Male Breast Reduction

How Long Does Male Breast Reduction Surgery Take?

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:50:37 +0000

When our New York male breast reduction patients ask how long surgery will take, our answer is—as you might guess—“it all depends.”

Like almost any kind of surgery, some procedures are more complicated and take longer than others. The spectrum goes something like this:

Liposuction only: In the rare cases in which there’s no excess breast gland and patients’ man boobs are made up solely of fatty tissue, liposuction may be the only technique required. We carefully remove excess fat and sculpt the remaining tissue to look naturally masculine. These cases generally about an hour or a little longer.

Liposuction and gland excision: The great majority of our New York male breast reduction patients need both liposuction and gland excision. Great care must be taken to eliminate the right amount of breast gland to smooth puffy nipples or full-blown man boobs without creating craters or other defects. This surgery usually takes 60-90 minutes.

Revision gynecomastia surgery: Re-doing another plastic surgeon’s work generally takes more time than the original operation. Once incisions are made, we evaluate scar tissue and determine the best way to re-sculpt problem areas. Most often we utilize both liposuction and excision, and many times we reposition existing fat as well. Each revision procedure is unique, but generally we plan for 90 minutes to two hours of surgery time.

Obese and post weight loss patients: For men who are significantly overweight—or who used to be obese but successfully shed the pounds—it’s impossible to generalize about how long male breast reduction surgery will take. The customized strategy we develop with our patients takes into account factors like their skin elasticity, tolerance for scarring, lifestyle and additional weight loss plans. Sometimes we even create a two-stage surgical plan.

There’s another fundamental reason we don’t like to forecast how long gynecomastia surgery will take. That’s because we can’t be 100% certain about what’s underneath the skin until we get inside those man boobs. While some gynecomastia surgeons say they know what patients need before the first incision is made, we prefer to wait and see exactly what we find. With instruments of our own design, we are ready with a variety of techniques to create the more masculine look our patients seek.

We would be happy to talk with you about your individual case. Give our Park Avenue office a call at 212-570-6080 or contact us online.

Speaking Out for Adolescents with Gynecomastia

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:11:37 +0000

We are always pleased when we come across good information published covering teen gynecomastia. The fact is, adolescent gynecomastia—including enlarged male breasts in young men just past puberty—is quite common. Unfortunately, the condition is not necessarily well understood, even by physicians, and all too often young men are given misinformation.

To be fair, some aspects of the mechanisms triggering the rapid and profound physical changes of puberty remain partially unexplained. Endocrinologists are still working to unlock some of the mysteries surrounding hormones and the changes they cause in the human body. For instance, it has not yet been determined if young men with enlarged breasts have greater than average levels of estrogen or whether the small amount of breast tissue every male has is extra sensitive to estrogen for some people.

But while we don’t yet know the exact cause of many cases of gynecomastia in adolescents, those of us who specialize in male breast reduction do know that the condition often does not disappear with time. Teens and young men who are advised to “tough it out” and wait for their moobs to go away are often disappointed when the masculine chest they dream of never materializes. And those precious years are filled with shame and embarrassment.

That’s why we were so pleased to read about TJ Perry, a student at the University of Texas, who went public with his personal struggle with man boobs. In an article in the University Star, the college’s newspaper, TJ discussed how his physique impacted his life. He told the Star that he was teased because of his condition, unwilling to pursue dating and generally pretty miserable. “It was a big self-esteem downer,” he commented.

TJ was appalled to find out that insurance companies most often do not cover male breast reduction surgery. He was lucky enough to find a way to get the operation for himself, but he knows that others are not so fortunate. Wanting other young men to be spared the depression and “hurt on the inside” he suffered, TJ teamed with his mother to start a foundation to assist others who struggle with gynecomastia. The non-profit TJ Perry Foundation for Gynecomastia will raise money to help fund plastic surgery.

We admire TJ for taking such a proactive step to help others deal with man boobs. Establishing an organization to raise money for surgery is a wonderful, empowering way to take a stand against this debilitating condition. But we applaud this young man for something even more fundamental: simply speaking out. It’s not often that a man, especially a young man, has the courage to talk publicly about his personal gynecomastia journey.

Information is power, as the saying goes, and that certainly is the case with a condition like enlarged male breasts. TJ says “ignorant people may laugh at this issue, and people need to be informed.” We could not agree more.

