What Are The Signs You Have Gynecomastia?

You may be a healthy male adult, but are you embarrassed to take off your shirt at the pool, beach, or in the bedroom? Everyone wants to feel comfortable in their skin, and men are no different. But if you don't feel pleased with how your chest looks, you may have gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is an enlargement or swelling of breast tissue in males, usually caused by a hormonal imbalance. Although there are no significant health risks, gynecomastia surgery can help. Read on to learn more about what signs may indicate you have this medical condition from renowned board-certified and fellowship-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph Tamburrino of Tamburrino Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Doylestown, PA.

How to know if you have gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is an embarrassing and unsightly condition for men. A swelling of glandular tissue underneath the skin can cause the development of feminine-looking breasts or "man-boobs." Numerous factors can contribute to this condition, like drug use, inadequate nutrition, genetics, and even medications for medical conditions, like high blood pressure. However, in most cases, this condition results from a hormonal imbalance, so gynecomastia during puberty in males is quite common. Males produce a small amount of estrogen, and females have a small amount of testosterone. When male estrogen levels are higher than their testosterone levels, it can cause this medical condition. Other signs to look for are:

• Breast tenderness
• Swollen breast tissue
• Nipple discharge in one or both breasts

Can gynecomastia surgery help?

To rule out any other concerns and determine if a male patient has gynecomastia, seeking medical advice is critical. In most cases, men in Doylestown, PA will need a male breast reduction to remove enlarged breasts. After a thorough examination with Dr. Tamburrino, what surgical steps may be required to help with this embarrassing issue can be determined. In less severe gynecomastia cases, Dr. Tamburrino may decide it is only necessary to use liposuction to remove small pockets of unwanted fat and tissue and recontour the chest area. In more severe cases, a surgical procedure may be required to reduce the size of the breast. As long as male candidates are healthy, non-drug users, nonsmokers, and have realistic expectations, male breast reduction surgery can be a highly effective procedure toward restoring a man's confidence and helping him feel better about how he looks.

What can I expect during male breast reduction recovery?

Male patients get almost immediate results with this cosmetic procedure, and once the postoperative swelling starts to dissipate by the second week, they can begin enjoying their more masculine look. This same-day surgery is relatively straightforward and has a high success rate with little postoperative pain. Most patients can typically return to work in a week and regular activities within a few weeks once cleared by Dr. Tamburrino. As long as male patients maintain their ideal body weight and no steroid or hormone use after surgery, male breast reduction surgery can provide long-term results.

Learn more about gynecomastia surgery

It is often a misconception that male enlarged breasts are an issue of being overweight. While it can be a contributing factor, there are additional reasons why some men suffer from this condition. To determine gynecomastia surgery's benefits in Doylestown, PA, reach out to Tamburrino Plastic Surgery & Med Spa. Dr. Tamburrino and our team understand how important it is for men to feel confident and comfortable with how they look. If you're interested in male breast reduction surgery, schedule a consultation by contacting our office today.