The term gynecomastia refers to the enlargement of male breasts. Although this condition poses no risk or physical harm, it can negatively impact a man’s self-confidence and lead to embarrassment. Removing excess tissue and skin from the chest as performed in male breast reduction surgery will provide a more masculine contour.

In order to find out if you are a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery, please contact our office today and schedule a consultation with Dr. Brian Arslanian. A defined, chiseled physique is one phone call away!

About Male Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is a disorder of the endocrine system which causes an increase in male breast size. This increase causes the chest to lose definition and appear feminine. There are a variety of reasons that can cause this condition, including:

  • Aging
  • Certain medications
  • Overproduction of estrogen
  • Natural hormone changes and imbalances
  • Alcohol and certain drugs
  • Liver or kidney diseases
  • Thyroid conditions
  • Klinefelter disease
  • Herbal products

This condition can have a negative impact on men’s body image and self-confidence. Often, men with overdeveloped breasts will tend to avoid certain social events, such as going to the beach and swimming. Gynecomastia is corrected with gynecomastia surgery, also known as male breast reduction surgery.

What is Gynecomastia Surgery?

A male breast reduction or gynecomastia surgery is performed to remove excess skin and tissue from the chest to reduce the size of the male breasts. Glandular (breast) tissue is removed with a scalpel and adipose (fat) tissue is removed with liposuction. Either procedure technique will help men achieve a sculpted, defined chest.

As a result of this transformative surgery, men feel more comfortable in certain social settings and this can improve their quality of life. Dr. Arslanian performs his gynecomastia surgeries using the latest technology which significantly reduces risks associated with surgery. He also uses very small incisions for this surgery, which makes for a faster recovery time and better results. Contact either our Atlanta or Jonesboro office today to request a gynecomastia consultation with Dr. Brian Arslanian.

Good Candidates

Good candidates for a gynecomastia procedure are men looking to reduce excess tissue and/or skin on their chest and attain a more sculpted physique. Men with enlarged breasts may be candidates for this procedure if they have already tried to reduce the size of the breasts through diet and exercise but to no avail. These patients should be in good health and have realistic expectations for the procedure outcomes. The patient should not have any underlying health conditions that can negatively affect the body’s ability to heal and the final results. It is important that prospective patients maintain a stable weight and are able to obtain medical clearance to undergo a surgical procedure.

Patients who are under 18 years of age may not be sound candidates for this procedure. Patients who are looking into this procedure should have finished going through puberty and the body’s natural development. This is because some cases of gynecomastia go away on their own after puberty. Most commonly, this treatment is sought out by middle-aged men and older, typically between the ages of 40-60.

Preparation

Once the gynecomastia procedure has been scheduled, Dr. Arslanian will provide the patient with a list of preparatory instructions that they are advised to follow in the weeks leading up to the surgery. Patients should avoid taking any anti-inflammatory for 2 weeks prior to the procedure and if they smoke, they will be asked to quit 3 weeks before. If patients have any questions during this time, we encourage them to contact our office and speak with one of our knowledgeable members of staff.

Surgery Information

Gynecomastia surgery is performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Once the patient is asleep, Dr. Aslanian will begin the procedure by making the necessary incisions around the male breasts, either under the chest or around the areola. Through these incisions, the doctor will insert a tiny tube, called a cannula, to remove any fat. The fat will be removed through the cannula using high power suction, like that of a vacuum. Once the chest has been sculpted to the desired contour, the doctor can remove unwanted glandular breast tissue.

After an adequate amount of tissue has been removed, Dr. Arslanian may need to reposition the areolas to ensure symmetry of the male chest. He takes care not to remove too much fat or tissue to maintain a sculpted appearance. The doctor will then close any incisions using sutures, pulling the remaining skin taut. A compression garment will be wrapped around the patient’s chest and they will then be taken to the recovery area.

