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 percent of men. It may affect only one breast or both.
Men who suffer from it 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. One grateful patient confessed that the reason he had never learned to swim was because he did not want anyone to see him with his shirt off.
For a male breast reduction, Dr. Reath uses liposuction to remove fat and or glandular tissue from the breasts, and in extreme cases excess skin is also removed, resulting in a chest that is flatter, firmer, and better contoured. Most of our male breast reduction patients, who come to our practice from the Knoxville area, Johnson City, Cookeville, Cleveland, and beyond, tell us they wish they had not waited so long to get it done.
Dr. Reath explains a bit more about the procedure in the video below.
Here are some of Dr. Reath’s male chest reduction patients
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Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
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Before & 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-changing".
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Before & After Male Breast Reduction: 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 male breast reduction for gynecomastia and he is pictured before and six months after his procedure.
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Before & After Male Breast Reduction: This high-school senior had been self-conscious about his enlarged breasts for four long years when he came to our office. Dr. Reath used ultrasound assisted liposuction to remove the fatty tissue surrounding his breasts and he is relieved and happy with his new chest.
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Before & After: Here is a patient of Dr. Reath's who had issues with enlarged breasts 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 his results and his quality of life since his surgery. He is happy wearing normal t-shirts and enjoying his kids.
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Before & 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 surgery.
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Before & After: This patient is a teenaged male who was troubled by breast development on his chest. This created problems for him in terms of dealing with his classmates. Dr. Reath performed a male breast reduction using liposuction to treat this area. The patient is happy and feels the results have improved his overall confidence.
Age Requirement for 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 is a good idea.
David B. Reath, MD
Board-certified plastic surgeon 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.
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, please feel free to print this out and he 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.
