Look for a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

When searching for a local gynecomastia expert, your first move should be to visit the website of the American Board of Plastic Surgery to learn why board certification is such an important credential. Then, check out the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, whose members are all board certified, and locate plastic surgeons near you.

Visit the websites of all the plastic surgeons in your area to find out which ones offer male breast reduction. See if you can get a feel for those who specialize in the procedure as opposed to plastic surgeons who simply include it as part of their repertoire.

Evaluate Skills and Experience

Before and after gynecomastia photo galleries are good places to browse. These web pages can tell you two things: whether the results a prospective surgeon achieves appeal to you and how much emphasis he or she places on gynecomastia surgery. Ideally, the website should offer several sets of before and after gynecomastia pictures, including many body types.

Similarly, the plastic surgeon’s website should have a separate page devoted to gynecomastia, not mention it as an afterthought on another page.

If you find plastic surgeons who appeal to you, arrange consultations. Ask probing questions about their male breast reduction experience, techniques and more. Request the names of a few patients you might contact as referrals.

Keep your Options Open

Finally, as you consider local plastic surgeons, take a step back and look at the big picture. For instance, don’t let differences in fees be the deciding factor. There are many good reasons why one plastic surgeon may charge more than another—including a higher level of experience, more depth and skill in the surgical team, higher facility costs and so on. Since your results will last a lifetime, consider the cost of gynecomastia surgery as an investment.

Finally, if you find a plastic surgeon with plenty of experience near you, and he or she is someone you feel very comfortable with—that’s great. If not, or if you would like a second or third option, we would be very pleased to consult with you. We can work with you over the Internet and via a phone consultation, or you can arrange to see us during a visit to New York. Gynecomastia is one of our top specialties, and we work with many patients who do not live near Manhattan.

Want to find out more? Contact our Park Avenue office at 212-570-6080.

Photo by the U.S. Navy, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.

Step 1: Prepare Thoroughly for Male Breast Reduction

Preparing for gynecomastia surgery is a process in itself. Once you’ve found an experienced male breast reduction surgeon, make note of his or her instructions and follow them. They will include paying attention to your nutrition prior to surgery, getting plenty of rest and limiting alcohol intake. It also means quitting or at least suspending smoking if you do smoke. Your plastic surgeon will have these and other pre-op guidelines for you.

In addition, give some thought to your personal needs. You will want someone to pick you up after your procedure and be close by to help you—perhaps prepare a meal or walk your dog—should you need it. You may also want to collect books, movies and other materials to help you take it easy for a few days.

Step 2: Get Plenty of Rest After Gynecomastia Surgery

Even though male breast reduction is less invasive than many other types of surgery, you will still need some time to recover from this “controlled trauma.” Resting allows your body to devote its resources to the healing process.

Resting, especially upright, helps with another post-surgical objective: controlling swelling. And the more measures you take to limit swelling, the faster your new, sleek look will appear.

Step 3: Limit Your Movements

Most men are very eager to get back to their normal lives, including exercise, as soon as possible following gynecomastia surgery. While this is understandable, be advised that doing too much too soon definitely leads to increased swelling, and can lead to complications.

It’s well worth it in the long run to limit your movements after male breast reduction. This means avoiding raising your arms and lifting much weight. It also means bypassing anything aerobic for a few weeks. It’s important to understand that elevated blood pressure also contributes to swelling, so it’s not enough to simply avoid weight lifting. It can also contribute to a late hematoma (bleeding under the skin), which can occur days or even weeks after surgery.

Step 4: Listen to your Gynecomastia Surgeon

No matter what your man boobs may look like, no matter what specific concerns you may have and no matter what happens along the way from consultation to recovery, if you’ve chosen your plastic surgeon wisely he or she will be well equipped to advise you. Listen carefully to their counsel.

To learn more about gynecomastia surgery and recovery, visit our website devoted to male breast reduction and take a look at the extensive list of Frequently Asked Questions.

In our Manhattan practice, we perform hundreds of male breast reduction surgeries each year and find working with patients like you extremely gratifying. We would like the chance to assist you with your own unique case of gynecomastia, whether New York is your home or you live thousands of miles away. Fill out our short form online to get started.

Photo by CarbonNYC, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.

The anguish involved for these men is evident. It’s natural to wonder, “do I or don’t I?” It’s heartwarming to see people share advice, such as “look in the mirror and raise your arms,” or “tense your muscles.” On forum sites like gynecomastia.org, participants are very supportive of each other.

There’s lots of input we provide for men who are just starting to learn about man boobs. One simple suggestion we end up making much of the time is: Why not arrange a gynecomastia consultation with a male breast reduction specialist?

