Gynecomastia
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Boston, MA
Gynecomastia is a condition characterized by the enlargement of male breast tissue. While there are various treatment options, the preferred avenue is typically surgical correction. It can result from various factors, including hormonal imbalances, obesity, certain medications, and underlying health conditions. Prevalence estimates range from 50% to 70% in adolescent boys and older men. (1)
Dr. Jeffrey Lee of JL Plastic Surgery is a double board-certified, Harvard-trained plastic surgeon dedicated to helping each of his patients feel more comfortable and confident in their skin. He is well-known for producing consistent, stunning results, and he cares deeply about patient experience and safety. Throughout his career, Dr. Lee has published numerous journal and book chapters on plastic surgery topics. He is also a sought-after public speaker and has delivered presentations at medical conferences in cities across the country.
To schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Lee, please submit our online contact form or call our office at (617) 340-2822.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia involves the benign enlargement of male breast tissue. This condition is associated with several factors, including obesity and hormonal imbalances between estrogen and androgen levels. (2) Gynecomastia treatment procedures have grown in popularity in recent years, with over 25,000 procedures performed in the country in 2023 alone. (3)
Benefits of Gynecomastia Treatment
There are many benefits to undergoing a gynecomastia treatment at JL Plastic Surgery. These benefits include the following:
- Improved Physical Appearance: The removal of excess breast tissue can help create a flatter, more masculine chest contour.
- Long-Lasting Results: Results are typically long-lasting, especially when patients maintain a stable weight and healthy lifestyle. (4)
- Enhanced Confidence: Many men report an improvement in their self-esteem and confidence after undergoing gynecomastia treatment.
- Alleviated Discomfort: Gynecomastia treatment can help alleviate discomfort or irritation associated with enlarged breasts. This can help improve one’s mobility while reducing feelings of self-consciousness or embarrassment.
To learn more about how you may benefit from gynecomastia treatment, please submit our online contact form or call our office at (617) 340-2822 and schedule a consultation with Dr. Lee.
Suitable Candidates
Candidates seeking gynecomastia treatment are typically men with enlarged breasts who are unable to alleviate their condition through other means. Patients should be able to maintain a stable weight since weight fluctuations can affect their results. We recommend that you adopt healthy lifestyle habits such as exercising regularly and eating nutritious meals.
All candidates interested in gynecomastia treatment should be in good overall health with realistic expectations regarding what they can accomplish with this procedure. Patients should also be non-smokers or prepared to cease their nicotine use until fully healed. Dr. Lee will determine each patient’s candidacy during their personal consultation.
Personal Consultation
A consultation with Dr. Lee is the first step in treating gynecomastia. This meeting is not only a chance for him to meet the patient and determine their candidacy, but also to recommend the best treatment methods for their needs. Dr. Lee will first ask the patient a series of questions about their medical history, current medications, ideal results, and concerns. Dr. Lee may also perform a medical examination to evaluate the patient’s physical anatomy.
From there, Dr. Lee will personalize the patient’s treatment plan and recommend the most effective treatment methods to help them achieve their goals. Pre- and post-operative instructions will also be provided, alongside a written quote. Patients are encouraged to prepare and ask questions, as this consultation is time dedicated to them and their specific procedure.
To schedule your personal consultation at our Boston office, please call (617) 340-2822 or submit our online contact form.
Preparation
Dr. Lee will provide the patient with a set of preparation instructions, guiding them on how to properly prepare. He may ask patients to undergo a medical evaluation and testing to ensure they are in good health and free from any underlying medical conditions that may complicate their recovery. Dr. Lee may ask patients to temporarily refrain from the use of medications and supplements that contain blood-thinning properties. If you smoke, you must stop temporarily for several weeks since smoking can affect your healing capabilities. Patients should also arrange transportation home following their procedure, as well as necessary time away from work and other social commitments.
Procedure
Gynecomastia treatments begin by cleansing and sterilizing the skin before anesthesia is administered to ensure the patient’s comfort. Dr. Lee can treat gynecomastia using surgical excision and liposuction, depending on the patient’s situation and the extent of correction required. These procedures may also be combined for more comprehensive results. (4)
- Liposuction: Dr. Lee can use liposuction techniques to help remove deposits of fatty tissue from the male breasts. Dr. Lee will begin this procedure by creating a small incision around the breasts. Dr. Lee will inject a tumescent solution containing epinephrine, lidocaine, and saline will then be injected into the breasts. This solution is designed to minimize bleeding, enhance comfort, and help swell the fat cells, making them easier to remove. He will then use a thin tube called a cannula to gently suction out the fat cells.
