If we thought about it long enough, nearly every single person in the world could think of some part of their body that embarrassed them. But for some people, their embarrassing parts are more noticeable than others and this can lead to great self-consciousness and embarrassment. One such feature that plagues anywhere from 40 to 60 percent of men is Gynecomastia, or female-like breasts.

Gynecomastia is usually created by one of two things: excess breast tissue or excess glandular tissue. Some men can also experience it from excess fatty tissue and this is called pseudoGynecomastia. But regardless of what it is called, it can cause many men social and psychological shame.

Men who suffer from Gynecomastia can opt to have a Male Breast Reduction where excess tissue or gland is removed, giving their chest a flatter, more masculine appearance. Male Breast Reduction is a much simpler version than a female breast reduction and it is less expensive and requires less time to heal.

About Gynecomastia

So what causes Gynecomastia? Common causes include obesity, subtle hormonal or metabolic imbalances, and liver disease (which can cause hormonal imbalance). Some medicines and supplements can cause it as well, especially steroid abuse and street drugs.

As mentioned above, Gynecomastia can appear as excess breast or fatty tissue or as excess glandular tissue. The type of Gynecomastia may dictate the appropriate remedy: removal of excess tissue with liposuction, excision, or a combination of both.

About the Procedure

Liposuction. If the Gynecomastia is created from excess breast or fatty tissue, liposuction can be the preferred method of removal. The excess tissue is removed through an incision placed in the armpit or around the nipple.

Excision. If the Gynecomastia is created from excess glandular tissue, the tissue may need to be excised. An incision is made along the edge of the areola (the dark part of the nipple). The gland is then removed and the sutures are placed along the incision.

However, in most cases a combination of Liposuction and Excision are used, especially if there is excess of both fatty and glandular tissue. Dr. Volshteyn also uses a special reconstruction technique to preserve the shape and elevation of the nipple.

Risks and Complications

As with all surgical procedures, there is the possibility of some risks. While they don't happen often, some of the risks include excessive bleeding, bruising, hematoma, asymmetry and scarring. Following your physician's pre- and post-op instructions will help you heal and minimize any other complications.

A Time to Heal

Your healing time will depend on the procedure that you had done, but generally you should expect to take it extremely easy for a few days after a Male Breast Reduction. If your job does not require strenuous activity, you should be able to return to work within a week. You should be able to do more strenuous activities after about a month.

While you will be back to all of your normal activities in a month's time, it may take several months for your chest to assume it's new look. As your body heals it may swell and bruise or scars may appear darker. Give your body time to heal properly and in a few months time you will be able to see the results clearly.