Other than changing into our hockey pads for our beer league games, a Calgary winter doesn’t feature many situations where you need to take your shirt off around anyone other than your spouse or partner.

Phew. If you’re saddled with enlarged male breasts, you’re likely self-conscious about removing your shirt when around others. And that can make you turn down invitations, such as river rafting, that you would otherwise jump at the opportunity.

That’s no way to go through life.

Fortunately, Dr. Frank can help by performing male breast reduction surgery at his Calgary practice.

What is gynecomastia?

True gynecomastia is triggered by a decrease in the amount of the hormone testosterone compared with estrogen. This causes an increase in the amount of breast gland tissue in both teenage boys and men. Gynecomastia can affect one or both breasts or it can affect them unevenly.

This breast enlargement isn’t a serious health issue, but it can be embarrassing for a man. It can make a man avoid scenarios where he would be required to take his shirt off.

Gynecomastia can go away on its own, and it typically does in adolescents at the conclusion of puberty. This can also happen with adults if the changes in aging have created variations in testosterone levels. But in adults, the condition is often combined with some fatty tissue and glandular enlargement, so it may not fully resolve.

How is breast reduction done?

If the patient’s enlarged breasts are mainly the result of fatty tissue, Dr. Frank may be able to perform limited liposuction to remove this tissue, but if the patient has the rubbery mass of true gynecomastia liposuction won’t be sufficient.

In these cases, surgery is necessary. To avoid obvious scarring, Dr. Frank usually will make incisions around the areolae. He will then remove the glandular tissue, along with excess skin and fat. Liposuction may be included if the patient has an abundance of fat in the breasts in addition to the glandular tissue. The procedure usually lasts around 1-2 hours.

When can I get back to my normal activities after this surgery?

You can walk the day of your surgery with Dr. Frank. You can drive after a week. Most male breast reduction patients can return to work in 1-2 weeks. If you have strenuous work that involves your chest, this will need to be delayed. You’ll know when you’re ready to return to that kind of labor and to strenuous exercise. Pure chest exercises, such as lifting weights, will need to wait for probably about 6-8 weeks. Dr. Frank will discuss timelines with you during your consultation.

Are you embarrassed by your enlarged breasts? It’s probably not something you simply have to live with. Call Dr. Frank at (403) 245-1228 to schedule a consultation.

It’s not unusual for a woman with overly large natural breasts to seek to have reduction surgery. The reasons are often a mix of both physical and emotional, even social factors.

Conversely, while many men suffer from enlarged breasts, a condition clinically known as gynecomastia, few have the surgery with Dr. Frank to correct the problem. Instead, they simply avoid taking off their shirt or tolerate the “man boob” jokes from friends. That’s not good for anyone’s self-esteem.

It’s usually not simply due to weight gain

Gynecomastia, commonly known as abnormal male breast enlargement, is frequently associated with teenage boys. This is largely due to hormonal shifts around this period, as well as excess body weight gained throughout childhood. Recently, as the procedure has received more attention, older patients in their 50’s & 60’s have considered the procedure. The question is — is there a top age limit for male breast reduction? The short answer is — it depends.

There is no specific age limit in reducing the appearance of enlarged male breasts via surgery. Older men can still go through the procedure as long as they’re generally healthy and have no existing health issues that could potentially increase the risk of complications from anesthesia and the surgery itself.

Skin laxity can be a problem with breast reduction on older men. After the excess glandular tissue is removed, the skin needs to tighten down to its new slimmer contours. Otherwise, the procedure is somewhat pointless. So, when you’re in for your consultation with Dr. Frank, he will assess how elastic or inelastic your skin is. The maturity that comes with the passing years also allows older patients to have a more realistic view of this surgery and what it can, and cannot, improve. So, know that age alone is not a deciding factor in whether or not male breast reduction surgery would be effective.

The procedure

Male breast reduction surgery with Dr. Frank is not an overly difficult procedure. Under a general anesthesia, first, liposuction via tiny incisions is performed to remove excess fat. Excess breast glands may be removed through a tiny incision made beneath the areola (the dark portion of nipples). The procedure can take from two to three hours with initial recovery lasting two-4 weeks, with full recovery at about 6-8 weeks.

If you have enlarged breasts, you don’t have to “man up” and live with them. You may have gynecomastia and no matter what you do you can’t decrease your breasts. If you have questions, call Dr. Frank at (403) 245-1228 and set up a consultation for male breast reduction.

Most of us have a male friend with larger than normal breasts. You may have heard people call them “man boobs.” You may even have heard men with said breasts describe their own chests this way.

Most people just assume the larger breasts are simply due to weight gain. But in half the cases you’d be wrong with that assumption — around half of men with this condition have what is known as male breast enlargement, clinically known as gynecomastia.  It’s a condition that can really impact a man’s self-esteem, making him avoid trips to the lake or even taking off a shirt while out working in the yard.

Dr. Frank can address the condition with male breast reduction.

What leads to gynecomastia?

When adults develop gynecomastia, the causes are not always easy to pinpoint.

