Dr. James D. Namnoum | Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
Breast Procedures
Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction)
Gynecomastia is a condition that will affect many men at some point in their lifetime. Males aged between 12 to 14 years old, going through puberty, often experience some form of gynecomastia. This can lead to a lack of confidence during a period of profound physical change. Others experience enlarged breast tissue later in life, usually around the age of 50 or older.1 Regression of the gynecomastia can occur on it’s own, but if it persists beyond two years, treatment using male breast reduction, liposuction or a combination of the two, can help to restore confidence and give a more toned and masculine appearance. Male breast reduction is a surgical breast procedure that can be used to correct unilateral or bilateral swelling of the male breasts, giving a more firm appearance of the tissues under the areola.
Gynecomastia Treatment
Gynecomastia is divided into four separate categories, depending on the amount of extra breast tissue and skin present. In many cases, gynecomastia can be corrected through direct glandular resection of tissue, or liposuction. However, sometimes excess skin must be removed in order to correct the enlarged tissue. This is when a male breast reduction will be considered. If necessary, excess skin is removed using the latest techniques to create the least amount of scarring possible. Gynecomastia treatment specialist, Dr. James Namnoum, will determine the best procedure to correct gynecomastia during your initial consultation at our office.
Preparing for Gynecomastia Surgery
There are a variety of reasons that men consider undergoing surgery in order to treat gynecomastia. We often hear that a restoration of comfort, confidence and even wardrobe are driving factors. Whatever the reason, Dr. Namnoum and his team are here to help. During your consultation in our Atlanta-based office, our team will go over your medical history and long-term cosmetic goals for your physical appearance with you. Depending on which surgical procedure, or combined procedures, have been chosen to best suit your needs, Dr. Namnoum will create a surgical plan and schedule the surgery.
As with any surgical option, we understand that patients may have questions and concerns before making their final decision. We encourage you to come to your consultation with these questions and our team will be more than happy to answer them for you. Making sure patients are comfortable and confident in their choice to undergo any of our procedures is a top priority at our practice.
Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction) Surgery
Patients will be placed under general anesthesia before male breast reduction surgery begins. Dr. Namnoum will carefully place incisions around the areola to limit scarring and within the breasts to remove excess skin and tissue from the area. After removing, tightening and lifting the skin and tissue, sutures will be placed and closed to begin the healing process. Depending on the amount of skin and tissue needing to be removed, the position of the nipples may be lifted or replaced, as well.2
Recovery & Results
Patients are often quite pleased with the almost immediate change in appearance of their chest after surgery. As swelling goes down and healing progresses, the true new size and contour of the chest will be even clearer. In order to make sure the recovery process is going smoothly, follow-up appointments will be scheduled with our team.
Treatment of gynecomastia can lead to long-lasting results, as long as the patient is committed to maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle after surgery.
1 The Cleveland Clinic. Enlarged Male Breast Tissue (Gynecomastia). Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16227-enlarged-male-breast-tissue-gynecomastia. Accessed October 7, 2020.
2 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What are the steps of a breast reduction procedure? Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/reconstructive-procedures/breast-reduction/procedure. Accessed October 7, 2020.
