Breast Reduction (men)

Breast reduction for men is usually performed to treat gynecomastia, which is abnormal breast development in men. The degree of breast development is measured using the same Tanner scale used to describe breast development
in pubescent females. Some degree of gynecomastia is normal during male adolescence, and a percentage of these men will retain breast tissue into adulthood. Once the patient has been evaluated by an endocrinologist as to possible causes of gynecomastia, like decreased testosterone level, they may opt for treatment by removal of breast tissue and fat and retightening of the breast skin. Older men may simply have fat deposition in the breast area.

Treatment may involve liposuction only for mild cases of fat deposition.  Removal of gynecomastia (breast tissue) usually requires surgical excision. In addition, the areola is frequently enlarged and will need to be reduced. Fat deposition is treated with liposuction, and the skin is retightened with some form of breast lift. The incision may simply encircle the areola, or may extend to either side to some degree. More extreme cases involve an inframammary incision as well as nipple transfer. This is a modification of the breast reduction performed in women.