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How to Get Rid of “Man Boobs”

The condition of having enlarged male breasts is known as gynecomastia. Though not uncommon, excess breast tissue in men can cause discomfort and embarrassment.

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the amount of tissue, so you can have a flatter, firmer, more masculine chest. In some cases, targeted exercise and weight loss can eliminate the unwanted tissue. In other cases, male breast reduction surgery may be necessary to achieve your desired results.

To find out your options, schedule a consultation with one of the board-certified plastic surgeons at UCI Plastic Surgery. In this consultation, our surgeon will discuss your medical history, do an exam, and learn your goals for treatment. With this information, the doctor can determine if a male breast reduction procedure is the best solution for your concerns.

Why do I have Man Boobs?

There are several reasons that you may have excess breast tissue. Some potential causes include:

  • Age-related hormone changes, including puberty
  • Being overweight
  • Certain medical conditions
  • Various medications

Male Breast Reduction

Enlarged male breasts can be a glandular or fat issue. Depending on the cause of your excess breast tissue, you may or may not need surgical intervention. The natural normalization of fluctuating hormones can resolve many cases of puberty-related male breast enlargement, for example.

Addressing the cause of your enlarged breasts may be a solution, as well. When gynecomastia is the result of a medication, illness, or certain hormonal changes, you may need to talk with your doctor about alternative medication options, options for balancing hormones, and other methods of eliminating the cause of your condition.

Sometimes, the only way to get rid of excess breast tissue is through a male breast reduction procedure. Diet and exercise may work to reduce fatty tissue in the breast area. However, sometimes fat is resistant to these interventions, and surgery may be necessary. Further, diet and exercise will not affect excess glandular tissue, which may need to be removed surgically as well.

How does a Male Breast Reduction Work?

The first step is to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons to find out if you are a good candidate. If you are, you and the doctor will discuss your options for incision placement and surgical techniques for flattening your chest. The procedure may involve liposuction, excision, or a combination:

  • Liposuction – This surgical fat removal technique requires a small incision so our surgeon can insert a thin tube called a cannula, through which fatty tissue will be removed.
  • Excision – If it is necessary to remove glandular tissue to attain your desired results, our surgeon will use a scalpel to excise the excess tissue.
  • Skin tightening – If you have considerable skin laxity in the breast area, our surgeon can remove extra skin to create a more aesthetic chest.

Schedule a Male Breast Reduction Consultation in Costa Mesa

If you are ready to explore options for addressing excess breast tissue, schedule a consultation at one of our three locations in Southern California. For our Tustin or Orange locations, call 714-456-3077. For our Costa Mesa office, call 949-999-2411.