Men who suffer from gynecomastia tell us that it has a major impact on their confidence and lifestyle. It is a factor in the clothes they wear and even in the activities they choose. Dr. Reath and Dr. Walker perform male breast reduction, also called gynecomastia surgery, to help men have masculine chest contours and restore their confidence. One grateful patient confessed that the reason he had never learned to swim was that he did not want anyone to see him with his shirt off. Most of our male breast reduction patients, who come to our practice from the Knoxville area, Johnson City, Cookeville, and Cleveland, TN, as well as London, KY, and beyond, tell us they wish they had not waited so long to get it done.
What is gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia, or enlargement of the male breast area, is a condition that is rarely talked about, though it’s actually quite common. Surprisingly, it affects an estimated 40 to 60% of men. It may affect only one breast or both.
While there are some factors that can contribute to this, such as anabolic steroid use, excessive marijuana use, and certain prescription drugs, the majority of cases happen with no apparent underlying cause. If this affects you it’s no laughing matter. It’s for real and a real problem.
How much does gynecomastia surgery cost in Knoxville, TN?
The cost of surgery with Dr. Reath or Dr. Walker includes both surgical and anesthesia fees, our exclusive recovery kit and all follow-up visits.
Cash Discount:
Good news! For our patients who would like to pay with cash or check we offer a 5% discount.
Price
Cash Price
Correction of Gynecomastia
$5,986
$5,687
Not our patient? No problem. Visit our online store for the gynecomastia recovery products our surgeons recommend.
Who does gynecomastia affect?
For most individuals, gynecomastia begins in the teen years when an adolescent male goes through puberty. The amount of enlargement can increase with weight gain, but generally, the size of the breast mass is unaffected by weight reduction or level of fitness. It’s just always there. For some, the enlargement can be very little with just some fullness under the nipple-areolar complex. In others, it can look like a fully formed female breast. For the unluckiest, there can be full breast development, as well as sagging of the breast tissue and skin.
Recent studies have shown the intensely negative psychological effect this condition can have in young men on both their self-esteem and sexual identity. The adolescent passage is hard enough without this added burden. It’s not just developing males that struggle with gynecomastia– it’s adults as well.
Gynecomastia treatment options
As difficult as this condition is, the good news is that we have some very effective treatments for it. Most involve surgery, and what is done depends upon the type of breast development that a man has. In normal breast tissue, there is a combination of both fat and denser breast tissue. In some, there is also skin looseness that must be addressed.
Liposuction alone is quite effective if the only issue is fatty tissue.
Surgical excision is needed in most cases because the majority of men also have some denser breast tissue that cannot be removed with liposuction. Our surgeons can usually remove this tissue with a small incision at the base of the areola, leaving a fairly well-concealed scar. For men who have excess, sagging skin that must be removed, there will be additional scars. Certainly, men with considerable hair growth can conceal these scars better.
Regardless of the technique needed, there are very few complaints about the scars given the degree of improvement that can be achieved with these surgeries.
Is male breast reduction surgery worth it?
Definitely. It’s wonderful to see the effect that correction of gynecomastia can have on the way men feel about themselves. Sometimes patients can be quite emotional as a huge burden they have carried all their lives is removed. It is very freeing, and in fact, life-changing for those with the most severe cases. Despite any scars, most men are extremely happy with the shape of their chests, the improvement in their self-esteem, and their newfound freedom in terms of lifestyle and activity.
Dr. Reath explains a bit more about the procedure in the video below.
