For this reason, male breast reduction is one of the most popular plastic surgery procedures requested by men. If you have excessive male breast tissue, you are not alone. This is a common condition called gynecomastia, and it affects approximately 40-60% of American men. It’s normal to feel embarrassed by this condition, especially in situations where you would typically be shirtless, such as with a romantic partner, at the gym, or by the beach. If you would like to eliminate the self-consciousness associated with gynecomastia,
Dr. Richard H. Lee can help.

What Is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a condition that results in the development of enlarged male breast tissue. It commonly develops during puberty, and it often resolves on its own as you go through adolescence and enter adulthood. However, for some men, gynecomastia will persist into adulthood.

What Causes Gynecomastia?

There are many potential causes of gynecomastia, including:

  • Hormonal imbalance (excess estrogen production or lack of testosterone production)
  • Anabolic steroid use
  • Dietary supplements
  • Obesity
  • Consumption of certain prescription medications
  • Drug use, particularly heroin or marijuana
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Kidney failure
  • Liver disease
  • Graves’ disease
  • Estrogen-producing tumors

Many men with gynecomastia struggle to achieve a more masculine physique through diet and exercise alone. If you have put in the hard work through your fitness efforts to improve the appearance of your chest area and still have excessive breast tissue, plastic surgery may be an ideal solution to address the condition.

Why Choose Dr. Lee?

Dr. Richard H. Lee is a board-certified plastic surgeon who understands what a sensitive issue gynecomastia can be for men. He is committed to providing you with compassionate care, and he has the skills and experience to deliver the beautiful, natural-looking results you deserve.

You can find out whether you are a candidate for male breast reduction surgery and receive individualized treatment recommendations by speaking with Dr. Lee in person. Please call our office today to schedule your consultation. We serve patients in Newport Beach, Irvine, and Orange County, California.

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Before & After Gallery

View our before and after gallery to see the results achieved by Dr. Lee with male breast reduction surgery.

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Can Male Breasts Go Away Naturally?

Gynecomastia often self-corrects in adolescent males. In older males, it may prove harder to treat naturally.

Eating a healthy and well-balanced diet, avoiding processed and sugary foods, and performing cardiovascular and weight strengthening exercises several times a week may naturally reduce the appearance of male breasts. These methods should be attempted before choosing surgery. When diet and exercise fail to produce the results you desire, male breast reduction surgery becomes the best option.

Male Breast Reduction Candidates

The best way to truly determine if gynecomastia surgery is right for you is to speak with Dr. Lee in person. During your consultation, he will listen carefully to your goals and evaluate the condition of your breasts to recommend the ideal treatment plan for your unique needs.

Am I a Candidate for Male Breast Reduction Surgery?

Most healthy men who experience gynecomastia are good candidates for male breast reduction surgery. In addition, ideal candidates:

  • Are in good overall health
  • Have realistic expectations for the outcome of their procedure
  • Have good skin elasticity
  • Maintain an average, healthy weight for their body type
  • Don’t smoke or are willing to quit before surgery and throughout the recovery

Other Factors for Candidacy

If you are overweight, Dr. Lee may recommend changing your diet and exercise regimen to achieve your target weight before you consider surgery. Often, this may help improve the condition.

You should also consult your doctor to make sure your condition is not being caused by the use of certain medications or one of the health conditions discussed above. In these situations, treating the health condition or discontinuing the use of certain medications may eliminate gynecomastia without the need for surgery.

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How Should I Prepare For Gynecomastia Surgery?

In the weeks leading up to your procedure, we will work closely with you to help you prepare for your gynecomastia surgery. This may include stopping certain medications and supplements, avoiding nicotine, and making preparations for your recovery.

We will take time to answer any questions you have and provide individualized guidance to help you prepare for your procedure while working to ensure the most pleasing experience.

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Your Male Breast Reduction Procedure

Your gynecomastia surgery will be performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Depending on your unique situation, Dr. Lee may recommend one of the following male breast reduction techniques:

Liposuction

If you have good skin tone and your condition mainly consists of excess fat, Dr. Lee can perform liposuction to remove the excess fat cells and restore a more masculine breast appearance.

Excision

If excess skin or thick glandular tissue is present, Dr. Lee may cut the tissue away. Excision is most commonly performed through the nipple or under the breast.

Combined approach

If you experience excess fat and thick glandular tissue, Dr. Lee can address both of these issues by using a technique that combines the liposuction and excision methods.

Recovery After Gynecomastia Surgery

It is common to experience mild bruising and swelling after male breast reduction surgery. Dr. Lee will give you an elastic pressure garment to wear that will help reduce this swelling. In most cases, swelling should subside after about two weeks. You may also experience some mild discomfort for a few days. This will subside as you begin to heal, and it can be managed with prescription pain medication.

Dr. Lee recommends that you begin walking around as soon as you feel up to it to facilitate blood flow and reduce the risk of clotting. You can generally resume most normal activities, including returning to work after your first week of recovery. However, it’s important that you avoid exercise and other strenuous activities for about one month. Dr. Lee will closely monitor your recovery, and he’ll advise you as to when it is safe to start exercising again.

Male Breast Reduction FAQ

Will there be any scarring after my male breast reduction surgery?

Will the results of my gynecomastia surgery look natural?

Are the results of gynecomastia surgery permanent?

Will there be any scarring after my male breast reduction surgery?

Small incisions are needed to remove fat and tissue during gynecomastia surgery. When cared for properly, these should fade and become all but unnoticeable over time. You can help to reduce the risk of visible scars by avoiding tobacco products and blood thinners leading up to and in the weeks after your procedure. Following directions, such as keeping incisions dry and clean during your recovery period, will also help reduce your risks.

Will the results of my gynecomastia surgery look natural?

Male breast reduction surgery eliminates excess fat and glandular tissue to reveal underlying musculature. The procedure restores a naturally masculine and defined appearance to the chest. With male breast reduction, what is exposed is your own body, allowing results to appear unenhanced.

Are the results of gynecomastia surgery permanent?

Male breast reduction surgery permanently removes fat and tissue from the chest. However, future weight gain, hormone fluctuations, steroid use, and other lifestyle choices may allow the condition to reoccur. Following gynecomastia correction surgery, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle to help maintain results.

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Contact Dr. Lee for Gynecomastia in Newport Beach

If you are interested in male breast reduction surgery, please contact Dr. Richard H. Lee to schedule a consultation. We serve patients in Newport Beach, Irvine, Santa Ana, Orange County, and the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

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