No, we’re not advocating that every man who suspects he has gynecomastia rush out and sign up for male breast reduction surgery. Plastic surgery is a good choice for many, but not all. But when you visit a highly experienced gynecomastia surgeon, you will get expert answers to questions like “do I or don’t I” and many more that will surely follow:

• Is there a chance it will go away?
• How does my case compare with others?
• Is surgery an option? What factors should I consider?
• What results might I expect from male breast reduction?

Whether you’re considering plastic surgery or not, there’s much to be gained from a visit to a gynecomastia specialist. Write down all your questions before the consultation and be sure to see before and after gynecomastia photos. You should come away feeling much better informed about your physique and equipped to contemplate courses of action—not pressured to have surgery!

The internet is a great resource for all kinds of information, and we’re gratified to see men young and old researching moobs. After patients have spent some time online, it’s a logical next step to see a male breast reduction surgeon.

We would be delighted to help you. We see men with gynecomastia from New York, New Jersey and surrounding states, and we work with patients who fly in for surgery as well. We can even arrange a long-distance consultation. Simply contact us online or call our Manhattan offices at 212-570-6080.

Photo by Stallons, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.

The most critical reason to find a highly experienced gynecomastia surgeon can be expressed in just one word: contour. The key to achieving a natural, masculine look where man boobs used to be is creating a smooth, attractive chest contour. And it’s not necessarily a simple task.

Here’s why.

First, the way breast tissue develops varies widely. It typically begins to appear under the nipple/areola complex, and for some men, growth stops there. These patients have protruding or puffy looking areolas. Very careful gland removal is often required, sometimes with fat repositioning to ensure craters do not form.

In many men, gland tissue spreads out from the center of the breast gradually and intermingles with fat. In other words, the two types of tissue intertwine, making removal a customized operation. This is why most male breast reduction surgeries require a combination of liposuction and tissue excision, with precise resculpting of the chest.

In addition, stubborn fat pockets can exist nearby, such as in the armpit area. The plastic surgeon must be experienced in evaluating the entire chest to see if liposuction needs to be performed elsewhere, otherwise those little “pooches” could mar a sleek new look.

Finally, patients with a relatively large build need the skills of a gynecomastia specialist who knows how to remove enough breast gland and fat to banish the moobs, while leaving enough tissue so the chest area looks consistent with the rest of the body. It takes many surgeries to perfect the artistry involved in knowing what to remove and what to retain.

We have been performing surgery for patients with gynecomastia in New York, New Jersey and the surrounding areas for more than two decades. We take great pride in creating pleasing results for our patients and invite you to read our thorough FAQ and view our before and after gynecomastia photos to see some of our work. If you’d like to talk to us about your options, give us a call at 212-570-6080.

Photo by Sunshine City, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.

If you have a generalized fear of any surgery, that could be a different matter. No matter how much information we share, you may still be uncomfortable at the thought of having an operation.

In the end, it’s completely your decision; we never pressure patients to choose male breast reduction surgery. But if you are eager to get rid of man boobs and would like to conquer your fear, we may be able to help with some suggestions.

It’s a relief to many New York gynecomastia candidates to learn how we handle anesthesia. Rather than putting our patients under general anesthesia, we use twilight sedation for almost all gynecomastia surgeries. The medication is administered through an IV, and patients sleep gently and awaken quickly after surgery. The risk of effects like headache and nausea is very low. We work with a board certified MD anesthesiologist who has been part of our team for over 20 years.

We can spend extra time with you making sure you know just what to expect before, during and after surgery. You can tour our fully accredited surgical facility and review the rigorous process involved in accreditation. We can also put you in touch with a few of our past patients. You can have a conversation with them about any and all aspects of surgery you would like to discuss, including your discomfort. Knowing what to expect, especially from others who have had surgery, can go a long way toward relieving any pre-operative anxiety.

In addition, there are several techniques you might try to help alleviate your fear of surgery. Some people find “alternative” therapies helpful, such as biofeedback, acupuncture and massage. Some men swear by meditation and/or yoga. You can also seek counseling, to help you confront your fear of surgery or to determine whether you should go ahead with male breast reduction at all.

Finally, keep in mind that male breast reduction is an elective procedure. If you simply cannot make peace with the idea of gynecomastia surgery, you can decide not to move forward! In this case, there are a variety of compression garments you might purchase to achieve a smoother look.

The best way to evaluate the right course of action is to arrange a consultation. We invite you to give us a call at 212-570-6080 or contact us online. We have experience working with patients of all kinds, including those who feel uncertain about what’s best. No pressure, we promise!

Photo by Cara Photography, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.

A crater deformity looks like you might expect—it’s a depression under the nipple/areola complex. Naturally, a patient who seeks surgery for prominent male breasts does not want to end up with the reverse! Crater deformities do not look natural and, unfortunately, can be tricky to fix.

