Gangnam Male Gynecomastia: What if Exercise Isn't Enough? Surgery Cost, Pain, and Scar Management Guide

Gangnam Male Gynecomastia: What if Exercise Isn't Enough? Surgery Cost, Pain, and Scar Management Guide

Hello. I am Dr. Kim Joo-won, the chief director of Melon Plastic Surgery, your breast specialist providing solutions for your chest.

Self-care for a great physique and style is now considered an essential element for a healthy life.

In particular, many men make strength training a routine to build a firm body. However, despite consistent effort, some may not feel satisfied with their physique. ‘Male gynecomastia,’ where a man's chest is rounded and soft like a woman's, falls into this category.

‘I do chest exercises, but my chest doesn't get firm.’‘My chest is rounded like a woman's; could it be male gynecomastia?’

Male gynecomastia refers to the phenomenon where a man's chest takes on characteristics similar to a woman's, also known as gynecomastia. It occurs when breast tissue, typically found in women's bodies, develops in men. People often mistake it for simply having fat on their chest.

If gynecomastia begins during puberty, it may disappear naturally within 1-2 years. However, if it persists into adulthood or starts after adulthood, it is better to seek medical solutions rather than expecting it to disappear naturally.

While it could be due to weight gain or fat accumulation, there is also a high probability of glandular tissue development. Therefore, if you are diligent with chest exercises but your chest doesn't firm up, you might suspect gynecomastia. Fat can be controlled with exercise or diet, but glandular tissue does not decrease with exercise.

Gynecomastia is a phenomenon where male breasts exhibit characteristics of female breasts. Therefore, the social and psychological pressure can be greater than the physical discomfort. If stress from gynecomastia is diminishing your quality of life, I strongly recommend seeking a medical solution.

Male Gynecomastia | Causes and Surgical Methods of Gynecomastia

The cause of gynecomastia can be found in hormonal imbalance.

Hormonal imbalance, where estrogen (female hormone) increases and testosterone (male hormone) decreases, is the most common cause, but family history, medications, and other factors also exist. Male gynecomastia is divided into true gynecomastia and pseudo-gynecomastia, based on what causes the breast enlargement.

In true gynecomastia, the breast enlarges due to an increased proportion of glandular tissue. This is usually accompanied by hormonal abnormalities. Pseudo-gynecomastia can occur in cases of overweight or obesity. The proportion of glandular tissue does not increase, but the fatty layer around the glandular tissue becomes hypertrophied, causing the breast to enlarge.

The presence of gynecomastia indicates the existence of glandular tissue, so surgery involves removing both fat and glandular tissue. Excessively accumulated fat is removed through liposuction, and the hypertrophied glandular tissue is also removed. For this, a small incision of about 2-3 cm is made around the nipple, and the glandular tissue under the areola is removed.

Male gynecomastia surgery, like female breast surgery, involves a detailed examination of innate and environmental conditions. Through thorough communication with the medical staff, the surgery is designed considering the natural breast line, the current state of gynecomastia, and the balance between the body and upper torso. It can be helpful to know that the surgical method may vary depending on body type, fat distribution, and the degree of chest muscle development.

Male Gynecomastia | Pain and Recovery

‘Does gynecomastia surgery hurt a lot?’‘When can I resume daily activities?’

Male gynecomastia surgery, like female breast surgery, can be performed and discharged on the same day.

Regarding pain, immediately after surgery, you may experience a dull ache or muscle soreness in the chest, but it is generally described as a level of discomfort. If you are holding onto concerns simply because you ‘feel’ it might be painful, it's a good idea to resolve your worries about pain through a consultation.

Regarding the recovery period, the speed of recovery can vary depending on the extent of removal, such as how much glandular tissue needs to be removed, and the amount of fat.

Normal daily activities are usually possible immediately after surgery. However, intense upper body exercises that heavily use chest muscles should be started only after a certain level of recovery has been achieved. Wearing compression garments and limiting strenuous movements also aids recovery.

Male Gynecomastia | How to Manage Scars and Surgical Details?

I sometimes encounter the idea that men might be less sensitive to scars. However, in the case of male gynecomastia, scars are definitely a consideration. Men often find themselves in situations where they take off their shirts, and since they do not wear bras, the likelihood of scars being noticeable increases. Therefore, whether a scar will remain and how prominent it will be can naturally be an important factor to consider.

In gynecomastia surgery, glandular tissue removal is performed through a micro-incision around the areola. The areola is an area of the body with darker skin than other parts. The incision usually follows the border between the areola and other body parts, so the likelihood of the scar being noticeable is low.

Concerns about surgery and scars are natural for anyone, so at Melon Plastic Surgery, we address these worries by monitoring scar reactions and tissue recovery after surgery. We implement management programs according to the progress at each stage and assist with the recovery process, including scar laser treatments.

Male Gynecomastia | What's More Important Than Cost: Surgical Design and Management

The cost of male gynecomastia surgery can vary depending on the extent of glandular tissue to be removed, the amount of fat, and the surgical method. When deciding on surgery, it is advisable to consider not only the cost but also the surgical design process and post-operative care.

Please check if the medical staff has experience with gynecomastia surgery. If glandular tissue is excessively removed or, conversely, insufficiently removed during the procedure, the chest may become sunken, or a protruding breast may remain. From the communication stage, a design that considers the ratio of glandular tissue and fat, and the balance between the breast line and the upper body, is necessary.

Post-operative care is also an important checkpoint. The recovery period is when the operated tissue stably settles. Management during this period significantly affects scar reactions and tissue recovery. Therefore, it is crucial to confirm whether systematic post-operative care is provided.

Also, check if the medical staff who performed your surgery directly monitors your progress. It is often difficult to easily determine whether male gynecomastia is due to weight gain or actual gynecomastia. If you are stressed by a feminized chest shape despite exercising, do not worry alone; communicate with medical staff to confirm whether it is gynecomastia. We will accompany you on your surgical journey to restore a balanced chest shape as your breast specialist.

Thank you.