Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons Serving Denver & Lone Tree, Colorado
If you are suffering from overdeveloped male breast tissue, you are not alone. Gynecomastia, a condition affecting an estimated 40 to 60% of men, causes excess breast tissue in one or both breasts. While common, it can be a source of embarrassment, often preventing men from feeling confident in social and intimate situations.
At Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Christopher Williams and Dr. Jeremy Williams offer expert treatment for gynecomastia. With specialized training from The Johns Hopkins Hospital, they bring years of experience in reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery. Their expertise in microsurgical techniques and body contouring allows them to create natural-looking results tailored to each patient's needs. Through advanced men's medical procedures, they help men achieve a more masculine chest contour and restore confidence in their appearance.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is the benign enlargement of male breast tissue due to hormonal fluctuations, typically involving an increase in estrogen relative to testosterone. It can develop at any age and may affect one or both breasts. Though not harmful, it can cause physical discomfort and emotional distress. Unlike excess fat accumulation in the chest, which can be addressed through weight loss, gynecomastia involves actual glandular tissue growth that may require medical or surgical treatment.
What Causes Gynecomastia?
For patients who want to improve their gynecomastia, looking for an underlying treatable medical cause is necessary before surgical correction. If you believe you have gynecomastia, you should consult your primary care physician to find out if an underlying condition or medication may be contributing to it. Only a qualified healthcare professional can determine the cause of your gynecomastia.
Things that may be causing your gynecomastia can include:
- Hormonal imbalance, especially in which estrogen levels are higher than testosterone levels
- Diseases, including chronic liver disease
- Heredity
- Medications
- Obesity
- Marijuana use
- Alcohol use
- Use of or exposure to anabolic steroids
If you are using certain medications, please do not make any changes and do not stop taking your medication without first consulting your doctor. If there is an underlying disease, drug, or other issue causing the swollen breast tissue, you need to work with your doctor to resolve the problem.
We only perform male breast reduction surgery after we know the male breasts will not continue to swell and enlarge. Doing so ensures that your results are permanent and that any underlying health problems have been addressed.
The Stages of Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is divided into stages depending on the severity. Our board-certified plastic surgeons can recommend the best treatment plan for your stage during your consultation.
The four grades of gynecomastia are:
- Grade I: The initial stage of gynecomastia involves slight enlargement of the breast tissue without any excess skin. If you're in this grade, you might find exercise and diet are enough to minimize the appearance of excess breast tissue, though they won't completely eliminate it. CoolSculpting® could be an effective nonsurgical option.
- Grade IIa: This stage involves moderate tissue enlargement without excess skin. While this grade of gynecomastia might not be noticeable under loose clothing, many men choose liposuction, CoolSculpting, or excision to feel more comfortable shirtless.
- Grade IIb: At this stage, you'll see moderate breast enlargement and droopy skin around the areola. The excess breast tissue can be noticeable even with loose clothing. Our surgeons can use liposuction, direct excision, or a combination of both techniques to correct enlargement and excess skin.
- Grade III: This is the most severe level of gynecomastia with significant and highly visible breast enlargement. Liposuction and gland excision can reshape your chest if you're in this stage.
At Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery, we've helped countless patients with all grades of gynecomastia achieve a more masculine physique.
Gynecomastia Surgery Options
Several different techniques can be used during gynecomastia surgery. Our board-certified plastic surgeons will help you select the right option for you based on the nature of your condition. Men who suffer from true gynecomastia typically have excess fat and glandular tissue.
They may also be experiencing hanging skin and a certain degree of chest sagging. Combining surgical excision and liposuction techniques will likely achieve the best results in those cases. Meanwhile, some men suffer from pseudo-gynecomastia. Pseudogynecomastia is a condition in which male breasts develop excess fatty tissue around and behind the nipples. Unlike with true gynecomastia, glandular tissue is not much of a concern, and liposuction may be all that's needed to achieve a flatter and more sculpted chest.
Patient Testimonial
"I needed to have a long time disfigurement dealt with that was now causing me much pain. Went to several surgeons to do my due diligence & found my way back to Dr. J. Williams. He heard me, listened plus his staff was so attentive & won me over. They took care of me with 360 degree care not leaving anything unchecked. I would highly recommended this surgeon & his facility. He has his own surgery center which made the experience as comfortable as surgery can be."
