What is Gynecomastia?

Submitted by: Tammy Atkins-Consultant

Studies have shown that 60% of males are born with some form of Gynecomastia. “What is it”? It is defined as “visible or palpable breast tissue in men or boys”, of that 60% of most men will generally grow out of it. But, what if they don’t? What does that mean to men who don’t grow out of it?

Young men reaching their adolescence are not being able to live a normal social life because embarrassment of showing their over protruding breasts in the locker room, shying away from intimate relationships or dreading summer because of invites for pool parties or beach barbeques, is much worse living in beautiful San Diego, where it’s not dreading just summer, but the warm weather we are so fortunate to enjoy all year long! It means simply, unable to wear t-shirts, muscle shirts and tank- tops, because the material is too thin or cut too close to the breast, causing an emphasis on the area they don’t want to attract attention. What about men who are past their teen years’s, into their adult years and are still battling with lack of breast confidence?

Gynecomastia is not physically harmful, but in some cases can be an indicator of other more serious underlying conditions, such as testicular cancer. Growing glandular tissue, typically from some form of hormonal stimulation, is often tender or painful. Furthermore, it can frequently present social and psychological difficulties for the sufferer. Weight loss can alter the condition in cases where it is triggered by obesity, but losing weight will not reduce the glandular component and patients cannot target areas for weight loss. Massive weight loss can result in sagging tissues about the chest, chest ptosis. The size and geometry of the fibro-glandular tissue present is unique to each patient. This results in a range of physically apparent aesthetic deformities, for which, classification systems have been devised.

Seinfeld joked about creating “the bro” a ridiculous bra for overweight men, however Gynecomastia does not just affect men with  high BMI’s ( Body Mass Index), in their 30′s, but who are extremely physically fit.

“It occurred to me not long ago that I have been indirectly affected by Gynecomastia, as I dated someone who had all the symptoms. He was by all measures, a very hot guy, 6 ft 2, big blue eyes, olive skin and full lips, but he also had the protruding nipples, and the over abundant sag of his male breast over his perfectly chiseled body and  I couldn’t help and think to myself. He has, “man boobs!” The street names are endless; Man Boobs, Moobs, Manmaries, Man-Teets and Breast Chesticles.

“See! Any age, any ethnicity, any physique, Gynecomastia doesn’t discriminate”.

“Understand this, he was an avid steroid user in his teens and by using, they can be a contributing factor into the abnormal growth of the male breast tissue. As you go off the drug, your testosterone levels fluctuate and your estrogen temporarily increases causing the chest fat to develop. Hormonally induced “Man Boobs” are the most stubborn too, so stay away from steroids”.

A simple procedure that we do in our office almost every day, the fatty nodule is removed through the axilla or “arm pit” along with the excess fat, not through the nipple. Some doctors go through the nipple and leave a very invasive scar that is noticeable. New Image Cosmetic Surgery performs with a tiny incision, half the size of a grain of rice, which leaves a nearly invisible mark under the axilla. This allows the nipple to lay flatter against the chest, allowing only a couple of downtime days, if that. A compression garment is worn for 2 weeks and the patient is free to return to normal workouts in about 3-4 weeks.


The male patient is able to return to tighter t-shirts, although we hope not Simon Cowell tight, Beach BBQ’s, summer pool parties, locker room confidence, body confidence and just plain… CONFIDENCE. Well just to live and enjoy beautiful San Diego or where ever you call “home”.

Bottom line is this; if your male breast are not becoming to you, then you should, “Be coming to us”!

Click here to see before and after pictures of male breast reduction for Gynecomastia.

To learn more about this or one of the other body contouring procedures we offer our San Diego cosmetic surgery patients, contact New Image Cosmetic Surgery in Coronado, CA. For more information, call 1-800-810-1580 or visit www.sandiegolipo.com