We very much enjoy treating adolescent gynecomastia in New York. There’s almost no one more joyful than a young man who feels he has been given a whole new outlook on life and his future. If you’re struggling with moobs, why not fill out our consultation form online? We have treated hundreds of young people and we would be happy to share the information we have with you.

Today’s Masculine Look: Plastic Surgery’s Role

admin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 21:16:22 +0000

A few weeks ago we commented on an article on the CNN Living website called Defining the new male ideal. In the piece, Ashley Strickland noted that a leaner, “swimmer’s physique reigns supreme” nowadays, replacing the beefier, more heavily muscled look of just a few years ago.

We noted that while this is good news for many people across the nation and right here in New York, plastic surgery for men can play a role in achieving that fit, healthy appearance. Liposuction can smooth away love handles if needed. If man boobs are the issue, with a talented, experienced plastic surgeon, male breast reduction is generally very rewarding and quite safe.

There’s another aspect to pulling off the confident, polished look sought by so many men in urban settings like New York—and another way cosmetic surgery for men can help. That’s in controlling overactive sweating, medically termed hyperhidrosis. There’s practically no way to emulate well-groomed icons like Ryan Gosling and Justin Timberlake if you routinely sweat through your clothing or constantly wipe your hands.

If hyperhidrosis is a problem for you, you have probably already tried the strongest deodorant/antiperspirants you can get your hands on. If they haven’t worked, don’t be discouraged. It’s likely we can find a way to help.

Our approach in working with hyperhidrosis patients (male and female) is to team with the patient to find a solution or two that will work. We sometimes suggest anti-stress measures like yoga and biofeedback in combination with other treatments. These may include iontophoresis (a water/chemical bath), BOTOX® Cosmetic injections and sometimes medication. When less invasive techniques don’t do the job, we can perform a minimal-incision procedure to disconnect the nerves to the sweat glands, or our own “Sweat Lipo” surgery to remove many of the sweat glands altogether.

If you’re enthusiastic about the new fit and well-groomed look of today’s man and you’re pursuing it for yourself, it’s likely we can help. Our plastic surgery practice is very diverse; we serve people of all kinds and offer both surgical and non-surgical procedures. But unlike most practices in New York, plastic surgery for men is a specialty for us. Check out our book, MANTALK, and you’ll see what we mean. We take particular pleasure in helping the men we work with look and feel their best.

Call us at 212-570-6080 and plan to come in for a consultation.

Photo available from freedigitalphotos.net

Help Me Find a Gynecomastia Specialist!

admin — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 02:28:45 +0000

There was an interesting discussion on gynecomastia.org early this month. A man with gynecomastia, not a New York or California resident, apparently, asked those of us who support the site to “cough up” names of our “competitors.” He expressed frustration in trying to find gynecomastia experts close to home without help from plastic surgeons who specialize in male breast reduction. He suspected we might not want to lose business by suggesting another gynecomastia specialist, an understandable assumption.

The fact is, although we could offer general input about finding a qualified plastic surgeon, none of us could fulfill the request for specific names. Here’s why.

The leading factor is that there are actually very few plastic surgeons across the nation, and even around the world, who specialize in male breast reduction. The procedure is very popular with men, in fact it’s the fourth leading cosmetic operation for males young and old. But because women still outnumber men in seeking plastic surgery, male breast reduction doesn’t make the overall top 10 cosmetic surgery list, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Therefore, we’ve observed that many plastic surgeons who treat lots of moobs have a personal interest in gynecomastia. In our case, we got started by filling an obvious unmet need 30 years ago, and our patient base grew tremendously—along with our expertise—through referrals. Another plastic surgeon who supports gynecomastia.org is a body builder and works with many clients with similar interests.

The second factor is that we’re not that much ahead of a good researcher when it comes to knowing “who’s who” in gynecomastia surgery. As one of our colleagues pointed out, there are no special associations or meetings for gynecomastia surgeons. We all attend national plastic surgery meetings, but so many topics are covered in the educational sessions at these events that gynecomastia is not often a focus.

With that said, if you’re determined to find a gynecomastia specialist, not just a cosmetic surgeon who has male breast reduction on the menu, what should you do? Here are a couple of suggestions.

Learn all you can about the plastic surgeons who are active on gynecomastia.org and consider working with one. The members who answer questions frequently and objectively are likely to be the plastic surgeons with genuine interest in treating moobs. And each one’s practice has a program to support men who fly in for gynecomastia surgery.
If you are not prepared to travel for male breast reduction, choose one of the gynecomastia.org plastic surgeons and arrange a long distance consultation. Focus on your condition and listen carefully to the recommendations, and ask what kind of questions to pose to local plastic surgeons.

