MALE BREAST REDUCTION
RESTORE DEFINED, MASCULINE CHEST CONTOURS WITH GYNECOMASTIA SURGERY IN ST. LOUIS
Gynecomastia is a common condition that can affect men of all ages. This condition can often impair self-confidence and cause emotional discomfort. Male breast reduction at St. Louis’ West County Plastic Surgeons or gynecomastia surgery involves the surgical correction of overdeveloped or enlarged breasts in men to provide flattered, sculpted, and enhanced chest contours. Male breast reduction surgery can help you feel more confident and boost your selfesteem.
Would you like to find out more about male breast reduction? Contact our St. Louis West County Plastic Surgeons office for more advice. Call us at 314-996-8800 or send a message online.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is overdeveloped male breast tissue. This condition is commonly characterized by excess localized fat, excess glandular tissue development, and excess breast skin, or feminized breasts that droop downward, but there are a wide range of possible appearances. Men who have this condition might even avoid certain physical activities to hide it. For men who feel selfconscious about their "man boobs," male breast reduction can help them eliminate embarrassing excess breast and fatty tissue and reveal the masculine pectoralis muscle definition underneath. Sometimes gynecomastia goes away on its own but in many cases surgical intervention may be required. West County Plastic Surgeons performs male breast reduction for gynecomastia at our St. Louis practice.
What Causes Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia most commonly affects adolescents and young men, but it usually goes away after about two years. If it does not, then it should be evaluated and treated. Elderly men also acquire this condition, though for different reasons. Most cases are sporadic and not the result of a medical problem; however, because gynecomastia can be associated with abnormal hormone production, patients should first be evaluated to rule out masses in the testicle or the pituitary gland.

See more before-and-after of male breast reduction photos of results: Click here
What are the Best Treatments for Gynecomastia?
How Is Gynecomastia Treated? Certain medicines that can stimulate or chemically resemble male hormones may also cause excess breast tissue in men. If an underlying cause is identified, an endocrinologist should first treat that cause. Following careful medical evaluation, the condition can be treated with ultrasonic-assisted liposuction alone or combined with surgical removal of excess skin. The decision about how to treat, either with VASER® ultrasound-assisted liposuction or with skin removal, depends on how much excess breast tissue and skin are present, and how fibrous the fat is in the male breast.
The VASER LipoSelection® system uses ultrasonic energy to liquefy fat cells in the targeted area. The VASER® cannula emits ultrasonic energy that allows the surgeon to selectively "liquefy" fatty tissue, resulting in less thermal damage and swelling than alternative procedures. This technique is often used for treatment of dense areas of the body and is ideal for male breast reduction.
What is Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
Male breast reduction surgery decreases the breast size in men. This treatment is effective for enlarged male breast tissue. One of the most in demand forms of cosmetic surgery for men in 2024, male breast reduction surgery is expected to grow in popularity for men in 2025 and projected beyond.
You may be wondering, “Is male breast reduction worth it?” or “What are the benefits of male breast reduction?” Male breast reduction surgery helps you to restore a more naturally masculine appearance to the chest. It involves the removal of excess fat and glandular tissue. This makes the contour of the chest look flatter, firmer, and more masculine. The overall contour and shape of the chest can be improved, giving your torso a more defined and sculpted appearance. Excess skin may be removed. The position and size of the areola can also be improved.
Many men who have male breast reduction feel more confident and comfortable with how they look, and may have an increased desire to socialize. They may feel more confident with their appearance when they’re wearing a t-shirt or swimsuit. Patients may feel more comfortable revealing their chest contours whether clothed or not.

