29 Jan 2024 | by Dr. Sean Doherty
The ideal chest contour for men is naturally different than the ideal for women. While the latter generally desire more volume in their breasts, the exact opposite is true for men. A smooth, flat chest is what most men desire as the human eye reads this look as more “masculine”. Unfortunately, excess fat and/or gland tissue, known as gynecomastia, is incredibly common. It affects nearly 40% of younger men and almost 60% of older men. In the past, men were ashamed to talk about their “man boobs”, even with their own doctor. The internet has happily changed this dynamic, giving men a safe forum in which to educate themselves on the best procedures for gynecomastia. The drawback to the web, however, is that everyone’s body is not only unique, but any treatment option will only be effective if it addresses the underlying cause of your gynecomastia. This is why it is so critical to book an in-person consultation with a Board-Certified plastic surgeon who has a lot of experience with male chest contouring.
Gynecomastia Consultation is Not a Waste of Time
Treating men with effective body contouring procedures is one of my areas of expertise. I derive great satisfaction from helping my Boston area male patients to look their best. I’ve seen first-hand how this can boost self-confidence and deliver a greater sense of vitality and renewed energy. It’s best to begin your journey towards improving your chest contour with an in-person consultation.
During our meeting, I will listen to what bothers you about your body contour. Then, I will perform a thorough physical exam in order to assess:
• Fatty deposits
• Presence, if any, of excess gland tissue
• Degree of skin laxity
Since men generally desire a less invasive approach, most gynecomastia patients come to me asking for liposuction or a non-surgical fat reduction technique. But these procedures will only be effective if fat alone is the underlying driver of your “male boobs”.
Treating Gynecomastia that is Due to Excess Fat Alone
In patients with good skin quality whose gynecomastia is due to excess fat alone, there are two non-surgical options:
• SculpSure®
• Coolsulpting®
Both can reduce fat without incisions or excessive downtime. But, each will require multiple sessions, spaced 6-8 weeks apart, and neither is going to give me the kind of access that I can get with surgical liposuction. I refer to my liposuction procedures as liposculpture as I am literally carving out the appropriate peaks and valleys to create your ideal chest contour. Furthermore, liposuction is a one-and-done procedure. The incisions through which I place the cannula do not even require stitches and heal beautifully. This is a procedure with more downtime, but it can also create a much more robust and long-lasting result.
Gynecomastia Surgery for Excess Glandular Tissue
While fat reduction techniques can be a very effective treatment option for gynecomastia that is driven by fat alone, many men also have an excess of glandular tissue which can only be addressed with gynecomastia surgery. The idea of incisions on such a visible part of the body can be an initial turn-off for many of my male patients. It’s important to realize, however, that I place these incisions, whenever possible, on the border between your areolar and chest skin where they’re easily camouflaged. I pride myself on my meticulous surgical technique that produces as little tension as possible on the skin while incisions on the chest also tend to heal very well in general.
The biggest benefit of gynecomastia surgery is that I am able to address the full range of underlying causes. I can remove the excess glandular tissue, use liposuction to clean up any fatty deposits, and improve the appearance of puffy nipples which are a common hallmark of gynecomastia. If necessary, I may also reduce the size of the areolar to better match your new chest contour.
So, if you find yourself embarrassed to take off your shirt at the gym or on the beach, schedule an appointment to come in and discuss how a male chest contouring procedure can help.
To find out more about the best procedures for gynecomastia, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Brookline office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.
