If you feel like your chest area isn’t as tight and toned as it should be, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, 30% of men will deal with the dreaded issue of man boobs at some point in their lifetime. The good news is that this “dreaded” issue does have some legitimate and effective treatments that you may want to consider.
What Are Man Boobs and What Causes Them?
One medical term for man boobs is gynecomastia, which refers to the enlargement of breast tissue in men. Yes, men also have breast tissue, but most of the time, this tissue is minimal thanks to testosterone. Gynecomastia is usually caused by hormonal issues like excess estrogen or insulin resistance that can be hard to diagnose and address.
On the other hand, man boobs may also be the result of excess fat on the chest area. Some men are particularly predisposed to this issue thanks to genetic factors. No matter the cause of your man boobs, there are things you can do to get rid of them and get your confidence back.
How To Get Rid of Man Boobs Without Surgery
While a breast reduction surgery is certainly an effective way to get rid of man boobs, it should be more of a last resort. Before you consider surgery, you should try addressing your diet, exercise habits, and medications.
1. Diet
The first step you need to take is to change your diet. Start by eliminating unhealthy foods from your diet. Specifically, get rid of food items that are high in calories and carbs but low in nutritional value — for example, soda, candy, salty snacks, etc. From there, add in healthy whole foods jam-packed with vitamins and minerals like fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs, meats, etc. Finally, make sure that you’re drinking enough water to sufficiently power your body.
2. Exercise
The second step you need to take is to get enough exercise. While general cardio exercises may be beneficial, you may also want to try exercises that specifically target your chest area to build muscle and get rid of excess fat. Popular and effective chest exercises include the barbell bench press and the pec deck machine.
3. Medications
The third step you need to take is to carefully examine your medications. Some medications may cause gynecomastia as a side effect. Specifically, medications like antibiotics, anti-anxiety medications, steroids, antidepressants, ulcer medications, and cancer treatments are common culprits.
Before you stop any of your medications cold turkey, be sure to first discuss your concerns with your doctor to come up with appropriate alternatives.
Different Surgical Methods That Get Rid of Man Boobs
If you’ve tried adjusting your diet, exercise, and medications to no avail, then you may be considering the surgical route. There are a few different surgical methods that can get rid of man boobs:
1. Liposuction
Liposuction is a minimally invasive plastic surgery that is able to effectively suck out excess fat from the breast area. Two small incisions are made under each breast and a small cannula is inserted to suck out the excess fat. This is the best treatment option for those with a relatively small amount of fat in the chest area.
2. Glandular Tissue Removal
If the appearance of man boobs is being caused by glandular tissue rather than excess fat, then a glandular tissue removal surgery may be necessary. Unfortunately, glandular tissue is too big to be removed via liposuction. In this procedure, two small incisions will be made beneath each areola through which the glandular tissue will be removed.
3. Excess Skin Removal
If the appearance of man boobs is being caused by excess skin rather than fat or tissue, then a skin removal procedure may be necessary. Excess skin in the breast area commonly occurs after significant weight loss. Instead of being insecure about your body despite all your hard work, a plastic surgeon can help you address these concerns through a few different surgical methods.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Breast Reduction Surgery?
Although surgery may seem like a quick fix to get rid of man boobs, not everyone is a good candidate. In order to be a good candidate for male breast reduction surgery, you should be past puberty and at a stable weight. If you’re looking to lose weight, you should do this before your procedure and work to maintain a weight within 10 to 15 pounds of that weight after your procedure for the best results.
What Does the Breast Reduction Recovery Process Entail?
The recovery process from your breast reduction largely depends on what was actually done during the procedure since some are more involved than others. Even though these procedures are considered minimally invasive, they are still legitimate surgical procedures that require a careful recovery process.
Always be sure to follow the instructions of your doctor in terms of wearing compression garments, taking care of your incisions, avoiding strenuous exercise, and taking any prescribed medications. You may experience mild discomfort and swelling after your procedure. All in all, your recovery process should take about six weeks to get completely back to normal.
How To Get the Best Results From a Breast Reduction
If you’re looking to get the best results from your breast reduction procedure, then you need the best of the best surgeons. Look for a board-certified plastic surgeon that has experience in this specific area.
Dr. Applebaum has nearly 30 years of plastic surgery experience in Beverly Hills. He prioritizes patient care, trust, and satisfaction to achieve dream results for his patients.
Final Thoughts on Breast Reduction for Men
In order to take the next step towards getting your confidence back with a more sculpted and manly chest, reach out to our Beverly Hills office for an in-person of virtual consultation.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Robert Applebaum
Dr. Robert Applebaum is a world renowned and highly respected Plastic Surgeon who is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. In his nearly 30 years as a practicing physician, Dr. Applebaum has become known as an innovator in the field of laser technology techniques for plastic surgery procedures. He has published numerous articles and scientific papers about the use of laser technology and educates physicians worldwide on the applications of laser technology for plastic surgery. Dr. Applebaum primarily practices out of his private outpatient surgery center, Four Thirty Six Aesthetic Surgery Center, which is located in Beverly Hills.
Sources:
Enlarged Male Breasts (Gynecomastia) | Cleveland Clinic