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Schedule A ConsultationGynecomastia is a more common condition than people realize, but there are many misconceptions regarding both the condition and treatment. Over the past 10 years gynecomastia has steadily received wider attention from plastic surgeons resulting in more information available to those suffering with the condition. Some of the information can be conflicting leading to confusion about what is true or false.
Gynecomastia is a relatively common condition in which men experience unwanted breast enlargement. True gynecomastia is caused by excess breast tissue or glandular tissue, which can develop for a number of reasons including hormonal imbalance, side effects from drugs, or hereditary factors. Some men may also face excess fat or loose skin in the chest area; this can accompany excess breast or glandular tissue.
You may hear that gynecomastia will subside without treatment. This misconception is often because teenage boys can experience gynecomastia during puberty which subsides within about two years. However, gynecomastia that persists longer than that will not go away on its own. In rare cases, gynecomastia can be a symptom of a larger issue such as testicular failure or a pituitary gland disorder, so it is important to see a doctor. When the condition is not caused by an underlying health concern, reducing the appearance of excess breast tissue is generally only possible with surgical intervention.
The myth of diet and exercise resolving gynecomastia is due to the misconception that true gynecomastia and excess fat in the chest are the same condition and can be treated as such. Patients who are simply overweight may be able to achieve a more attractive chest through a healthy diet and exercise alone. Those with true gynecomastia, however, will still have excess breast or glandular tissue regardless of how much weight they lose. In fact, men with true gynecomastia become increasingly frustrated with their chest after working so hard to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen to see no improvement. They often complain that their chest looks worse. This is usually because they are so fit that it draws more attention to their condition.
Gynecomastia surgery permanently reduces excess glandular or breast tissue, contouring the chest for a masculine appearance. This is achieved through various surgical techniques to remove excess tissue, which can include liposuction to remove fat or removal of excess skin. Dr. Cruise utilizes various gynecomastia surgery techniques tailored to the four categories of gynecomastia: classic gynecomastia, fatty gynecomastia, puffy nipples, or saggy gynecomastia. During a consultation, he will explain which surgical techniques will be most beneficial to achieve the permanent results you are looking for.
It is very rare that the gynecomastia consists of fatty tissue alone. The primary condition causing gynecomastia is excess glandular tissue which can only be removed by excision. Liposuction is only useful when there is the addition of fatty tissue surrounding the chest. This can be done in addition to the breast tissue excision but not as a stand-alone to correct the true underlying problem.
Many plastic surgeons may offer gynecomastia surgery, but few specialize in the procedure or understand the complexities of the surgery, the many types of gynecomastia, and the best techniques. When choosing a gynecomastia surgeon, you should first make sure that they are board-certified in plastic surgery. They should also specialize in male breast reduction surgery. There are only about five such specialists in the United States, including Dr. Cruise. A leader in gynecomastia surgery, Dr. Cruise has performed more than 4,000 surgeries to date.
To learn more about gynecomastia surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Cruise either in their Newport Beach office or virtually. Call 949-644-4808 or contact us online.
Dr. Joseph Cruise is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience. Regarded as one of the top gynecomastia surgeons in the world, Dr. Cruise has gynecomastia-specific content that can be found at lagynecomastia.org. Dr. Cruise has dedicated his career to cosmetic surgery but has also had extensive training in General Surgery, Hand Surgery, and Microvascular Surgery. Dr. Joseph Cruise is also a member of the Rhinoplasty Society as well as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
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