Finally, there’s one thing experienced gynecomastia surgeons agree on: the condition presents itself in a variety of ways. For this reason, one of the most important ways to ensure a good outcome is to find a board certified plastic surgeon who customizes his or her approach to each patient. Steer clear of any candidates who tell you they have a formula that works across the board.

Congratulations for being so diligent in finding the right male breast reduction surgeon. Extra effort will pay off in the long run. If you’d like to consult us in New York about gynecomastia,
Call 212-570-6080 or fill out our short contact form.

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

Gynecomastia Resources for You

admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:31:03 +0000

By the time they consult us about male breast reduction, our New York patients have typically done quite a bit of research. Nearly all of them tell us they began their journey on the Internet, so we thought we would use our blog to make note of some resources for men who are just starting to learn about gynecomastia.

Here are some sources of information to check out.

• Websites: For a very basic overview, a good place to visit is the Mayo Clinic’s website. Find the article about gynecomastia here. Another good reference—this one aimed at medical professionals—can be found on the Medscape reference site. And of course we’re hoping you’ll check out our website devoted to the topic. There are actually many places to access information about man boobs on the Internet. As with just about every other subject, what you’ll find varies quite a bit in accuracy and overall quality. We suggest you read several articles and sites for this reason.

• Gynecomastia.org: There are a few websites where you can find different kinds of information about man boobs, and a few places to get questions answered. But in our view, the very best online resource is gynecomastia.org. It offers basic information including before and after gynecomastia photos, a plastic surgeon locator and scientific articles. But most valuable are the forums. Here you can talk with other gynecomastia patients and pose questions directly to gynecomastia surgeons.

• Your primary care doctor: It can be helpful to consult your regular doctor about your condition. He or she should be familiar with gynecomastia and may be able to talk you through possible contributing causes—for instance, if a medication you take might be triggering breast tissue growth. Your doctor can also help rule out underlying diseases. We would caution you to be aware that most primary care physicians aren’t necessarily gynecomastia experts, however. It still pays to do your own research.

• Male breast reduction specialists: Even if you’re not considering gynecomastia surgery, it may very well be worthwhile to visit with one or more gynecomastia specialists. Look for board certified plastic surgeons who specialize in moobs (gynecomastia.org is a great resource for this). Most plastic surgeons today offer consultations online and/or by phone, aided with photo exchanges. Getting input from someone who performs dozens or even hundreds of man boob surgeries annually can be invaluable in understanding gynecomastia and making the right decisions.

If you would like to contact us in New York about gynecomastia, we would be very pleased to help. There are many competent board certified plastic surgeons who offer male breast reduction, but almost none perform as many of these surgeries as we do. Sharing our experience would be a pleasure, whatever the future holds for you.

You can reach us at 212-570-6080 or fill out our short contact form.

Photo by Si1very, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.

Plastic Surgeons for Men

admin — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 03:34:53 +0000

No, that title’s not a typo. There are plenty of places on the Web to find information on “plastic surgery for men;” we want to discuss how you might go about finding “plastic surgeons for men.”

First, let’s be clear that the most important attributes of the plastic surgeon you ultimately choose should be an excellent education and training record along with impeccable credentials. If you consider only plastic surgeons who are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, chances are you will be in good hands.

But if you’re a man considering plastic surgery in New York, New Jersey or another metropolitan area, you may want to locate a plastic surgeon who’s especially attuned to your needs. You have the advantage of having many surgeons to choose from—but how do you go about identifying one who specializes in working with men?

One thing you can do is take a look at the procedures a prospective plastic surgeon has to offer. When you find one who does procedures solely or often of interest to men, like gynecomastia surgery or treatment for hyperhidrosis, that’s a good sign.

You should see a balanced outreach to men and women on your surgeon’s website as well. Check out the main site for our New York plastic surgery practice and you’ll see what we mean. We’ve done our best to ensure that the imagery, copy and information we’re sharing speak to men as well as to women.

Most plastic surgeons welcome men, but few really specialize in men’s cosmetic issues. Those who do sometimes author books on the subject or conduct relevant studies. Some are “go to” authorities sought by the media to speak on topics of importance to men.

