Men with enlarged breasts, or gynecomastia, can often lack confidence or feel embarrassed inside and outside of clothing. Fortunately, male breast reduction is an easy and popular procedure amongst men who see Dr. Seth in Chicago and the North Shore suburbs. Depending on your needs, Dr. Seth will work closely with you to understand and achieve your individual goals.
-
- Procedure Length: 1-2 hours
- Anesthesia: General
- Disposition: Outpatient
- Recovery: 1-2 weeks
Schedule a consultation online or over the phone (847.504.2300) with Dr. Seth today.
Why Male Breast Reduction?
Common reasons that men consider having a male breast reduction for gynecomastia include:
- Reduce the size of enlarged breasts not responding to exercise or weight loss
- Correct asymmetry between an enlarged and normal size breast
- Remove breast tissue that is painful or uncomfortable
Case ID: 234
Why Male Breast Reduction?
Common reasons that men consider having a male breast reduction for gynecomastia include:
- Reduce the size of enlarged breasts not responding to exercise or weight loss
- Correct asymmetry between an enlarged and normal size breast
- Remove breast tissue that is painful or uncomfortable
What Are My Options?
During your consultation, Dr. Seth will discuss your individual concerns and determine the extent of your gynecomastia by examining you. Based on this, Dr. Seth will explain how you may benefit from a male breast reduction, as well as what to expect after surgery. Dr. Seth's goal is to provide a customized outcome and experience for every one of his patients. Options he may discuss with you include:
- Surgical Technique
- Depending on the extent of your gynecomastia, Dr. Seth will discuss the possible surgical techniques he will use to perform your male breast reduction surgery. This can include using liposuction and/or directly removing breast tissue from behind your nipple. Dr. Seth may also discuss 'releasing' the natural fold underneath your breast to improve the shape and contour of your chest.
- Incision Type
- The most common incision types for male breast reduction surgery are one or two small pinpoint incisions for liposuction and/or a semi-circle incision in the pigmented skin surrounding your nipple. In either case, Dr. Seth is able to hide your scars for a natural appearing result.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of male breast reduction surgery for gynecomastia can vary between $4,000 and $8,100. This cost is individualized to each patient and can depend on several factors, including:
- Fees charged by the anesthesiologist and surgical facility
- The surgical technique and anticipated technical difficulty of your procedure
- The expected length of your surgery
After your consultation, you will receive an individual quote for the anticipated cost of your male breast reduction. If you are interested, third-party payment plans may be available for eligible patients.
Read what our patients are saying!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are my restrictions after surgery?
- Generally most patients begin feeling like themselves again after only a few days. Dr. Seth will place you in a surgical compression vest immediately after surgery and ask that you wear it at all times for 4 weeks after surgery. You will be ok to resume light activity whenever you feel comfortable. Generally, more strenuous activity and exercise can be slowly resumed starting at 4 weeks after surgery.
When can I drive?
- You are ok to drive once you are no longer taking any 'strong' or narcotic pain medication and when you feel comfortable behind the wheel to be safe.
When can I go back to work?
- You can return to work when you feel comfortable to do so, keeping in mind your activity restrictions. For most patients, this means going back to work after 2-3 weeks.
When can I go to the gym or workout?
- In general, most men are eager to get back to their active lifestyles after male breast reduction surgery. To minimize swelling and achieve the best cosmetic results, Dr. Seth does recommend no strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for 4 weeks after surgery.
Will I need surgical drains?
- In some cases you will need surgical drains following male breast reduction surgery to manage fluid buildup and swelling after surgery. These drains are temporary and are removed in the office.
What can I do for my scars?
- Although the scars from male breast reduction surgery tend to heal well and fade over time, there are certain scar care tips that Dr. Seth will recommend after surgery to help optimize the appearance of your scars. These may include scar massage, good sunscreen, and scar creams. In general, most of Dr. Seth's male breast reduction patients are so thrilled with appearance of their chest after surgery that they are not bothered at all by their scars.
