Gynecomastia is the surgical correction of overdeveloped or enlarged breasts in men or boys. This can sometimes be cause by a hormonal imbalance or by certain medications. In most cases, gynecomastia is not a serious problem, but from an emotional standpoint it can be difficult to face. Although it typically goes away on its own, gynecomastia may persist, in which case surgery to reduce the size of the breast can be an effective option.
This procedure can be performed in several ways depending on the size of the breast.
Liposuction - In some cases, liposuction alone can be effective at reducing the size of the breast.
Periareolar incision - Sometimes a small incision around the areola is performed to remove excess skin.
Wise-pattern incision - Occasionally, a full wise-pattern or "anchor" incision is recommended to remove skin and tissue. This is an incision around the areola, a vertical incision down the center of the breast and a horizontal incision at the base of the breast.
A drain may be placed at each breast and removed 1 week after surgery.
Gynecomastia surgery is rarely covered by insurance and is often a cosmetic self-pay procedure.