Why don’t more plastic surgeons focus on cosmetic surgery for men? According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, less than 10% of all cosmetic surgery patients are men. It’s frankly far more lucrative for most plastic surgeons to market to women. That’s why even though most plastic surgeons welcome men to their practice, few actually invest in specializing.

With thirty years practicing plastic surgery in New York, we are proud to serve the distinct needs of both men and women. Why not call us today at 212-570-6080 to find out more?

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

The Ideal Male Physique?

admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:23:50 +0000

It’s pretty obvious that the “ideal” female physique has changed throughout history. You don’t have to be a scholar to be aware that pleasingly plump figures were en vogue in the Baroque era, partly due to work of the painter Peter Paul Rubens (hence the term “Rubenesque” sometimes used to refer to a full-figured woman). More recently, waif-like bodies were popular in the 1960’s courtesy of models like the famous Twiggy.

The “ideal” male physique also changes through the ages, though perhaps less obviously than the female form. For instance, decades ago robust men were much admired because a stout physique spoke to the fact that the man was wealthy enough to have plenty to put on the dinner table.

As a New York plastic surgery practice, we pay attention to how society views female and male forms. We take special note of changing attitudes about the male physique because we specialize in male breast reduction. We recently ran across an article from CNN Living that points out some interesting facts and trends related to the male physique.

For the average guy, there’s good news and bad news in “Defining the new male ideal” by Ashley Strickland. The bad news is that as women have become more financially self-sufficient, men are expected to have more to offer than a paycheck. According to an expert Strickland quotes in her article, today’s man needs to be fit and well-groomed and have other attributes as well. “The stakes have been raised,” says Michael Addis, a psychology professor at Clark University.

But there’s good news too. Editors of websites and magazines for men say that the ideal modern man is lean, with body features in proportion to each other, as opposed to sporting the big, beefy torso of yesteryear. These editors quoted in Defining the new male ideal note that this sleek shape is easier for many men to attain.

We would agree with that notion—for many men. Others find it helpful to seek a little assistance through plastic surgery. New York residents suffering from gynecomastia, for instance, eventually discover the condition can’t be dieted, exercised or willed away. We banish man boobs for hundreds of patients each year.

Similarly, attaining the trim look now in favor can be challenging if those love handles just won’t cooperate. A simple procedure called torsoplasty, or liposuction for the midsection, can finally get rid of those pockets of fat. Take a look at some of our before and after plastic surgery photos to see how we can help.

We enthusiastically applaud all our patients who work to keep themselves fit and looking good. And we are pleased to lend a hand in putting the finishing touches on an attractive body—female or male. If you’re dealing with a stubborn feature you’d like to talk to us about, fill out our contact form here or call 212-570-6080.

Photo of Olympic diver Tom Daley by Charles McCain, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.

Gynecomastia Surgery Numbers Holding Steady

admin — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 02:21:09 +0000

What can you say about a statistic that remains about the same year after year? In the case of the number of men electing gynecomastia surgery in New York and across the nation, one way to characterize the group is “holding steady.”

That’s just what the recently released annual statistics of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) indicate about male breast reduction: the tally has remained pretty much the same for the last few years. The recently released statistics for 2011 peg last year’s gynecomastia surgeries at 17,645, just over 600 fewer than in 2010. That’s not much change, especially when you consider current economic conditions.

The ASAPS began collecting statistics on cosmetic surgery in 1997, 15 years ago. The number of men seeking surgery for man boobs has grown 58% during the decade and a half, with much of that growth occurring during the first part of that period.

Our own experience performing gynecomastia surgery in New York reflects a similar pattern with a couple of key differences. For one, we have been performing gynecomastia surgery and observing trends for 30 years—twice the period measured by the ASAPS. In addition, we specialize in male breast reduction and perform far more of these operations than the average cosmetic surgeon.

With those differences in mind, we can echo the findings of the ASAPS. When we founded our plastic surgery practice in Manhattan three decades ago, few men were seeking help for moobs. We knew it was partly because cosmetic surgery for men was not as popular as it is today, but we also learned that many men who chose the procedure found their results to be disappointing. Wanting to help, we developed specialized instruments for male breast reduction and set about perfecting the technique.

In the early years of our practice, the number of patients we treated grew rapidly. Plastic surgeons meet many of their patients through referrals from other patients, and we found that to be especially true with men struggling with gynecomastia. As our reputation developed, more men came in to consult with us.

