Gynecomastia

Negative Impact

Although both men and women have breast glands as a natural part of their anatomy, men’s breasts are typically small and protrude only minimally. However, throughout a man’s life, breast tissue may enlarge, leading to a condition known medically as gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia, affecting an estimated 60% of men and boys, is characterized by the abnormal growth and enlargement of male breast tissue, which can occur for various reasons at any age. Due to its physical effects on the body, this condition can have a significant and negative impact on a man’s self-confidence and psychological health.

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Condition Misconception

Lipomastia & Gynecomastia

People sometimes have the misconception that enlarged male breasts are a result of weight gain and believe that it can be easily controlled through diet and exercise, however, they are mistaking gynecomastia for another condition known as lipomastia; the development of fat in breasts caused by weight gain. Instead, the enlargement of glandular breast tissue defines gynecomastia and its development can be attributed to several causes including genetics, puberty, hormonal imbalance, or as a side effect to certain medications. Male breast enlargement is not a sign of “becoming female” and is a very common part of normal male development- often temporary.

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Procedures

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Effective Treatment

Surgical solutions are relatively simple and very effective.


You do not have to live with this condition if you wish to change it.

Unfortunately for male sufferers of gynecomastia, if signs persist beyond the teen years and do not naturally resolve, they also can’t be easily eliminated through dieting or exercise. At Avenue Plastic Surgery in Toronto and Whitby, we offer male breast reduction as the recommended and effective treatment option for gynecomastia. The final outcome of this procedure will be a flatter chest contour, and often improved self-confidence and quality of life. Toronto male breast reduction surgery can treat the following:

  • Enlargement of breast tissue
  • Sensitive breast tissue and nipples
  • A negative perception of body image and low self-esteem

What are the causes of gynecomastia?

As briefly mentioned, gynecomastia is a medical condition, typically be caused by a hormonal imbalance of male and female hormones. Increases in female hormones, or estrogen, typically trigger the enlargement of breast gland tissue. As both males and females have testosterone and estrogen naturally present, a temporary shift or imbalance of these can lead to physical changes.

A disproportionate spike of estrogen in the male body stimulates the growth of breast tissue and the relatively low presence of testosterone is insufficient for preventing this growth phenomenon. As a result, gynecomastia is a condition that most often occurs during periods of hormonal changes, such as during puberty or aging. When gynecomastia is caused by the imbalance of hormones during puberty, it is quite common for the issue to resolve itself within a couple of years.

Although the primary cause of gynecomastia is believed to be hormonal fluctuations, other medical conditions like hyperthyroidism, kidney or liver disease, and Klinefelter’s syndrome can promote its development. Furthermore, certain medications such as anabolic steroids, antibiotics, and Diazepam can lead to gynecomastia.

How is this condition medically diagnosed?

When a patient presents with suspected gynecomastia, they will often have swollen breast glands and breasts that are painful or tender. In some cases, gynecomastia may also cause nipple discharge. If these are sensations or symptoms that you are experiencing, it is important that you seek medical assessment.

male breast reduction

Male breast reduction surgery is the most effective solution for gynecomastia

Unfortunately, hard work, dedication to exercise and a healthy diet are inadequate for addressing and eliminating abnormally enlarged male breasts. The most effective solution for treatment of gynecomastia in Toronto is usually a male breast reduction surgery.

At Avenue Plastic Surgery, we offer cosmetic, surgical treatment for patients suffering from gynecomastia. A Toronto male breast reduction is a surgical procedure that removes excess breast tissue and fat through a very small incision or cannula. In some cases, excess breast skin will also be excised via small incisions to create “pecs” you can feel confident about. A firmly toned and well-defined chest is a key physical feature of masculinity and when weight loss, genetics, or aging cause the chest to store excessive tissue, it may lead to a man feeling less attractive. Treatment of gynecomastia with male breast reduction surgery is a cosmetic procedure that can truly redefine a man’s chest and restore confidence.

How Much Does a Male Breast Reduction Cost in Toronto?

A male breast reduction is a highly personalized procedure. The cost of your Toronto male breast reduction will vary based on the type of male breast reduction performed along with other factors. The average cost of a male breast reduction at Avenue Plastic Surgery is around $6,500 – $7,500. Financing options are available that can help make the payment process more manageable for our patients.

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Male Breast Reduction Process

A typical gynecomastia surgery will take approximately 1-2 hours to complete


What happens during a male breast reduction surgery?

A male breast reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure. Once the patient is asleep under general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, Dr. Golger or Dr. Romy will make an incision at the breast crease, at the areolar border, or in the armpit region, in order to access each breast. These incisions allow for breast reduction using liposuction alone with only a thin cannula, or, slightly larger incisions can be created to excise a larger amount of tissue and skin. Each procedure is approached with the patient’s unique situation and goals in mind. After successful elimination of excess tissue, the incisions are closed with dissolvable internal sutures and medical tape to keep the area clean. A post-op elastic garment is often used to minimize swelling and promote healing after liposuction.

Breast Augmentation Procedure

What happens after the surgery is complete?

Following a Toronto gynecomastia surgery, most patients feel slight tenderness and see mild bruising or swelling of the treatment area. The recovery is not usually described as painful but we do offer our patients prescription medications to help ease any discomfort.

When planning the recovery phase after surgery, we recommend our patients take 4-7 days off work. During this time, patients should be avoiding strenuous arm movements or exercise and continue light activity such as walking. More intense physical activities should be postponed until cleared by your plastic surgeon.

To assist with healing, patients are often advised to wear a supportive binder across the chest for 6 weeks.

It looks and feels somewhat like a large tensor bandage and can be hidden easily under clothing. The purpose of this garment is to reduce swelling and to help compress skin into its new shape, avoiding the formation of fluid pockets known as seromas. Light, lymphatic massages are a great addition to recovery care and can begin in the treated areas after 7-10 days, post-op. Finally, the scars will appear reddish and a little raised initially. However, throughout the first 3-6 months, scars can be expected to naturally fade and flatten. Your plastic surgeon can recommend additional methods for minimizing the appearance of scars.

The majority of recovery will take place within the first two weeks following surgery.

What are the safety concerns and risks associated?

As with any surgical procedure, there are inherent risks, which can be greatly minimized through comprehensive preoperative planning and postoperative care. During your meeting with Dr. Golger or Dr. Romy, we will discuss the safety considerations in detail as it pertains to your gynecomastia. The potential complications will generally include infection, hematoma, breast asymmetry, areola or nipple inversion, sensory changes, hyperpigmentation, excessive scarring, or unsatisfactory outcomes.

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