Gynecomastia

Discover the impact having a more defined chest can on your life and confidence!

Stop hiding your chest under baggy clothing! Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jacob Bloom at Bloom Plastic Surgery in Chicago, IL can help you improve the appearance of your chest through male breast reduction surgery. Gynecomastia or male breast development affects an estimated 65% of the male population and can occur in one or both breasts. In male patients, breast tissue can be made up of glandular tissue, fatty tissue or a combination of both. Male breast development can happen to men of any age for a number of different reasons, including age, hormones ,medications, or other medical conditions. Thankfully there is a solution. Male breast reduction surgery involves the use of advanced, next-generation techniques to give you the defined, chiseled chest you have been trying to achieve in the gym!

Whether you have always thought your chest appeared too full in clothing or if you have noticed over time that your chest has changed appearance with weight loss, new medications (like for hair growth) or aging, male breast reduction surgery can offer you a natural masculine physique!*

Planning a Successful Gynecomastia Reduction Surgery

Male Breast reduction is a highly customizable procedure with a range of options tailored for your individual needs. While the number of options can seem, at times, overwhelming, Dr. Bloom and his staff will walk you through each step of the planning process. This will help to ensure that you understand all of the options, the benefits and risks of each one, and how each option will impact your final results, in order to ensure that your surgery results in the defined, masculine look you desire.

  • Tissue Type: Breast tissue can be made up of Glandular or Fatty Tissue, or a combination of both
    • Glandular tissue: Glandular tissue is usually first noticed in younger patients. It feels firm and rubbery and requires a direct excision. The incision is discreetly placed in the lower border of the nipple where it fades significantly.
    • Fatty Tissue: Fatty tissue is typically seen in older male patients but can happen in patients of any age. Depending on the skin laxity present, Liposuction can sometimes be used to achieve results through a small incision placed the armpit crease.
    • Combination of tissue: When patients have a combination of these two tissue types (as most men do) a direct excision and liposuction procedure is planned to create a uniform symmetrical look.
  • Skin: Procedures will need to be tailored to optimize cosmetic results depending on the amount of skin a patient has, the size of their male breast development and their skin quality. Younger patients with good tissue elasticity may only need the breast tissue removed, while older patients may require some skin removed as well to achieve the best results. For those patients with moderate tissue laxity, Dr. Bloom utilizes Radiofrequency energy to tighten the skin and soft tissue envelope decreasing the size of the incisions once needed to achieve these results.
  • Incision placement: Depending on the exact procedure performed incision placement will vary. Some combination of the following will likely be used and your specific male breast reduction incisions will be outlined in detail during your consultation. Options include: (1) Inframammary: under the breast, used when skin and tissue are needed to be removed; (2) Periareolar: around the lower half of the areola to remove glandular tissue; (3) Transaxillary: a small 2 mm incision can be made near the underarm for liposuction access.

The Male Breast Reduction Procedure and Recovery

Gynecomastia surgery usually lasts about 1-2 hours, and can be performed as an outpatient procedure under IV sedation or general anesthesia. After the procedure, the chest will be softly bandaged with a compression vest to prevent post-op fluid collection. In some larger cases, a drain will be used to remove swelling in the first few days after surgery. The most common side effects of a breast reduction are moderate discomfort and swelling. In addition to compression and activity restrictions, Dr. Bloom will prescribe pain medication to help alleviate discomfort. Most patients find they need about a week of downtime before returning to light activities; all patients should avoid strenuous activity for at least four to six weeks to allow all swelling to subside and ensure complete healing.

Why Choose Dr. Bloom?

Why select Chicago-native Dr. Jacob Bloom as your cosmetic surgeon? Because you shouldn’t trust something as important as your appearance to just anyone! When you choose Dr. Bloom, you are choosing a warm and caring surgeon whom you can trust to make your health, your comfort, and your beauty his number one priority!

Lead plastic surgeon at Bloom Plastic Surgery in Chicago, IL, Dr. Jacob Bloom is Board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. His extensive knowledge of today’s advanced surgical techniques, coupled with his years of medical training in New York and Harvard University, allow him to create customized treatment plans that can match the unique goals of each and every patient, while delivering long-lasting results that will subtly—yet still dramatically—enhance your natural beauty.

If you are interested in learning more about how to improve your chest appearance with Dr. Bloom, we encourage you to contact our office to schedule your consultation today. We look forward to hearing from you!