Gynecomastia is a term used to describe the appearance of enlarged male breasts. The breasts may have a feminine appearance, puffy nipples, sagging skin, and/or excess fatty tissue. There is a variety of factors that can cause gynecomastia, including hormonal changes, aging, drug use, and weight gain or there may be no known cause. Gynecomastia can cause a range of negative physical effects, as well as, emotional discomfort and embarrassment.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Schlechter regularly treats gynecomastia for males of all ages at his Pennsylvania practice with a cosmetic procedure known as gynecomastia surgery.
Gynecomastia surgery permanently removes excess fat and breast tissue from the breast area to improve the contours of the chest. This procedure results in a chest that is noticeably more defined, firm, and attractive.
In most cases, the cause for gynecomastia is not known. Obesity, hormonal changes, use of steroids, heredity, and certain medications can be attributed to increased breast size in men.
Gynecomastia is a fairly common condition that affects about 10 percent of all males.
During your consultation, Dr. Schlechter will accurately determine whether you have gynecomastia.
Although gynecomastia surgery can be performed on males of all ages and body types, patients best suited for this procedure are in good overall health and have already gone through puberty.
Dr. Schlechter is often able to tell simply from examination if the excision method will be required, with or without the liposuction. During your complimentary consultation, you and Dr. Schlechter will discuss which option is best for you.
One or a combination of techniques can be used to correct gynecomastia. If the enlarged breasts are primarily due to excess fat tissue, liposuction alone can be used. If the patient also has excess skin, the fat will be removed with liposuction and the excess skin will be excised. Use of the Smartlipo laser helps to remove the unwanted fat and can provide some skin tightening.
If liposuction is the only technique needed to correct gynecomastia, the scars will be very small and inconspicuous once the incisions heal. If skin excision is necessary, the incisions will be placed along the natural contours of the chest so the resulting scars will be virtually undetectable. Almost always the procedure can be performed through tiny liposuction incisions and if needed through a small incision placed at the junction of the areola and the skin to help camouflage the incision.
The cost of your gynecomastia surgery will depend on your specific anatomy and procedure. Please see our Plastic Surgery Procedure Pricing Guide for more information.
Since gynecomastia surgery is considered an elective procedure, insurance companies usually do not cover the cost of the procedure.
Dr. Schlechter is the consummate professional with a wonderful, caring staff. – MM
Wish I found him sooner. – VS
Benjamin Schlechter M.D.
2603 Keiser Blvd Suite 207
Wyomissing PA 19610
(610) 678-9200