Here are some of our gynecomastia patients
Correction of Gynecomastia (Male Chest Reduction) Before & After Photos
Before and After Treatment for Gynecomastia- He is 5’10” and weighs 192 pounds. Here is a 26-year-old who began breast development during puberty which continued into adulthood. Dr. Reath performed excision of gynecomastia surgery and he is pictured here 6 months later. He told us the surgery was literally “life-changi... Read More
He is 6'1" and weighs 210 pounds. Here is a 38-year-old man who wanted to get rid of the excess tissue in his chest that he had since puberty. It was still there regardless if he gained or lost weight. Dr. Reath performed a gynecomastia treatment and he is pictured six months after his surgery. Read More
Here is a patient of Dr. Reath's who had issues with gynecomastia since puberty regardless of his weight and fitness. He lost 40 pounds through diet and exercise. Still, he realized that his discomfort about his chest was interfering with activities he wanted to do with his children and the clothes he could wear. He is very pleased with h... Read More
Before and After Surgical Treatment of Gynecomastia- He is 6 feet tall and weighs 260 pounds. Here is a 20-year-old who was bothered by breast development that started during puberty and remained regardless of his weight and workouts. Dr. Reath performed a surgical excision of gynecomastia procedure and he is pictured before and six months af... Read More
Before and After Correction of Gynecomastia- He is 6’5” and weighs 257 pounds. He explained that he had always had fullness in his chest area ever since the fifth grade. Even when his weight changed this area refused to budge and he was very self-conscious about it. He is very pleased that he decided to have Dr. Reath perform this... Read More
The recovery process varies with the specifics of the surgery and individual factors. Here is a general recovery timeline:
Experience discomfort and swelling: 1 to 2 weeks
Wear compression wrap/garment: 3+ weeks
Return to non-strenuous work: 5 to 10 days
Return to active jobs that may include heavy lifting: 2 to 3 weeks
Sleep on your stomach (if desired): 4+ weeks
Resume exercise: 2 to 3 weeks for light lower body activities; 4+ weeks for upper body workouts
Scars: hidden along the edge of the areolas when possible and concealed by chest hair if present
How old do you need to be to have gynecomastia correction surgery?
Some of the patients who come to our office are teenagers who are troubled by the teasing of their classmates and want male breast reduction surgery. Because bodies develop quite differently, there is no set age requirement. One consideration is whether or not the chest area has stabilized and is not continuing to grow. This happens usually from age 15 to age 18. The other important consideration is the emotional maturity of the patient. If you have questions about whether you or your son is a candidate, a consultation with Dr. Reath or Dr. Walker is a good idea.
Dr. Reath & Dr. Walker
David B. Reath, MD is renowned for his surgical skills and his commitment to public education. Practicing in Knoxville, Tennessee since 1986, his personal approach with patients is what truly sets him apart. He is proud to welcome Jessica V. Walker, MD to the practice.
Read Dr. Reath’s blog about SNL’s McGruber Skit “Betty White Got It Wrong”.
Betty White got it wrong.
If you haven’t seen Saturday Night Live’s show from last weekend, you need to. This was a very funny show, as only SNL can do, that was hosted by Betty White. Her appearance on the Mother’s Day show was in response to a facebook campaign to have SNL invite her on as a host. She is … Read more »
In this podcast, listeners will hear an ASPS member surgeon discussing the causes of gynecomastia and courses of treatment, as well as his patient, Matthew, describing how he coped with his condition before surgery and his post-surgical outlook on life.
So you can be better prepared for your consultation, we have prepared a list of important plastic surgery questions you will want to ask your doctor before you have your surgery. If your consultation is with Dr. Reath or Dr. Walker, please feel free to print this out and they will be happy to go over everything with you during your visit. Top Ten Questions to Ask your Plastic Surgeon
Even though the majority of cosmetic surgery patients are pleased with their results, the decision to have a procedure is a big one. It is normal to have questions, and it’s important to answer them honestly. In the end, you want to be completely comfortable with your decision. So, are you clear about your motivations for surgery? Are your expectations realistic? Test yourself by answering these important questions.How to Know if You Are Ready for Plastic Surgery.
Gynecomastia, or enlargement of the male breast area, is a condition that is rarely talked about, though it’s actually quite common. Surprisingly, it affects an estimated 40 to 60% of men. It may affect only one breast or both.
