Breast Reduction for Men New Jersey

Parker Center in Paramus, New Jersey

• Introduction
• Treatment for Gynecomastia
• Best Candidates
• Surgery & Recovery
• Additional Resources

See Before and After Male Breast Reduction New Jersey Photos

Introduction: What is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a medical term that means enlargement of the male breast. It can affect one breast or both and is relatively common in adolescent boys and older males alike. An overall involvement of 35% of males has been reported. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction) was the fourth most popular cosmetic surgery among men in 2011, with 17,645 surgeries performed on men across the country.

Puffy nipples
Prominent nipples and “puffy” areolas are often seen with this condition, but can be corrected with a breast reduction for men. New Jersey plastic surgeon, Dr. Paul Parker, understands the emotional effects of this type of procedure and takes time to explain the various options to his patients.

The emotional and social effects can be very distressing to gynecomastia New Jersey patients. Many patients say they suffer from poor body image, expressing feelings of shame, embarrassment, and humiliation. They are often reluctant to remove their shirt in public and shy away from social interactions with others in places like swimming, playing on sports teams, and participating in gym class.

There is no known measurable cause of gynecomastia in the vast majority of patients. In a small percentage of patients, gynecomastia may be caused by certain drugs or medical conditions involving the thyroid gland, kidneys, liver, or testes. Evaluation under the guidance of an endocrinologist or internist can be performed, if deemed appropriate. When gynecomastia persists beyond 12 months, it rarely regresses.

Fortunately, surgical correction of gynecomastia, in most cases, involves a straightforward procedure at the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery. The procedure is usually accompanied by a quick, painless recovery. This results in a flatter, firmer chest with improved contour and no visible scarring. It also leads to a markedly improved emotional outlook (see Emotional Considerations with Gynecomastia).

Breast Reduction for Men New Jersey – Treatment of Gynecomastia

Fatty tissue alone

In many of our patients, gynecomastia is caused by excess fatty tissue alone. Liposuction is therefore an effective method to treat this condition. New Jersey Plastic Surgeon Dr. Parker uses the VASER Ultrasonic Liposelection system to treat these patients, having found it provides improved results over traditional liposuction. Through one or two tiny, well concealed incisions, a small specialized probe is inserted into the breast tissue. Its tip emits ultrasonic energy that melts the fatty tissue. The melted fat is then removed gently and atraumatically with a liposuction evacuation cannula. The incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures, leaving imperceptible scars; in essence, a scarless procedure. Dr. Parker has found the VASER system provides more efficient, less traumatic fat removal along with skin tightening and shrinkage.

Fatty tissue and fibrous tissue, combined

In other patients, the male breast enlargement is due to a combination of excess fatty tissue and firmer fibrous glandular tissue. The fatty tissue is removed with the VASER Ultrasonic Liposelection system as described above. Dr. Parker previously would remove the fibrous glandular tissue with a small incision along the lower half of the areola.

Newer “Scarless” Breast Reduction for Men New Jersey Technique

More recently, however, Dr. Parker has no longer needed this incision. Instead, he removes the fibrous glandular tissue with a specialized cannula, inserted through the same tiny incisions used for the fat removal. This cannula precisely removes the fibrous glandular breast tissue and thus eliminates the need for any periareolar incision. These small incisions are closed as above: with dissolvable sutures that leave imperceptible scars; in essence, this is also a scarless procedure.

For Men with Severe Gynecomastia

In more severe cases of gynecomastia, a male chest lift is often called for. Male patients with severe gynecomastia have marked breast development, including excess skin and enlarged areolas. In these cases, Dr. Parker may need to remove skin and re-contour the chest in order to achieve a masculine appearance. Men who have lost significant amounts of weight may also need help with excess chest skin.

• Read about Male Chest Lift

Breast Reduction for men New Jersey can be combined with other body procedures, as needed.

Ideal Candidates

The ideal candidates are:

• Healthy, emotionally stable males of any age—we have operated on patients in their teens as well as those into their 60s
• Men whose skin has good elasticity so that it reshapes to the new body contours created by Dr. Parker. Patients with poor skin elasticity will often need skin removed using periareolar or circumvertical incisions (see Male Chest Lift)

Surgery & Recovery Details

• Treatment is performed under either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, monitored by our board certified anesthesiologists, in our fully certified surgical center
• Most commonly, one or two small, inconspicuous incisions are made to allow the removal of fat and/or glandular tissue from the breast
• The surgery takes about one hour to perform
• Patients can be discharged within one hour of the procedure
• Patients will wear a snug-fitting compression garment for 1 to 3 weeks
• Removal of the garment for showering is permitted the day after surgery
• Pain is minimal
• Patients experience a mild-to-moderate amount of swelling and a minimal amount of bruising; this is normal and will subside
• All sutures dissolve by themselves and do not need to be removed
• Patients should be able to return to work and normal activities of daily living within several days
• Light exercise can be started after one week and full exercise after two weeks

Results of Breast Reduction for Men New Jersey

Patients almost always recover quickly with our Rapid Recovery program, experiencing little pain (they often say they feel like they did too many push-ups), mild-to-moderate swelling, and minimal bruising from breast reduction for men. New Jersey patients notice an improvement in the appearance of their chest almost immediately. Their chests are firmer, flatter, and look normal, without any visible scarring.

Psychologically, having been bothered by their appearance, often for years, patients now feel better about what they see in the mirror (see Emotional Considerations with Gynecomastia). As Dr. Parker continues to see his patients for routine follow-up visits at increasing time intervals over the next several months, he observes their self-confidence rise. They are progressively more comfortable removing their shirts in public and indulging in public activities such as going to the beach. It is a very gratifying and uplifting surgery for our patients and staff alike.

Additional Parker Center for Plastic Surgery Resources

• Emotional Considerations with Gynecomastia
• Male Chest Lift—for severe cases of gynecomastia, or men who have lost significant weight
• Liposuction Techniques and Your Safety
• View before and after results of gynecomastia patients
• Learn about our private consultation process