The Best Defense

As in football, where the best offense is a good defense, the ideal way to handle a crater deformity is not to get one in the first place. In working with 2,000 patients seeking male breast reduction in New York, we’ve found that a potential crater is usually evident during or near the end of gynecomastia surgery. Should this happen, an experienced gynecomastia surgeon can mobilize nearby fat flaps and suture them together underneath the skin. During the operation, tissues are loose and can be moved for this purpose.

We never complete a procedure if there’s any evidence that a crater may form. Surgery is finished only when there’s a completely firm, smooth contour. That’s why our gynecomastia revision surgery rate is nearly zero.

If You Have a Crater Deformity

We do perform quite a number of revision surgeries for patients who have had their man boob surgery with another doctor. Each case is unique, both inside and out, so our approach is to customize the revision. We start by carefully evaluating the patient, and we review the first surgeon’s operative report whenever possible.

The procedure itself can include one or more of these options:

• Fat suturing: If there’s sufficient fat tissue surrounding the crater, some may be loosened and stitched together just as in an initial procedure. This technique can be more challenging in a secondary operation due to the formation of scar tissue.
• Fat grafting: When there’s little fat available nearby, or when the depressed area is quite small, fat cells can be harvested from elsewhere, cleansed and injected into the crater. Occasionally this maneuver needs to be performed more than once.
• Liposuction: Once a depressed area is filled in with fat, very precise liposuction of surrounding tissues may help in achieving a smooth appearance.
• Scar tissue: If scar tissue under the skin contributes to an irregular surface, this tissue may be reduced through cortisone injections or careful excision.

Whether you’re planning a primary or secondary gynecomastia surgery, the single most important move you can make is to place yourself in the hands of a male breast reduction specialist. While no surgeon can guarantee a perfect result, there’s no better way to increase the odds of a great outcome for you than by consulting an expert.

We invite you to learn more about our practice, view our before and after gynecomastia photos and contact us for a consultation.

Photo by Lisa Brewster, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.

Before Gynecomastia Surgery

Patients sometimes ask about exercising before male breast reduction surgery to build chest muscles. We do encourage our patients to pursue good health and we applaud those who work out—but it’s not a necessary step in preparing for the procedure.

You also don’t need to stop working out before you come in for male breast reduction. We would suggest you don’t exhaust yourself the night before surgery so you have plenty of energy in reserve for recovery, but a mild to moderate workout is fine.

After Gynecomastia Surgery

Gynecomastia surgery is less invasive than many other surgical procedures. Even so, the recovery process must still be gradual. You can expect to be able to drive after a few days and return to sedentary work and light activities in a few days as well. You can go to restaurants, see movies and enjoy other non-strenuous pursuits.

Workouts should not be resumed for at least four weeks. As you return to the gym, the pool or your jogging route, take it easy at first. The key is to take care not to raise your blood pressure too high too soon. Elevated blood pressure can cause increased swelling, and it can open a blood vessel that was sealed in surgery, leading to post-surgical bleeding or a hematoma even several days down the road.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

One of the most common mistakes men make when recovering from gynecomastia surgery is misunderstanding the reason for avoiding strenuous exercise for a few weeks. Occasionally one of our New York City gynecomastia patients will think, “I’m more fit than the average guy, I can take it,” and grab the free weights too soon. Others go back to their regular exercise circuit the first day back at the gym, without resuming the routine a little at a time.

Make sure you understand that maintaining low blood pressure the first few weeks after surgery will be of tremendous help in reducing swelling and guarding against bleeding. No matter how strong and eager for a workout you may feel, the inevitable rise in blood pressure is not worth the risk.

After all, shrinking those man boobs as fast as possible is what it’s all about, right?

Find more information about recovering from gynecomastia surgery and other aspects of enlarged male breasts in the list of frequently asked questions on our website devoted to gynecomastia surgery.

Photo by Spirit-Fire, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.

As we tell our New York gynecomastia patients, it’s essential that each male breast reduction procedure be fine-tuned to the specific needs of the patient. And that means some decisions must be made in the operating suite as the gynecomastia surgeon gets a close up look at exactly what kind of tissue is present throughout the entire chest area.

Through our experience working with 2,000 gynecomastia patients over two decades, we’ve learned a great deal. We know enough to make educated guesses about what we’ll find under the skin during surgery, and we’re right most of the time. Still, we make final decisions during the male breast reduction procedure to achieve optimum results for each man. It’s important to understand that no one, not even a plastic surgeon well versed in male breast surgery, can predict exactly what type of tissue lies beneath the skin prior to making incisions.

We think of the surgical process as a “decision tree.” We start with a tiny nick near the armpit and perform liposuction with instruments we’ve designed for this purpose. In about a third of our patients, we discover a modest amount of breast tissue that can also be removed with a cannula through this same incision.