- Excisional Surgery: Dr. Lee often recommends excisional surgery when glandular tissue is contributing to breast enlargement. Dr. Lee will first create an incision along the bottom edge of the areolas, then remove excess tissue to create a flatter and more masculine-looking chest. Once Dr. Lee has achieved the patient’s ideal sculpt, he will close the incisions, leaving the patient to rest under the care of our team.
Gynecomastia procedures typically take between 2-3 hours to perform, but this can vary depending on the extent of correction and whether any additional procedures are being performed. This procedure is also performed on an outpatient basis, meaning that the patient will be released home on the same day as their appointment to continue healing.
Recovery
Recovery from a gynecomastia treatment is often minimal compared to other procedures. However, patients will still need to take time away from work and other social commitments to focus on healing. Discomfort may be experienced in the treatment area, but any discomfort can be managed through the use of over-the-counter medications. Most patients can return to work within several days, but may need to avoid physical exercise or strenuous activities for several weeks. Patients will wear a compression vest to minimize swelling and support healing. Dr. Lee will discuss and provide any further post-operative instructions to the patient during their personal consultation.
Results
The results of gynecomastia treatment will manifest after several weeks of healing once any residual swelling subsides. Gynecomastia treatment can sculpt the chest for a more masculine-looking appearance. Patients can enjoy a flatter, smoother chest, in addition to a more sculpted, proportionate figure. Some scarring may remain, but it is typically minimal, discreetly placed, and often fades over time. Many patients report enhanced self-confidence, especially in public, during social situations, and when shirtless.
Corresponding Procedures
Dr. Lee can perform multiple procedures to complement gynecomastia treatment, the most popular being abdominoplasty and arm lift procedures.
- Abdominoplasty: An abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a procedure that can help eliminate excess skin and tissue from around the abdomen to create a flatter, smoother torso. This treatment is often performed after significant weight loss to help remove inelastic skin that will not contract. An abdominoplasty can also be performed to help repair separated muscles or weakened muscles in addition to sculpting a more desirable silhouette.
- Arm Lift (Brachioplasty): Dr. Lee can perform an arm lift on patients experiencing loose, sagging, or flabby upper arm skin. An arm lift is designed to improve the contours and overall appearance of the upper arm. Dr. Lee can help remove excess fat, skin, and tissue from the arm to create a sleeker silhouette and restore confidence, particularly when wearing short-sleeved or sleeveless clothing.
To learn more about our additional treatments, see the blog!
Cost of Gynecomastia Treatment in Boston, Massachusetts
The cost of each patient’s treatment can vary depending on several factors, as each gynecomastia treatment is tailored to address their unique concerns and help them achieve their goals. Dr. Lee will provide patients with a written price quote during their consultation once a treatment plan has been established. Additionally, JL Plastic Surgery has partnered with reputable lending companies CareCredit and PatientFi to help qualifying patients finance the cost of their procedure.
To discover the cost of your gynecomastia procedure, please submit our online contact form or call our office at (617) 340-2822.
For more information about our pricing, please refer to our pricing page.
FAQ
What is gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a condition that causes the male breasts to become enlarged. This condition often results from hormonal imbalances.
Can gynecomastia go away on its own?
In some cases, gynecomastia resolves naturally, especially in adolescents, but persistent cases may necessitate further intervention.
Will there be any visible scarring?
We take care to place incisions in discreet, inconspicuous areas to help minimize scarring.
How long will my gynecomastia recovery take?
Most patients can return to work within several days, and their full daily routines within several weeks.
Can my gynecomastia treatment be combined with another for more comprehensive results?
Yes. Gynecomastia treatment is often combined with procedures such as abdominoplasty or liposuction for more comprehensive body contouring. Contact our office to learn more!
References
- Bailey SH, Guenther D, Constantine F, Rohrich RJ. Gynecomastia Management: An Evolution and Refinement in Technique at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Global Open. 2016;4(6):e734-e734. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000000675
- Barros ACSD de, Sampaio M de CM. Gynecomastia: physiopathology, evaluation and treatment. Sao Paulo Medical Journal. 2012;130(3):187-197. doi:https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-31802012000300009
- ASPS. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
- Swerdloff RS, Chiu Ming Ng. Gynecomastia: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Nih.gov. Published July 7, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279105/