Gynecomastia

Conveniently located to serve the Greater Seattle Area

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Treating gynecomastia in Seattle helps patients restore masculine chest contours and can improve their quality of life. Gynecomastia, or “man boobs,” can affect men of all ages. In some cases, male breast enlargement goes away on its own after puberty. However, it can also extend into adulthood, giving males an unflattering chest shape.

What Is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a condition that causes men to develop enlarged breast tissue. Many men are embarrassed by this condition, especially when they are in situations that involve taking off their shirts, or when they wear fitted shirts. Depending on the severity of the breast enlargement, clothing doesn’t always hide the condition. Some try diet and exercise to try and reduce breast size with no avail.

Many men find that their self-esteem is affected by suffering from gynecomastia. While it’s possible that gynecomastia can go away on its own, or after any underlying health condition is resolved, in many cases it doesn’t resolve, and surgery is required to correct it.

If you are suffering from this condition, Dr. Won can help! She offers a consultation to anyone considering cosmetic surgery, especially for men living with gynecomastia in Seattle. She is happy to sit down and go over all of your options with you, based on your individual case.

Mild cases of gynecomastia may be able to be corrected with liposuction alone. However, in more severe cases, the breast tissue and loose skin needs to be excised. When this is needed, the nipples can also be repositioned so that they are in the correct placement relative to the new chest shape.

Enhanced Chest Definition

Male Breast Reduction

Male Breast Reduction

During male breast reduction surgery, anesthesia is administered. Incisions are then created. Incision pattern and size vary depending on the amount and type of tissue to be removed.

Next, Dr. Won can eliminate a small amount of excess fat via liposuction or, alternatively, she will remove the excess, skin and breast tissue using surgical excision. If necessary, the areolas are resized, reshaped, or moved. On average, male gynecomastia surgery takes one to two hours to complete. The pectoralis muscles are left in place so they will be more defined after the surgery is completed. After the recovery process, men will still be able to use exercise to strengthen and tone the chest muscles to enhance their masculine form.

During surgery, the excess fat and breast tissue is removed, but the pectoralis muscles are left in place so they will be more defined after the surgery is completed. After the recovery process, men will still be able to use exercise to strengthen and tone the chest muscles to enhance their masculine form.

Causes

Gynecomastia is often caused by underlying hormonal problems which usually consist of imbalances between Testosterone and Estrogen. Gynecomastia can occur in puberty due to hormonal fluctuations but is most common in men between the ages of 50 – 80. In fact, one in four men in this age group develop the condition!

Additional reasons gynecomastia can occur in men include:

  • Underlying hormonal problems which usually consist of imbalances between Testosterone and Estrogen. Gynecomastia can occur in puberty due to hormonal fluctuations but is most common in men between the ages of 50 – 80. In fact, one in four men in this age group develop the condition!
  • Obesity
  • Weight loss which can create “sagging” breasts consisting of fat pockets and sagging skin
  • Thyroid imbalances
  • Hypogonadism
  • Some prescription drugs
  • Anabolic steroids
  • Excess alcohol use

The problem is that in many cases, even after the underlying cause is addressed and corrected, men can still be left with excess breast tissue.

Fortunately, Dr. Won can correct this condition for you so that you are looking and feeling like your old self again!

Are you a Candidate for Cosmetic Surgery?

Not everyone is a candidate for cosmetic surgery. For example, teens will need to finish going through puberty and its related hormonal fluctuations before seeking care. If you are in the process of losing weight, it is best to wait until you have reached your goal weight before undergoing any kind of cosmetic procedure. The reason for this is that weight fluctuations can affect the long-lasting benefits that are gained from having cosmetic surgery. If you’re not currently overweight and believe your gynecomastia condition may be from something else, it’s best to speak with your primary care doctor in order to treat the root cause. Additionally, if you are currently a smoker, you will need to stop completely prior to undergoing any type of procedure since smoking can affect both the healing process and the results gained from a procedure. Also, it is important that you have a positive attitude and a realistic outlook about what surgery can do for you. An unhealthy lifestyle and poor overall health and fitness can wreak havoc on your appearance.

Your Consultation

To determine if male breast reduction is suitable for your case, a physical examination will be performed during your consultation. Photographs may be taken for before-and-after comparison.

Your medical history will be reviewed, including current medications and pre-existing conditions. If you have known allergies, especially to medications and anesthesia, make sure to mention these to Dr. Won.

During your consultation with Dr. Won, she will go over what will be required to get the desired results that you are looking for and advise you on what to expect during the recovery process. Questions are encouraged.

Recovery After Gynecomastia Surgery

Since male breast reduction surgery is an invasive procedure, you may need some time for recovery. It could take one to two weeks to recuperate from this surgical procedure.

Bruising, swelling, and tenderness will be experienced. You may be prescribed pain medications to alleviate the discomfort.

You will need to take time off from work and must avoid strenuous activities for several weeks. Do not lift your arms above your head. Engaging in light movements is recommended during recovery.

While initial results are noticeable immediately, it could take three to six months to see the final results of your gynecomastia surgery. This is in part due to gradual amelioration of swelling in the area.

Choosing the Right Surgeon

For such a delicate and complex procedure, it’s vital to select a board-certified cosmetic surgeon with the proper amount of training and strictest commitment to patient safety: Dr. Alvina Won. Every single day in the operating room, she gives her patients confidence-boosting results. Not only that, but Dr. Won is a top leader in her field, having written numerous publications and presented on multiple surgical and medical topics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gynecomastia Surgery Painful?
Your surgery will be administered with the aid of anesthesia so that you are completely comfortable throughout the process. Tenderness and some other mild discomfort may be felt during recovery, which can be mitigated by avoiding intense exercise until otherwise directed.

Will My Insurance Cover Gynecomastia Surgery?
If your condition is causing you excessive pain and/or hampering your mobility, it’s possible that insurance will cover the surgery. However, cosmetic procedures are very rarely covered. We recommend contacting your insurance provider about your specific plan for more details.

Cost of Gynecomastia Surgery

The cost of gynecomastia surgery depends on the complexity of the procedure. Our individualized patient approach ensures each treatment plan is catered specifically for each client’s needs. The overall price may be impacted by anesthetic and surgical fees.

Contact Us to Find Out More

Reduce the enlarged appearance of your chest with surgical treatment for gynecomastia in Seattle. Contact Dr. Alvina Won Cosmetic Surgery today to schedule your consultation.

Your gynecomastia will be performed at Eviva Surgery Center located in Shoreline

Before & After