The Benefits of Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Male breast reduction surgery can have a significant positive impact on your self-esteem. Though gynecomastia is common, many men with the condition report feeling insecure about their physique. Surgical procedures or CoolSculpting can give your chest a masculine contour. In addition to feeling more confident with your shirt off, you might notice clothing fits better, too.
Male breast reduction also has some health benefits. Excess tissue can make leading an active lifestyle uncomfortable when it rubs against clothing or adds extra weight during cardio. Gynecomastia surgery may also reduce your risk of male breast cancer.
Is Male Breast Reduction Surgery Right for You?
Before considering surgery, it's important to determine if an underlying medical condition is causing gynecomastia. If so, treating the condition first is recommended before revisiting the surgery option. Once underlying causes are ruled out or addressed, most healthy men bothered by their chest appearance may be candidates.
You may be a good candidate if you:
- Are dissatisfied with your chest's appearance
- Have enlarged breast tissue and excess skin
- Have sought medical treatment for any underlying cause
- Are in good health and at a stable weight
- Do not smoke or are willing to quit to aid in healing
Adolescent males are usually advised to wait until after puberty, as gynecomastia often resolves naturally. However, in rare cases, early surgery may be considered after consultation with a doctor.
Men who may not be candidates include those with certain health conditions, underlying breast disease, smoking or substance abuse issues, or unrealistic expectations. If you're considering gynecomastia surgery, a consultation with a plastic surgeon can determine if it's the right option for you.
Preparing for Gynecomastia Surgery
Before your male breast reduction procedure, you will receive detailed pre-operative instructions. To ensure a smooth surgery and recovery, you should:
- Discontinue any medications and supplements that thin the blood at least two weeks before surgery.
- Stop smoking at least one month before surgery to lower the risk of complications, enhance healing, and reduce scarring.
- Be aware that blood transfusions are extremely rare and not typically needed for this procedure.
What to Expect from Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery varies based on the severity of the condition. Your surgeon will determine the best approach for you, which may involve:
- Minimal scarring techniques that remove the gland while preserving the skin.
- More extensive procedures for severe cases, removing excess skin and breast tissue, which may result in larger scars.
The surgery is performed at Park Meadows Outpatient Surgery, a state-licensed and Joint Commission-accredited facility. It typically lasts one to three hours, and patients do not need to stay overnight.
Our board-certified plastic surgeons use liposuction, direct excision, or a combination of both to reshape your chest, removing excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin. In many cases, scars are limited to the area around the nipple. For severe cases, a scar along the lower chest (pectoralis muscle fold) may be necessary. Some patients may require a second-stage procedure to allow the skin to shrink before making larger incisions.
What to Expect After Surgery
After surgery, you will receive comprehensive post-operative care instructions, including guidelines for:
- Incision care – Steri-strips will cover your incisions.
- Compression garment – You will need to wear a post-surgical compression garment for four weeks to reduce swelling and support healing.
- Recovery timeline – Most patients can:
- Return to work in 10 to 14 days (if their job is not physically demanding).
- Resume light activity after four weeks.
- Engage in strenuous workouts after six weeks.
The chest skin can take several months to settle into its final shape. Some men may experience temporary changes in nipple sensation, ranging from increased sensitivity to numbness, but this usually resolves over time.
While most patients achieve their desired results in one surgery, some may experience minor asymmetry or uneven healing, requiring a touch-up procedure.
Post-Surgery Care and Recovery
You will receive detailed home care instructions covering diet, driving, activity levels, and restrictions on smoking and alcohol. Some key points include:
- Showering – You can shower 48 hours after surgery, but avoid soaking in a bath. Remove your compression garment while showering and put it back on afterward to help minimize bruising and swelling.
- Medications – Follow your prescribed pain management plan and take all medications as directed.
- Activity Restrictions – Avoid lifting, straining, or strenuous activity until cleared by your surgeon.
Every patient heals at their own pace, but following these guidelines will help ensure the best possible results. Explore our before and after photos to see the transformations from gynecomastia surgery.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Gynecomastia
Surgery is usually the best solution for men with persistent gynecomastia. However, some lifestyle changes may have a positive impact on the appearance of your chest, such as:
- Eating well and exercising regularly
- Stopping the use of steroids and certain medications
- Avoiding alcohol, illegal drugs, and cigarettes
- Trying to avoid stress
- Getting enough sleep
Treating gynecomastia can also involve treating an underlying medical condition. Sometimes, your doctor may recommend off-label medications or testosterone therapy. Finally, you may consider non-surgical body contouring treatments. However, these treatments will only target excess fat—not glandular tissue. You may need to address both to achieve a flat and firm chest.