But in teenagers, gynecomastia is more the norm than not. Up to 70 percent of adolescent/pubescent boys have enlarged breasts to some degree. In teens, the cause is obvious: rampaging testosterone and estrogen levels. As these levels fluctuate wildly during puberty, so can breast size and other issues that are linked to hormone levels such as facial hair. These changes are temporary in most teens, resolving when they exit puberty.

In adults, middle-aged and older men can also develop enlarged breasts due to hormone changes that come with aging. But more often gynecomastia comes from taking certain medications. These are the medications known to have a link to gynecomastia:

• Antibiotics
• Heartburn treatment drugs
• Anti-anxiety drugs
• Steroids
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• AIDS treatment drugs

Heavy drinking and smoking marijuana can also lead to gynecomastia.

Breast reduction surgery

Men with gynecomastia have a firm, rubbery mass underneath the nipple area. The size of this mass is around 1.5 inches across and it may be sensitive to the touch.

If surgery is required, small incisions are made in the armpits or around the areolae. Through those incisions, excess fat and glandular tissue are removed and excess skin is trimmed. Dr. Frank may also include liposuction to remove fat pockets. If excess fat is the key, the patient may only need liposuction.

If you’re a man and you have larger than normal breasts, please call Dr. Frank at (403) 245-1228 to schedule a consultation.

Breast tissue is something that we expect to be soft and plentiful on the female chest. On the male chest, the breasts are expected to be slimmer, tighter, more toned. This is true even amongst men whom would not be described as athletic. The presence of excess tissue often leads to substantial loss of self-esteem. Men with gynecomastia often experience a sense of isolation, sometimes going so far as to try and hide excess tissue beneath tight undergarments or layered clothing.  This is why we are proud to provide gynecomastia surgery to the men of Calgary in a professional, friendly manner.

Addressing the Big Question

Judging by the immense popularity of gynecomastia surgery, there is very little question about the efficacy of this procedure. However, men may wonder about the longevity of their new body. Will gynecomastia surgery solve the problem of excess breast tissue for good? Is there a possibility that male breast tissue will return sometime after initial treatment? These are good questions and warrant a descriptive response.

In most cases, male breast reduction meets the objective of sculpting the chest, and also the objective of long term results. The needs of individual patients are met by our performance of a comprehensive consultation and initial assessment. Sometimes the issue is that too much tissue has developed in the breasts. Sometimes, the breast glands are part of the problem. By discerning the extent of involvement during the initial consultation, Dr. Frank can secure the best results for each patient. Now to possible reasons that male breast tissue may re-grow after treatment.

The list of risk factors for gynecomastia are no different for men who undergo initial treatment than for men who do not obtain treatment for this condition. The primary reason why breast tissue may expand is weight gain. Any man who gains a significant amount of weight is at risk for some of those fat deposits setting on the chest.

Secondary to weigh gain, but associated with it in many cases is an increase in estrogen-dominance. Hormone imbalance can occur for other reasons, including the natural progression of age and the onset of andropause. Yes, that’s a thing. Where weight is concerned, what men need to understand is that excess fat allows estrogen to soar. The more estrogen in the body, the less testosterone there may be. It’s a vicious cycle that should be avoided if at all possible.

Additional reasons that expansion of fat cells in the breasts may occur include the use of certain medications, of anabolic steroids, or of marijuana.

Contact our office in Calgary at (403) 245-1228 to discuss gynecomastia and your treatment options.

Typically, breast procedures are associated with women wanting a more feminine physique. For a number of reasons, men facing the constant, intense shame of gynecomastia have historically avoided talking about their condition. Today, a very precise breast procedure can help men with “man boobs” reclaim their confidence and sense of self.

Enlarged Breasts? It’s Not Your Fault!

Breast enlargement in men is often thought a problem of excess fat. While there is an overabundance of tissue in the enlarged male breast, true gynecomastia is more complex than being overweight. Men with gynecomastia are encouraged to attain a healthy weight. However, the idea that diet and exercise can solve the issue of enlarged male breasts is just not accurate. Such an idea places the blame squarely onto a man’s shoulders. When attempts to exercise breasts away fail, a man can become deeply depressed and hopeless to find a solution.

Dr. Ryan Frank offers men in the Calgary area hope. In our office, patients have a friendly and discreet atmosphere in which they can discuss gynecomastia with an experienced physician.

What is Male Breast Reduction?

Male breast reduction surgery, or gynecomastia surgery, may consist of one procedure or two. When the primary issue is excess fatty tissue in the breast, optimal results may be achieved with liposuction. Sometimes, enlarged breasts are the result of excess fat and glandular tissue. Breast glands may be removed with surgical excision. The precision techniques with which male breast reduction is performed optimize the final outcome while also minimizing post-operative discomfort. Most men are able to resume some of their normal activities within a week or two after surgery. The procedure leaves only minimal scarring in most cases.

Is Male Breast Reduction Right for You?

Men that are at a healthy weight are good candidates for male breast reduction surgery. To see if this procedure is right for your needs, schedule a consultation with Dr. Frank. During your visit, you have the opportunity to discuss your concerns and desired outcome with a physician who understands the emotional impact that enlarged breasts has had on you.

Gynecomastia can be resolved, leading you into a more confident you. Call (403) 245-1228 to schedule your consultation.