Gynecomastia, or excess development of breast tissue, occurs in as many as 40 - 60% of men. The cause is not always known, but the incidence increases with certain drugs (digitalis, anabolic steroids, Tagamet, and spironolactone), use of marijuana or alcohol, and obesity. This condition can cause extreme embarrassment, social inhibition and self-consciousness for boys and men who suffer from it If you think that you have this condition, you should consult with your physician to rule out a more serious condition such as liver or endocrine disease. If you are otherwise healthy, breast reduction surgery may significantly help your appearance and self-image. This procedure is used to remove fat and/or glandular tissue from the breasts. In extreme cases, skin is removed as well. The result is a flatter, firmer and more masculine-looking chest.

If you're considering male breast reduction, the following information will provide you with a good introduction to the procedure. For more detailed information about how this procedure may help you, we recommend that you consult a plastic surgeon who is board certified or has completed a residency program that includes instruction in this procedure.
 

This procedure can improve the appearance of the chest in cases where diet and exercise have failed. The results of the procedure are significant and permanent. Most men who have had surgery for gynecomastia have been very satisfied with the results.
 

During the consultation, you and your surgeon will discuss the changes that you would like to make in your appearance. Your surgeon will explain the different options available. He/she will discuss the procedure in detail, explain the risks and limitations, and explain the type of anesthesia that will be used.
The surgeon will then examine photographs of your chest for reference during surgery and afterwards. He/she may also require you to have a mammogram (breast x-ray).

Be sure to ask all the questions you have about the surgery, and ask to see photos of the doctor’s recent patients, before and after surgery. Also ask for, and follow up on, patient references. Learning everything you can about your options, risks and benefits is the key to making an informed decision. See Questions to ask your doctor below.
 

The type of procedure used by your surgeon will depend on the degree of breast enlargement. The options include removal of the tissue under the breast, or liposuction of the chest wall. In both instances, a small elliptical incision is made on the lower half of the nipple area (areola). For those men with tissue that is more glandular in nature, all breast tissue directly under the nipple is removed.
If the tissue is more fatty in nature, liposuction can provide excellent results. In some people, ultrasonic assisted liposuction is an excellent approach. During liposuction, a small suction rod (cannula) is inserted into the incision to remove fat and other tissue.

In some cases, a repeat procedure is necessary to remove tissue that was missed during the first procedure. In a few cases, if there is a large amount of extra skin, it may be necessary to remove this tissue, which may result in a large scar.
 

In general, the best candidates for breast reduction are:

Mature enough to fully understand the procedure
Experiencing embarrassment and/or social inhibition due to breast enlargement
Knowledgeable about the procedure
Having good skin elasticity
In good physical and psychological health
Wanting to improve their appearance and/or comfort
Realistic in their expectations
Willing to attempt diet and exercise as first options
Non-smokers or able to stop smoking during the healing process
Not using marijuana or anabolic steroids
Not heavy user of alcohol
The above is only a partial list of the criteria that your surgeon will consider in determining whether or not this procedure is appropriate for you. Be sure to ask your surgeon if he / she considers you an ideal candidate for this surgery.