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Believe it or not, approximately 40-60% of men have gynecomastia, or “man boobs.” Gynecomastia is a swelling of the male breast tissue. It is generally caused by an excessive concentration of estrogen in males, resulting in an imbalance between testosterone and estrogen in the body. This hormone imbalance may result from:

• Natural hormone changes
• Medication
• Health conditions

Some men experience gynecomastia during adolescence. These cases will generally go away on their own after puberty. However, it is also quite common for men to develop gynecomastia later in life, particularly after age 50. While man boobs do not pose a serious health risk, many men experience embarrassment as a result of this condition.

Treatment Options for Gynecomastia

Sometimes the condition can be remedied with medication. Drugs such as tamoxifen and raloxifene, which are commonly used to treat breast cancer, may be effective in treating some cases of gynecomastia as well.

Frequently, surgery will be required to correct the condition. There are two types of surgical procedures for treating gynecomastia:

• Male breast reduction
• Liposuction

If your male breasts are primarily made up of glandular tissue, your cosmetic surgeon will perform male breast reduction surgery. An incision is made either near the areola or under the arm. Your male breast surgeon will remove excess tissue with a scalpel.

If your breasts consist of fatty tissue, liposuction will be a more effective option. Your cosmetic surgeon will make an incision near the areola or under the arm and then break up and remove the excess fat with liposuction.

In cases where both fatty and glandular tissues are present, your surgeon may combine both procedures for maximum effectiveness.

Am I a Candidate for Male Breast Reduction?

Generally, you are a good candidate for male breast reduction if:

• You experience tenderness or pain in your breast tissue
• You experience considerable embarrassment over your condition

At your initial consultation, your male breast surgeon will review your medical history to make sure that you are in good overall health. Most doctors will not perform the surgery if you are not in good general health prior to the procedure.

If you live in the Beverly Hills, California area and are interested in male breast reduction, please contact the Los Angeles cosmetic surgeons at Bray Plastic Surgery Medical Center, Inc. today to schedule a consultation with Dr. David Bray.