Today, our gynecomastia patient base remains rather steady, although we perform hundreds of male breast reductions annually rather than a few dozen done by the majority of cosmetic surgeons. We especially enjoy banishing man boobs for our patients, feeling almost as much pleasure in their new bodies as they do! If you’d like to see what we might do for you, give us a call at 212-570-6080.

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

A Few Habits to Re-evaluate Before Gynecomastia Surgery

admin — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 23:30:59 +0000

When we visit with patients considering male breast reduction in New York, we always ask about their lifestyle. Our purpose is not to pass judgment—not at all! The goal is to help each man understand whether their activities may have inadvertently contributed to their moobs, and how to ensure they achieve the best possible results that will last.

That’s why we ask about habits. If you engage in an activity that may impact the look of your chest down the road, it makes sense to think about whether you’re willing to modify your lifestyle. No one wants to invest in a procedure like male breast reduction only to see the hated man boobs return.

Here are some activities we might encourage you to think about prior to gynecomastia surgery.

• Steroid use: It has long been known that anabolic steroids can trigger the growth of male breast tissue. If patients resume steroid use after male breast reduction, there’s a small chance man boobs will return.
• Marijuana use: We also caution patients that, because the active ingredient in marijuana also disrupts normal hormone levels, continued marijuana use may result in breast tissue regrowth after gynecomastia surgery.
• Alcohol consumption: Heavy drinking can cause moobs in two ways—it impacts normal liver function and can cause weight gain. We advise patients to watch their alcohol intake after male breast reduction.

There are other, less worrisome habits that may impact final results. Tanning is one. It’s unlikely you’ll come away from gynecomastia surgery with scars that are visible, but if you do (if you have skin removed, for instance), know that your scars will not tan evenly along with the rest of your skin.

Some patients enjoy routine massages. If you do, we will ask you to forego this particular activity for at least a few weeks. Massaging your chest after male breast reduction can actually cause increased swelling.

It may sound like there’s a lot to think about, and there is! But don’t worry. If you opt to undergo male breast reduction in New York with us, we’ll walk you through every consideration and supply you with all the information you need to achieve the look you’re hoping for. Come in for a consultation and let’s talk about your goals.

Photo by Paige Filler, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.

Male Breast Reduction and Acne

admin — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:53:22 +0000

Some of our New York gynecomastia patients suffer double anguish over the look of their chest: man boobs and acne. One of the first orders of business in the consultation room is to talk through how to perform male breast reduction safely for these men and adolescents.

First, we reassure patients with acne that it is likely gynecomastia surgery can still be done. The key is to bring the condition under control—or at least quiet any active outbreaks—so male breast reduction can be performed without pustules and comedones present. Active acne can increase the possibility for post-surgical infection, one of the occasional complications of gynecomastia surgery.

We advise our New York gynecomastia patients to seek the advice of a dermatologist with extensive experience treating acne. The three of us—patient, dermatologist and plastic surgeon—can work together toward surgical readiness.

The Mayo Clinic’s website is a great place to learn more about acne. In general, acne treatment should follow a course of milder to more drastic options until an effective approach is found.

Topical treatment: A first line of defense for acne sufferers is usually an over-the-counter (OTC) topical cream containing an ingredient like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
Stronger creams: A physician can prescribe a cream or lotion containing an active ingredient derived from vitamin A, such as Retin-A. Sometimes these lotions work best in combination with a milder OTC product.
Oral treatment: For stubborn cases, a dermatologist may prescribe an oral antibiotic for a period of time, or a drug based on Isotretinoin. Oral options like these must be taken with care, as long-term use can be harmful. In the case of antibiotics, patients can eventually develop resistance to the drugs. Isotretinoin-based medication has the potential for serious side effects.
Cosmetic treatment: Laser and light therapies can help in keeping acne under control, as can light to moderate chemical peels. We suggest patients see a dermatologist who has these options available as possible secondary treatments.

The good news about treating acne prior to gynecomastia surgery readiness is that outbreaks need to be calm for just a period of time. Patient and dermatologist can put a multi-faceted, vigorous treatment plan in place just long enough for male breast reduction surgery, then revert to a gentler approach if needed.

If you’re dealing with moobs and acne, we’ll gladly work with you to schedule surgery with your acne management regimen in mind. Come in for a consultation and we can talk about what’s best for you. Use our short contact form here or call 212-570-6080.

Photo by Caitlin Regan, available under a Creative Commons attribution license.