CoolSculpting® For Non-Surgical Male Breast Reduction in Lone Tree, CO
For some men, CoolSculpting can be an incredibly effective alternative to male breast reduction surgery. This non-invasive treatment uses gentle cooling energy to freeze and eliminate targeted fat cells. Applied through comfortable applicator paddles, the energy is painless and does not affect or harm the surrounding tissue.
Depending on the degree of your gynecomastia, CoolSculpting may be able to provide the contoured, defined look you desire. CoolSculpting offers the most significant results for men dealing with enlarged breasts comprised primarily of fatty tissue.
This treatment may be a good option if you want to avoid an involved surgical procedure. However, CoolSculpting may not be ideal for dealing with excess glandular tissue.
No matter your situation, our CoolSculpting team leads will happily explore this non-surgical alternative with you. In some cases, CoolSculpting may be used after you have healed from surgery to further enhance your results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, exercise alone can't eliminate your gynecomastia, though it might minimize its appearance. However, you might be able to reduce your excess breast tissue through exercise if you have pseudogynecomastia. Both conditions cause an enlargement of the chest but have different causes and treatments.
Gynecomastia is caused by a hormonal imbalance that leads to breast tissue growth. Our board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons can remove this tissue with male breast reduction procedures. With pseudogynecomastia, breast growth is due to excess fat tissue and can be significantly reduced through a healthy diet and exercise.
While excess breast tissue can cause tenderness or discomfort, it's generally not a serious health risk. However, if you have gynecomastia, you also have an increased risk of male breast cancer and should be screened more regularly.
While it's rare to develop physical issues related to gynecomastia, many of our patients feel the condition has a serious psychological impact. You might find that male breast reduction surgery improves your self-confidence and empowers you to enjoy things you avoided, like trips to the beach.
If you have excess breast tissue, you're far from alone. Gynecomastia is the most common male breast disorder, affecting 50 to 65% of boys and men worldwide. While some of these cases resolve after puberty, many adult men deal with the condition. Gynecomastia can also happen later in life when testosterone levels decline as you age.
Gynecomastia can come back after male breast reduction surgery. However, most men can prevent that by maintaining a stable weight. In fact, studies have shown that the procedure ranks highly in terms of patient satisfaction. Remember that the natural aging process will cause some sagging over time due to lost skin elasticity. If that bothers you, non-surgical skin tightening treatments may be able to address it.
Be aware that some medications, health conditions, and lifestyle choices that impact hormones might cause gynecomastia to return. Talk to our surgeons for more information about achieving long-lasting results in your unique situation.
"From the moment I walked through the doors of the clinic I knew I made the right choice. The entire facility and staff is so friendly, inviting, and professional. I felt very comfortable asking questions and not worrying about sounding silly. Dr. Jeremy Williams is amazing and works wonders. I will definitely recommend his expertise to anyone I know that is interested in his work. And when I feel the need for any more work, I'll definitely return. Thank you all so much for being so compassionate and caring."
Why Choose Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery for Gynecomastia Treatment?
Dr. Christopher Williams and Dr. Jeremy Williams are board-certified plastic surgeons with years of specialized training. They have completed extensive plastic and reconstructive surgery education at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and hold expertise in both aesthetic and reconstructive procedures. Their commitment to patient care extends beyond surgical precision, offering personalized treatment plans tailored to individual needs.Â
With a focus on safety, innovation, and state-of-the-art techniques, our surgeons strive to deliver optimal results. We provide complimentary cosmetic consultations, allowing patients to meet our team, ask questions, and determine the best treatment plan.Â
Choosing the right plastic surgeon is a personal decision, and our board-certified professionals are here to guide you every step of the way. We prioritize patient satisfaction at Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery, ensuring you feel confident and well-informed throughout your gynecomastia treatment journey.
Enhancing Confidence with Gynecomastia Surgery in Lone Tree, CO
For most men, gynecomastia surgery can be an effective option for restoring body confidence. If you are interested in male breast reduction in Denver, please contact Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery through the form on this page or by dialing 303-706-1100 to schedule a complimentary cosmetic consultation. We happily serve patients from Denver, Lone Tree, and nearby areas in Colorado.