When we find a larger amount of dense breast gland that can’t be taken out this way, we make small incisions around the edge of the areolas. This allows us to remove the balance of the breast tissue and achieve a smooth, contoured appearance.

The decision tree doesn’t apply to the breasts alone. We also take a look at surrounding areas and determine whether there are stubborn fat deposits along the sides of the chest or into the armpit that should be removed. Each case is unique, but the goal is the same: to achieve a natural looking, masculine result.

We understand that every patient hopes for the least invasive male breast reduction procedure possible, and that’s our goal as well. But even when our New York gynecomastia patients need multiple small incisions to achieve a great-looking outcome, we assure them that scars will be minimal, or even nearly invisible. Take a look at our before and after gynecomastia photos to see what we mean.

Photo by David Mican, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.

There’s a reason before and after plastic surgery photos are some of the most highly-trafficked pages on plastic surgeons’ websites: patients are naturally curious about what they might achieve if they should elect to go under the knife. We find this to be the case with just about every procedure patients are interested in, including male breast reduction. New York patients are informed consumers, and they want to see what they can reasonably expect.

In truth, before and after gynecomastia photos can do more than fuel your imagination—they can be used in other ways too. Here are some suggestions to get you thinking about what before and after gynecomastia pictures can do for you.

• Use them in consultation. An obvious way to benefit from male breast reduction photos is to use them to facilitate mutual understanding with your plastic surgeon. Look for images of men with “before” physiques similar to yours, and surgical results you admire, to express your desires to your surgeon. He or she can use the photo gallery to illustrate anyspecial considerations, such as the shape of your ribcage or your skin’s elasticity, that need to be taken into account.

• They can be a decision factor in choosing your plastic surgeon. Another way patients use before and after gynecomastia photos is to find a surgeon with a high level of male breast reduction experience. Many cosmetic surgeons perform the procedure—along with 20 or 30 other surgical procedures—and handle several gynecomastia patients annually. But few perform dozens or even hundreds of male breast reductions each year. A robust photo gallery can indicate that your prospective plastic surgeon operates on man boobs frequently.

• Use them to help you indentify a gynecomastia specialist. Here’s a bit of inside information from a plastic surgeon’s point of view—posting and maintaining photos on the Web is time consuming. At a minimum, the surgeon needs to obtain permission from patients, take a set of comparable photos, develop a website with photo gallery management software and commit to keeping it up to date. What this means is that a plastic surgeon with an extensive library of before and after gynecomastia photos invests in treating men like you.

Whether you’re seeking male breast reduction in New York or New Mexico, it really does pay off to choose an experienced plastic surgeon who performs many of these procedures each year—a surgeon who is highly interested in treating gynecomastia patients and takes time to demonstrate their expertise. Photo galleries can be good places to get a feeling for this.

We’re always pleased when we hear questions like these from patients seeking treatment for gynecomastia in New York, or online at gynecomastia.org. Men who wonder about how best to prepare their bodies for gynecomastia surgery are signaling that they’re ready to do their part to achieve the best outcome possible.

While you research male breast reduction methods, seek out an experienced gynecomastia surgeon and review before and after gynecomastia photos, you also need to learn what you can do to ensure you’re in great physical condition for your procedure. Here are some considerations:

Nutrition: Pay attention to getting good nutrition prior to gynecomastia surgery. Protein is particularly important in the healing process, so if you’re a vegetarian or vegan you may need to find ways to supplement your protein intake.

Alcohol: There are several reasons to curb your alcohol intake both before and after surgery. If you are a heavy drinker your liver may be stressed, making surgery more risky. Alcohol dilates blood vessels, meaning you may bruise if you’re drinking around the time of your surgery. And alcohol can interact with medications you may need. Be sure to be honest about your habits with your plastic surgeon.

Weight: It’s not necessary to be at your ideal weight prior to surgery, but weighing close to the optimum level for you is best. If you plan to drop many pounds, it may be to your advantage to wait to have male breast reduction. If you lose a few pounds after surgery, your results will get even better!

Smoking: If you’re serious about male breast reduction surgery, this is an excellent time to quit smoking. Nicotine slows blood flow to the tissues, thereby inhibiting healing. It also robs skin of its elasticity, meaning your skin may not tighten up as effectively as a non-smoker’s will after surgery. If you can’t quit, most surgeons insist you stop smoking for a period of weeks prior to your procedure.

If you’ve indulged in habits that may very well have contributed to the development of your man boobs, now is the time to evaluate where you want to go from here. If you can’t commit to discontinuing known gynecomastia triggers—like marijuana, anabolic steroids, and excessive alcohol consumption—you should delay planning plastic surgery until you can. Although moobs seldom reoccur after male breast reduction, we tell all our patients with gynecomastia in New York that ongoing use of these substances can cause additional breast tissue growth.

Photo by Martin Cathrae, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.