Dr. Terry Myckatyn and
Dr. Marissa Tenenbaum:
Trusted. Experienced. Committed.
To learn about which procedure is appropriate for you, view this figure:

To learn how ultrasonic liposuction is used to treat excess male breast tissue, view this figure:

To learn how to treat gynecomastia that includes both fibrous tissue and a disk of tissue under the areola, see this figure:

To learn how to treat a large amount of male breast tissue or skin excess – such as after significant weight loss, see this figure:

Discover more about male breast reduction at St. Louis’ West County Plastic Surgeons. Call us at 314-996-8800 or send a message online to schedule a consultation.
Who is a Good Candidate for Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
Why do men get breast reductions? How do I know if male breast reduction surgery is right for me? These are some of the major concerns many patients have. Male breast reduction surgery is ideal for men who would like to enhance their chest contours. The best candidates for male breast reduction include men whose condition cannot be addressed through alternative medical treatments, healthy patients who do not have a life-threatening illness or other serious medical conditions that impair healing, non-smokers, non-drug users, men who have a positive outlook and realistic goals for how their physical symptoms can be treated, men who are of a relatively normal weight, men who are over the age of eighteen with stabilized symptoms, and those who bothered by the feeling that they have too much breast tissue.
What Does the Male Breast Reduction Procedure at West County Plastic Surgeons Involve?
Another question you might have is, “How does male breast reduction work?” or similarly, “How long does male breast reduction take?” Male breast reduction surgery is usually performed with the patient under general anesthesia. It can take around one to two and a half hours, depending on the extent of the problem.
What is the Average Recovery Associated with Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
Our patients who are planning this procedure will undoubtedly want to know, “What is the recovery time for male breast reduction surgery?” Patients can expect to return to work 7 to 14 days following surgery, depending on the degree of gynecomastia, and they should avoid vigorous activities for 3 to 4 weeks. Visible bruising or swelling should resolve within 2 to 4 weeks. A compressive garment to reduce swelling is placed right away after male breast reduction surgery and should be worn as much as possible for several weeks.
To learn how to prepare for male breast reduction surgery and what to expect afterwards, click here to download our patient instructions.
Before & After
Visit our Photo Gallery to see our patient results.
*Results may vary.
View Patient ResultsOur male breast reduction patients in St. Louis report the following common side effects: bruising, swelling, tiny concealed scars, and some numbness and itching in the treated areas. If seromas, or collections of fluid under the treated area, develop, your surgeon will place drain tubes for a short time following surgery. Click here to download a detailed consent form from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons that lists the risks and benefits of this procedure.
What is the Aftercare for Male Breast Reduction?
We will provide detailed instructions for how to care for yourself at home after male breast reduction. We may also prescribe specific medications to support healing and reduce the risk of infections. Avoid lifting or carrying heavy objects or reaching your arms above your head.
Why Choose West County Plastic Surgeons for Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
At West County Plastic Surgeons, our male breast reduction patients have access to leading innovators in the field of plastic surgery. Dr. Terence Myckatyn serves as Director of Cosmetic and Breast Plastic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, specializing in all forms of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Dr. Marissa Tenenbaum also performs all forms of cosmetic surgery and breast reconstruction, employing techniques acquired through working with some of the most respected cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons in the country. Our practice offers a patient-friendly atmosphere and a university medical-school reputation for cutting-edge techniques and technologies that lead to optimal results and patient satisfaction.
What Are Some Alternatives or Complementary Options for Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
Some of our patients who are overweight or who have lost a considerable amount of weight elect to combine male breast reduction with post-weight loss body-contouring procedures. If excess breast tissue and skin have developed in response to weight gain, then diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle are the first and best steps toward treating the condition. If they have developed following weight loss, they are usually accompanied by loose skin in other places, including the trunk and arms. West County Plastic Surgeons performs many procedures to help patients look their best following weight loss or weight-loss surgery that may complement male breast reduction. These include lower body lift and medial thigh lift to enhance the contours of the lower body, and a brachioplasty to improve the shape of the upper arms. Male breast reduction can be performed with other procedures efficiently and safely in our St. Louis surgical center.
Ready to learn more about male breast reduction in St. Louis? If you have questions or would like to request a consultation with one of the surgeons at West County Plastic Surgeons, please call (314) 996-8800 or send a message online.
