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Pseudogynecomastia may present as “true” gynecomastia, but it has different causes and requires different treatments. The main distinction between pseudogynecomastia and gynecomastia is how the enlarged male breasts are formed.
What is Pseudogynecomastia?
Pseudogynecomastia or fatty gynecomastia is caused by weight gain and the accumulation of excess fat in the chest. Unlike gynecomastia, which is mainly caused by excess glandular tissue, pseudogynecomastia is mostly or completely made up of soft, fatty tissue that is not tender or painful. The size of the breast may fluctuate with weight loss or gain and individuals with this disorder are usually overweight to varying degrees.
Meet DR. DELGADO
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Delgado is an award-winning gynecomastia surgeon with 30+ years of experience treating some of the most complicated cases of male breast growth around the world. He is also the owner and operator of Gynecomastia.org, the largest gynecomastia forum in the world that has the goals of educating, supporting, and offering guidance to those men and families affected. Dr. Delgado is an expert in the field and donates his time toward both the treatment of gynecomastia and the advocacy of education in the surgical community.
VIEW FULL BIOTreatment Options for Pseudogynecomastia
Since pseudogynecomastia is caused by fat buildup, gynecomastia surgery or a full male breast reduction is not always necessary. There are a few treatment options you can try before resorting to surgical means:
Healthy Weight Loss
Since pseudogynecomastia is mostly caused by excess adipose (fat), invasive surgery may not be necessary to reduce male breast growth. In some cases, healthy weight loss via diet and exercise can improve the appearance of pseudogynecomastia. Upper body exercises and weight lifting will reduce fat tissue and tone the pectoral muscles to improve your chest contour for a more masculine appearance. If this is not effective, liposuction is the best option.
The Story of Three Men
Does Gynecomastia Surgery Last Forever?
Gynecomastia patients often ask the question ” Does my gynecomastia surgery results last forever?” The simple answer is that it rarely returns. There are, however, a few exceptions. Usually, the Gynecomastia condition is not a permanent situation. It typically appears during early adolescence and undergoes a series of stages of…
View PostLiposuction
Liposuction is a minor surgical procedure that uses a small tube (cannula) to suck out excess fat tissues and contour the treatment area. It can be performed under general anesthesia which will put you to sleep or local anesthesia which numbs the treatment area. The type of anesthesia used depends on the amount of fat being removed but most surgical pseudogynecomastia treatments can be done without general anesthesia.
Using liposuction alone for gynecomastia treatment cannot eliminate excess breast tissue so if you have true gynecomastia, male breast reduction surgery is necessary. One of the most common reasons men have revision gynecomastia surgery is because liposuction was used to treat their true gynecomastia.
Male Breast Reduction Surgery
For patients with excess skin, especially those who have undergone significant weight loss, male breast reduction surgery may be needed. The excess skin will have to be surgically removed but liposuction can be included in this procedure to further define and contour the chest for a masculine appearance. If you tried exercise and had no improvements in the appearance of your enlarged breasts, this may be the only option to successfully treat your symptoms. This is a sign that your breast enlargement is caused by excess glandular tissue, not fat.
Schedule a Consultation
Dr. Delgado has extensive experience treating gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia. If you are uncertain about which condition you have, he can give you an accurate diagnosis to develop the best treatment plan for you.