Gynecomastia is the development of abnormally large breasts in males. It’s really more common than you may think, because it affects approximately 40-60% of men. Various drugs can contribute to large breasts in men, as well as certain medical conditions, but most cases of gynecomastia have no known cause. If you suspect the problem is caused by obesity, we advise that you lose weight first, to see if this will resolve on its own after weight loss. However, losing weight will not reduce the breasts if the problem is created by hormonal imbalance or other medical condition. We recommend that you discuss your condition with your primary physician to rule out any medical causes and, if this is a recent problem, we suggest waiting for a period of 6-9 months to see if the situation will resolve without surgery before scheduling your appointment.


Gynecomastia itself generally isn’t physically painful, but it can be very embarrassing. Often, parents first realize there’s a problem when a son suddenly becomes shy about his body. Perhaps he refuses to remove his shirt in gym or sports, or when going to the pool or beach. If that’s the case, it may be because he’s embarrassed by his “man breasts” or is being teased by the other boys. If you’re an adult with gynecomastia, you may feel uncomfortable working out at the gym or being in other social situations where your chest may be exposed.


Fortunately, there’s a solution for gynecomastia, which is a breast reduction procedure in which the fat and/or glandular tissue is removed along with any excess skin. This creates a flatter, firmer chest more in line with the preferred “look” of the male body. Like any procedure, healing and final outcome are slightly different for each individual, but most patients recover without any obvious scars after the procedure, which is done on an outpatient basis. The procedure itself is done under general anesthesia, with a very small incision made around the areola to remove extra tissue. Sometimes liposuction is also used. You may be asked to wear a vest for a couple weeks after the procedure to assist the healing process. We recommend no vigorous exercise for about two weeks following surgery.


Dr Krau is happy to meet with you to discuss your personal concerns about gynecomastia. Just call our office and schedule a private consultation.

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