Debunking Gyno Myths

On-line chat forums addressing the condition of gynecomastia are extremely active and unfortunately convey a significant amount of misinformation. While I do not believe that there is any malicious intent to the transmission of incorrect information, it is nonetheless harmful to patients seeking to understand the condition.

As a Board certified Plastic Surgeon with an extensive experience in evaluating and treating gynecomastia, it is my privilege to offer the following corrections for some of the more prevalent misconceptions related to gynecomastia.

  1. Only women have breast tissue. This is patently false as both sexes have analogous organs. In the case of breast tissue, men possess rudimentary breast tissue that may proliferate during puberty as a matter of normal development. As a matter of further perspective, it is noteworthy that 1% of all breast cancers in the United States occur in men.
  2. Exercise and Diet alone can correct gynecomastia. Unfortunately, this is not true. Many men will build up the chest muscles to camouflage gynecomastia but what occurs is that the hypertrophic pectoralis muscle usually displaces the glandular tissue inferiorly and actually makes the gynecomastia more noticeable. While dieting and weight loss can result in modest reductions in the glandular tissue, it can never eliminate it.
  3. Surgery is Dangerous. Surgical correction of gynecomastia is a very safe procedure. Modern surgical techniques are less invasive and associated with smaller incisions than in the past. In the majority of cases, the procedure can be comfortable and effectively performed under local anesthesia and General Anesthesia is not necessary.
  4. Surgery is Associated with Long Recoveries. Using modern approaches – such as ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery), recovery from surgery is extremely streamlined. The vast majority of patients return to their ADLs (Activities of Daily Living) the day after surgery. Walking as an exercise is resumed the day following surgery. Low impact exercise may be resumed at 2-weeks following surgery and full gym activity is possible by 4-weeks. The majority of clients return to office-based work 2-3 days following the procedure.
  5. Surgery Results in Long Scars/Incisions: For the vast majority of clients, gynecomastia can be effectively treated using a Minimal Access approach and Stealth Incisions. These incisions measure about 4-5 mm and are usually in the intra-areolar position. Once-healed, they are imperceptible. Severe cases of gynecomastia (less than 5% of all casses) do require longer incisions.
  6. Drains are Required After Surgery: The vast majority of patients undergoing corrective gynecomastia surgery do not require drains. Minimizing drain usage is a component of ERAS.
  7. Results of Gynecomastia Surgery are Temporary: Correction of gynecomastia is permanent. Once the glandular tissue is removed, it will not recur. Like any body contouring procedure, changes in weight can affect the results over time but the gynecomastia itself will not recur.

If you have any comments regarding the above myths or my answers, please email your comments to reddyaesthetics@gmail.com.

Pravin Reddy, MD FACS

Pravin Reddy is Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon practicing in Atlanta, GA.