Recovery

After the gynecomastia procedure, the patient will be monitored for a couple hours before being released to go home.

Bandages and surgical garments will be provided and applied before being discharged. The patient will be instructed to wear the provided surgical garments throughout their recovery to aid in reducing swelling and bruising. Dr. Arslanian will provide the patient with additional recovery instructions to follow to help ensure optimal healing and results. The doctor recommends to all of his post-op patients to walk a brief amount the night after their surgery. This will help promote circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots from forming.

Patients will be asked to refrain from their daily routines for the first week after their procedure. More vigorous routines, such as heavy lifting, should be avoided for at least 3 weeks following their surgery to give the body a considerable amount of time to properly heal. Any visible scarring will continue to fade and flatten out over time and the remaining skin and tissue will settle into the new contour of the chest.

Other Procedures for Men

Dr. Arslanian offers additional procedures for his male patients that are geared specifically towards the male body to help them attain a more masculine physique. Patients may opt for additional treatments to be performed in conjunction with the gynecomastia procedure. The most commonly chosen procedures for men include:

Liposuction

Diet and exercise are key components to keep the pounds off and maintain a healthy physique. However, as we age, fat deposits begin to colonize and become harder and harder to get rid of naturally. For men, this issue is often times hereditary. The most common areas where fat resides are the flanks, abdomen, back, arms, and thighs. This male liposuction procedure, often called liposculpture, is tailored to contour the male figure in particular. This is a very common procedure that is performed during their gynecomastia surgery.

Injectables

Men understand that their bodies are not the only factor that is important when instilling confidence; the face is very important too. Our male patients often receive additional cosmetic treatments to help reduce signs of aging on the face. Dr. Arslanian does this through the use of botulinum toxins and certain types of dermal fillers. These injectables are some of the most effective anti-aging agents available and require little to no recovery or downtime at all.

Injectable treatments are not performed the same on men as they are on women. Dr. Arslanian fully understands that the male and female facial structures are very different and provides proper treatment accordingly.

Botulinum toxins, such as Botox and Xeomin, are used to reduce dynamic wrinkles. These injectables do not treat volume loss, but rather, correct lines and wrinkles on the face that are caused by muscle contractions when making facial expressions. These wrinkles are usually found on the forehead, and around the eyes, nose, and mouth. Botox is not just for women.

Dermal fillers like Juvederm treat static wrinkles. These wrinkles and lines are caused by a decrease in volume and loss of elasticity in the skin. In comparison to dynamic wrinkles, static wrinkles can be treated by adding volume to the skin to create a more even surface and masculine contour.

Consultation

During the initial consultation with Dr. Arslanian, he will discuss with the patient what their concerns are with their chest and their desired outcome. Next, he will review with the patient their medical history, routine medications, and current health conditions. It is important to come fully prepared for the consultation in order for Dr. Arslanian to accurately evaluate the particular case and ensure the patient’s safety. The doctor will then conduct an evaluation to identify the patient’s particular concerns and make the final determinations for their candidacy.

If they are a good candidate, Dr. Arslanian and the patient will work together to construct a customized treatment plan that encompasses the treatment(s) needed to achieve the desired chest contour. If deemed fit by the doctor, the patient will be given the opportunity to schedule their gynecomastia procedure during this time, however, there is no obligation to do so.

If additional or alternative treatments are required to provide a more masculine and sculpted chest, Dr. Arslanian will make his recommendations during this visit. Once the procedure has been scheduled, our office will provide the patient with a list of preparatory instruction to follow.

Cost

The price of gynecomastia surgery is individualistic. The cost will vary depending on the patient’s particular concerns and if any additional procedures will need to be performed in conjunction to receive optimal results. During the initial consultation, Dr. Arslanian will build a personalized treatment plan based on the exact needs and concerns of each patient. Through this, the doctor will be able to provide patients with their custom quote. In order to obtain pricing for this procedure, we ask our patients to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Arslanian.