Gynecomastia surgery removes excess glandular tissue, fat, and sometimes loose skin to create a flatter, more proportional chest contour. Men may consider the procedure when chest fullness remains after their weight has stabilized or after an underlying medical cause has been evaluated.
At Bella Cosmetic Surgery in National Harbor, Maryland, Dr. Michael Chiaramonte performs male breast reduction for men from Maryland, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia. Dr. Chiaramonte is a board-certified plastic surgeon and fellowship-trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon with more than 20 years of experience.
What Is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is an increase in male breast gland tissue. It differs from pseudogynecomastia, which is chest fullness caused mainly by excess fat. Diet and exercise may reduce fat, but they cannot remove firm glandular tissue.
Hormonal changes during puberty or aging can contribute to gynecomastia. It may also be linked to certain medications, anabolic steroids, alcohol or drug use, and some medical conditions. Seek medical care for concerns such as a firm lump, nipple discharge, skin dimpling, or new pain or swelling.
How Does Gynecomastia Surgery Work?
Dr. Chiaramonte selects the surgical method after evaluating the amount and type of tissue, skin elasticity, nipple position, and any differences between the two sides of the chest.
Liposuction may be used when excess fat is the primary concern. Firm glandular tissue usually requires direct excision through an incision near the areola or another discreet location. Some men benefit from a combination of liposuction and tissue excision. Loose skin may also be removed in more advanced cases.
Surgical procedures are performed at Harbor Surgery Center, Bella Cosmetic Surgery’s Medicare-certified ambulatory surgery center in National Harbor. Your anesthesia plan, incision placement, and expected results will be reviewed before surgery.
What Is Recovery Like?
You can expect some swelling, bruising, soreness, and tightness during the first stage of recovery. Dr. Chiaramonte may recommend a compression garment to help manage swelling and support your chest as it heals.
Light walking is usually encouraged soon after surgery, but you’ll need to avoid heavy lifting, chest workouts, and other strenuous activity until Dr. Chiaramonte says it’s safe. Many men return to work and regular daily activities within one to two weeks, depending on the procedure and how physically demanding their job is.
Your chest will continue to improve as the swelling goes down. It may take three to six months for the tissues to fully settle and for your final results to become visible.
How Long Do the Results Last?
Removed fat and glandular tissue do not typically grow back, although chest fullness can return due to weight gain, medications, steroid use, or hormonal changes. However, weight gain, anabolic steroid use, certain medications, or hormonal changes may cause the chest to become fuller again.
Scars are permanent but often fade over time. You can view Bella Cosmetic Surgery’s male breast reduction before-and-after gallery to see examples involving different treatment needs. Individual results vary.
Discuss Male Breast Reduction in National Harbor, MD
Dr. Michael Chiaramonte and the Bella Cosmetic Surgery team can evaluate your chest and explain whether liposuction, tissue excision, or a combination may be appropriate.
Contact our National Harbor, MD, office or call 301-567-6767 to discuss gynecomastia surgery.
