two to four weeks.
How do I treat scars after surgery?
Dr. Maman will provide you with detailed scar-treatment protocols, medical-grade creams, and tapes to minimize your scarring.
Will the surgery require follow-up visits?
Because we value our patients’ health and satisfaction above everything else, we do not charge for post-operative visits. This includes visits that are part of your detailed follow-up plan during the first year after surgery and the annual visits that we recommend to ensure your final results are maintained.
General FAQ page
For questions about scheduling a consultation or more information about our practice, please visit our frequently asked questions page.
Request A Consultation
Call Today 212.920.6800
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Maman or to get more information, kindly submit your details using the adjacent form and a member of our patient concierge team will promptly be in touch. We look forward to welcoming you to Maman Plastic Surgery.
1100 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10128
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