Exploring Gynecomastia After Weight Loss: Treatment and Procedure

Men with enlarged breasts often feel self-conscious about their appearance. While weight loss can target body fat and potentially reduce breast size, it isn’t guaranteed to get rid of the problem. Hormonal imbalances and other factors can still cause excess breast tissue in men, even after losing significant amounts of weight.

If this is something you struggle with, you’re not alone. With the right cosmetic treatments, you can get rid of excess breast tissue and have a more masculine chest.

What’s the gynecomastia/weight loss relationship? How can you treat the root of the problem? Here’s what you should know about gynecomastia and weight loss, along with ideal treatment options and cosmetic services.

What Is Gynecomastia?

You might be asking, “What is gynecomastia surgery? These cosmetic procedures can increase your confidence and improve your quality of life.

Gynecomastia refers to the development of excess breast tissue in men. It can happen at any age, but it’s most common during middle and older age (ages 50 to 70).

The gynecomastia/weight loss connection is often misunderstood. Gynecomastia and weight loss are related because of excess body fat’s effects on your hormones. Pseudogynecomastia, however, is the direct result of fat gain in your chest area.

Glandular Tissue vs. Fatty Tissue

Typically, around puberty, women develop far more glandular tissue in their breasts than men. This is because female breasts develop with the purpose of producing and excreting milk for babies. 

However, men struggling with gynecomastia may experience excess breast development in the chest area later in life, which can include the development of more glandular tissue.

Male breast enlargement can happen in one or both breasts. Pseudogynecomastia occurs when the enlargement comes from excess fatty tissue instead of glandular tissue. This means that even after fat loss, gynecomastia symptoms will still be present, while pseudogynecomastia can go away and leave behind excess skin.

Gynecomastia usually presents as a hard lump of tissue directly underneath the skin on a male chest. When compared with body fat, glandular tissue feels harder and more tender.

What Causes Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia can be caused by various medical conditions, hormonal imbalances, and general lifestyle factors. In some cases, the condition is genetic, although this is a rarer root cause. Most often, gynecomastia is caused by an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone.

Obesity is a strong risk factor in developing gynecomastia, thanks to the relationship between excess fat and hormones. Stored body fat may produce higher levels of estrogen and offset testosterone levels, leading to the development of male breast tissue.

Certain medical conditions (like thyroid-related disorders) and prescribed medications can alter these hormone levels as well. They may also cause weight gain, which can indirectly cause gynecomastia symptoms by increasing estrogen levels.

As you age, your testosterone levels decline, which can lead to estrogen becoming the more dominant sex hormone in your body. This may be why gynecomastia is most common during the middle and later years of life.

The Impact of Gynecomastia

This can be a tough sticking point in your weight loss journey. You may have expected the breast tissue to go away as you lowered your body weight, or you might mistakenly try to get rid of chest fat without realizing that it’s breast tissue.

Gynecomastia after weight loss can cause feelings of gender dysphoria (struggling to feel as masculine as you want to), as well as physical pain and discomfort. You may also feel stigmatized and embarrassed around other people.

Luckily, there are treatment options available for men looking to address gynecomastia symptoms post-weight loss. Besides living a healthy lifestyle, you can also opt for surgical treatment or body contouring.

Treating Pseudogynecomastia With Lifestyle Changes and Weight Loss

If your gynecomastia symptoms are actually caused by fatty tissue, you can potentially reverse the aesthetic impact through lifestyle changes. Healthy weight loss will help get rid of excess chest fat cells that lead to the appearance of so-called “man boobs.” 

Remember, this only applies in cases when fat gain is the root cause of gynecomastia symptoms.

Weight loss can induce positive hormonal changes that balance estrogen and testosterone levels in your body. This means you’re less likely to develop breast tissue in the future, as long as you maintain a healthy weight (and, therefore, healthy testosterone levels).

Eating a healthy, calorie-reduced diet and getting daily exercise will help you lose weight. As you lose excess fat, the chest muscles underneath will become more prominent and masculine-looking, especially if you strength train. Consider lifting weights three to five times per week to build lean muscle mass.

Any underlying conditions related to your hormones and metabolism must be addressed before you can undergo gynecomastia treatment. Otherwise, the problem will just come back. 

If you’re on a medication that’s causing weight gain, talk to your doctor about switching prescriptions. There may be alternative treatments that don’t affect your weight.

Gynecomastia Surgery: Get Your Chest and Appearance Back

If your condition hasn’t improved with lifestyle changes, it might be time to consider surgical options. There are two common surgical interventions for gynecomastia — liposuction and male breast reduction surgery. You can undergo both to enhance your appearance and get the chest contour you’re looking for.

Liposuction for Chest Contouring: Removing Fatty Tissue

Excess fat in your chest area can exaggerate the physical features of gynecomastia. If you already have too much breast tissue in this area, any extra body fat will only compound the problem. That’s where liposuction comes in.

Liposuction is a body contouring procedure that removes subcutaneous fat cells to contour, sculpt, and shape your body. This surgery does not remove male breast tissue itself, but it does serve as a great addition to your treatment plan.

During liposuction, your board-certified plastic surgeon will make small incisions near your chest and insert a special suction tube (cannula). This device will take out stubborn fat cells and contour your chest for a masculinizing effect.

Male Breast Reduction Surgery

The most common surgical procedure that addresses gynecomastia is breast reduction, or mastectomy. This is the surgery that removes glandular breast tissue to flatten your chest (excision). When combined with liposuction, it can help address chest fat and loose skin as well.

Male breast reduction is the best treatment for gynecomastia after weight loss. If losing body fat has not solved the problem, you likely have excess glandular tissue that needs to be removed.

What to Expect Before and After Gynecomastia Surgery

As you’re searching “gynecomastia surgery NYC,” you want to find out what’s going to happen before, during, and after your treatment. Here’s what you can expect during each step in the process.

Before Surgery

First, you’ll meet with your team of doctors so that they can get to know you and your medical history to determine whether you’re a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery. During the initial consultation, we’ll discuss your aesthetic goals and desired treatment plan.

You’ll need to get bloodwork done before surgery. This is routine and ensures that your team has the full picture of your health and hormone levels before operating. It also helps them plan your postoperative care.

You should stop smoking at least two to four weeks before your surgery is scheduled. You may also need to change or discontinue certain medications in the weeks leading up to surgery day. Consult your doctor before stopping any medications or supplements.

Operation Day

Wear comfortable clothing on the day of your operation. Bring someone who can drive you home after surgery, as you’ll be under general anesthesia during the procedure.

Depending on the complexity of your case, your surgery will last from one to four hours. You’ll wake up from anesthesia in the recovery room, where you’ll be monitored and prepared to go home.

You’ll be given post-op instructions to follow. Arrange for help with childcare and household chores for a few days to a week after your operation.

After Surgery

Use ice packs and wear your compression garments as instructed to relieve any pain or discomfort. Proper nutrition, hydration, and rest are crucial for your body’s recovery.

Many patients return to work around two weeks post-op. Don’t lift anything heavy or strain your chest muscles for at least four weeks after surgery. After about six weeks, you can return to your normal exercise routine (if your doctor has cleared you). Prioritize rest, nutrition, and hydration to help your body heal.

Gynecomastia Surgery in NYC at New Look New Life

At New Look New Life, we offer male surgeries NYC to treat gynecomastia and enhance the appearance of your chest. We’re here to support you in your aesthetic goals by providing a wide range of cosmetic services and procedures.

If you’re ready to transform your quality of life by addressing your gynecomastia symptoms, you’re in the right place. Book a consultation with the New Look New Life team of doctors today!