Dr. Otto Placik is a board certified plastic surgeon who has helped thousands of men with gynecomastia improve the appearance of their chests. In addition to gynecomastia treatment, Dr. Placik offers a number of body contouring procedures for both men and women in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
Please contact us online or call our Chicago or Arlington Heights plastic surgery offices for more information on male breast reduction, including prices.
Gynecomastia is a condition in men that causes the size of the breasts to be larger than normal. It results from the enlargement of glandular tissues in the breasts due to a hormonal imbalance. For men with gynecomastia, there are higher levels of estrogen (female hormones) compared to the level of androgens (male hormones). The condition often occurs in infancy and during puberty but usually resolve on its own. However, there are times when gynecomastia carries on through adulthood.
For those who suffer from gynecomastia during adulthood, the results can lead to decrease self-esteem. Not many men are willing to be seen without a shirt and may refrain from enjoying the beach or pool, playing sports or changing inside locker rooms with friends. They may feel outcasted and even their intrapersonal relationships may suffer.
Men who are struggling with gynecomastia can enjoy a more masculine-looking chest and end the embarrassment associated with “man boobs” once corrected with surgery.
Gynecomastia surgery is a safe and simple procedure that reduces the size of male breasts by removing excess breast tissue and fat. Depending on the patient’s individual needs, gynecomastia correction surgery can either be performed in an outpatient or hospital setting
Thinking the condition may be the result of weight gain or excessive fat, many men who suffer from gynecomastia may turn to diet or exercise, only to see no changes in the size of their breasts. At this point, many men just give up, thinking they have to accept their fate and move on, but there is a solution to gynecomastia. Instead of dealing with the problem, the condition can be corrected quickly through male breast reduction surgery.
Dr. Placik is a board certified plastic surgeon in Chicago and an active member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He received his medical degree from Northwestern University where he also completed residencies in general and plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Read more >>Men or adolescent boys with overdeveloped breasts often endure emotional and psychological trauma as a result. With the aesthetic ideals of man is to have a strong, well-rounded chest, having man boobs can be difficult to deal with. Teen boys with gynecomastia can experience difficulty functioning socially and develop low self-esteem. For adult men, it’s not uncommon for this condition to affect intimate relationships and contribute to a poor body image.
Gynecomastia may be caused by a hormonal imbalance, and although the symptoms sometimes improve over time, medical intervention may be needed.
Gynecomastia can also be caused due current or previous use of steroids.
How surgery for gynecomastia will be performed depends primarily on what type of tissue is causing the breasts to become enlarged. When actual breast tissue is present in excess, surgical removal of the glandular tissue is necessary. However, liposuction can often be effective when excess fat is the main culprit of the enlarged breasts. Either surgical approach (or a combination of both) allows Dr. Placik to sculpt the surrounding chest area and restore stronger, more chiseled lines. Some men also elect to have liposuction performed on the stomach or flanks at the same time to create a more toned, athletic appearance throughout their entire upper body.
The diagram below shows how severe your gynecomastia might be. It’s important to understand that regardless your grade, you can still expect incredible results after male breast reduction surgery.
The following diagram illustrates several male breast reduction surgery approaches:
Male breast reduction surgery is performed under general anesthesia and typically doesn’t require a hospital stay. If surgical excision of breast issue is necessary, Dr. Placik will make every effort to keep incisions small and inconspicuous in order to leave minimal scarring. Incisions may be required in the areola, around the edge of the nipple or possibly in the underarm area. If gynecomastia can be treated with liposuction alone, then the incisions are so small that they may not even require stitches.
After surgery, you should expect swelling, bruising and some degree of discomfort. A compression garment may be required in the weeks following surgery to help control swelling and prevent fluid accumulation. Most men return to work and daily activities within a few days, but the final results may not be seen until healing is complete, which can take approximately three months. More strenuous activities and exercise should be avoided for at least 4 to 6 weeks after your procedure.
After male breast reduction surgery, men who are suffering from the effects of gynecomastia often enjoy a fuller life with a renewed sense of self-confidence.
In this video, Dr. Placik explains what can happen post breast reduction surgery and what to expect when it comes to swelling of the breasts.
The best candidates for male breast reduction have excess fatty tissue in their breasts that won’t respond to diet and exercise. Men should be in good overall physical and mental health and have realistic expectations for the results of surgery. Men with firm skin with good elasticity enjoy the best outcome because their skin conforms well to the chest muscles after reduction.
Men who are overweight should try to lose weight before having surgery because the breasts will sometimes shrink when body fat is reduced. However, men with true gynecomastia (where breast enlargement is due to excess glandular tissue, not just fatty deposits) may find that their breasts will be mostly unaffected by weight loss and medical intervention is the only solution.
Adolescent boys are the demographic most likely to develop gynecomastia, and hormone imbalances are usually to blame. The good news is that, for about 75 percent of boys with puberty-related gynecomastia, the symptoms will improve over time without the need for surgery as the body naturally restores hormone levels to normal. However, for teenagers who endure persistent gynecomastia, male breast reduction for teens can be performed at Dr. Placik’s discretion and with parental consent.
The cost of male breast reduction will vary based on the complexity of your procedure and which surgical methods are used. In addition to Dr. Placik’s surgical fee, the cost of surgery will also cover the fee for the surgical center and the anesthesiologist. Dr. Placik and his staff strive to provide excellent value and can help you with cosmetic surgery financing to make your procedure even more affordable.
Just as with any surgical procedure, there are some possible risks related to male breast reduction. Some complications that could occur include breast asymmetry, blood clots, infection, changes in nipple sensation, infection or a poor anesthesia reaction. However, for most men, the benefits associated with improving the appearance of the chest typically outweigh the potential risks.
Dr. Placik promises you his best possible care and attention. If you would like to schedule a private consultation to learn more about male breast reduction, please contact us online or call us at 847-398-1660.
Watch the video as double board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Placik, explains if patients need to receive any draining once they receive male breast reduction surgery.
To meet with double board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Otto J. Placik, you can request a consultation online or call our Arlington Heights office at 847-398-1660 or our Chicago office at 312-787-5313 to schedule your appointment. We look forward to meeting with you and helping you look your very best.
Disclaimer: Consumer information is not shared with third parties for marketing purposes.
Please take a moment to rate your experience with our team.
