We recognize that gynecomastia—a common condition that causes male breasts to enlarge—has substantial physiological impacts that tend to be overlooked because, in most cases, they’re physically harmless.
You shouldn’t have to avoid certain social situations or limit your wardrobe. You deserve to live in the moment.
At Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery, we’re helping you reclaim your body and your confidence, so you can reclaim your life. Here’s everything you need to know about male breast reduction in NYC, including your treatment options, what to look for in a surgeon, and expectations for recovery.
Preparing for a Male Breast Reduction
In NYC, home to almost 4 million men, over half of them—2 million—have struggled or will struggle with gynecomastia. There are a lot of surgeons and kinds of surgeries out there, and they aren’t all equal.
Understanding Gynecomastia
To determine your best treatment option, we first have to determine the type and severity of your condition. Hormonal imbalances are the primary culprit for gynecomastia, as excessive estrogen can stimulate breast development. That’s why many males develop gynecomastia during puberty or in their 60s and 70s when their testosterone levels decrease; however, your hormones fluctuate at every age.
Beyond your hormones, other factors—some within and some beyond your control—can trigger gynecomastia, including certain health conditions, medications, drugs, lifestyle choices, and genetics. Hence why gynecomastia medications have limitations and don’t work for everyone.
→ Learn More About the Causes of Male Gynecomastia in NYC
Now, let’s explore the “levels” or “stages” of gynecomastia using the Cruise Classification System.
Cruise Type 1 or 2
As the mildest form of gynecomastia, Type 1 gynecomastia refers to minor breast and/or nipple enlargement. Sometimes, liposuction alone is sufficient, as this tissue is soft and “fatty” rather than “glandular.”
If the tissue is firmer and glandular (Type 2), liposuction cannot remove it. Instead—or in conjunction with liposuction—your surgeon will create a small incision around the border of your areola to remove the tissue and address nipple protrusion and minor skin laxity (sagging).
→Learn More About the Kinds of “Puffy” Nipple Surgery in NYC
Cruise Type 3 or 4
Because Type 3 and 4 gynecomastia result in dense excess breast tissue, even the most aggressive liposuction techniques—such as ultrasound, laser, and plasma-assisted approaches—are not enough. If you’re not dealing with excess, sagging skin, we may combine liposuction with a direct glandular excision, where we create a small incision around half of the areola (semi-circle) to remove the tissue without removing any skin. This small incision heals quickly, fading to a point where it’s barely visible.
If you do have excess skin surrounding your breast tissue, we may suggest a larger incision for your male breast reduction in NYC. The larger incision may be combined with a free nipple graft, depending on the extent of extra surrounding skin and tissue.
Cruise Type 4, 5, or 6
If you’re diagnosed with gynecomastia Type 4 or higher, we’ll need to remove breast and skin tissue. Many patients with gynecomastia classified as Cruise Type 5 or 6 develop severe sagging or “rolls,” in which case a free nipple graft may be the best option.
Severe gynecomastia can cause your nipples to stretch and move further down your chest. A free nipple graft (FNG) involves removing and reattaching the nipple as a skin graft. This approach allows us to further flatten and tighten your chest and reposition your nipples to the appropriate location, also minimizing scarring.
→ Learn More About Male Breast vs Male Nipple Reduction in NYC
→ The Differences Between Female and Male Areola Correction in NYC
Finding a Surgeon for Your Male Breast Reduction in NYC
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all surgery for gynecomastia, which means that you and your surgeon need to work together to find the right solution for you. Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery’s Dr. Brian Bassiri-Tehrani specializes in liposuction and breast reduction surgery in NYC—the two primary options for gynecomastia surgery. His extensive medical background isn’t all he has to offer; he has a passion for helping patients unlock their full potential on their terms, working as their partner.
→ See Dr. Bassiri-Tehrani’s Education, Awards, and Publications
Scheduling Your Consultation
When you work with a skilled breast surgeon in NYC, your journey should always start with a consultation. This is your chance to see the office and meet the team for yourself before committing to surgery.
You should trust the hands performing your procedure.
After openly discussing your situation—from your medical history and lifestyle to your budget and timeline—we’ll work together to craft your plan for gynecomastia surgery and schedule your procedure. In the meantime, we’ll give you a detailed list to prepare for surgery, including adjusting certain medications and avoiding alcohol leading up to the day of your procedure.
Combinable Treatments
When you invest in a male breast reduction in NYC, you deserve the best results and experience. Everyone’s struggles and aspirations are different, but some men opt to combine their surgery with liposuction to further accentuate their chest, making it more muscular and “masculine.”
If you’re looking to pair your surgery with non-invasive enhancements, we may recommend body contouring. Using state-of-the-art devices like TruSculpt Flex, we strengthen your muscles to offer lean body definition.
Scheduling Your Surgery
Once you and your surgeon have agreed on your plan for gynecomastia surgery, it’s time to schedule your procedure. We’ll help you find a time that works for your schedule and answer any questions you have about what to expect. Remember to arrange for transportation home from surgery, as you’ll need to avoid driving for the next 24 to 48 hours.
Because the procedure involves anesthesia, follow your surgeon’s directions for fasting beforehand. Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your procedure—as you’ll need to wear a compression garment afterward—and arrive early.
How Gynecomastia Surgery Works
Upon arrival for your surgery, our front desk staff will welcome you and lead you back to a private operating room. Here, we’ll help you get comfortable and review the process once again before administering your anesthesia.
Typically, the surgery takes between 1 and 3 hours, but this depends on the kind of surgery (liposuction and/or excision removal), the severity of your condition, your unique anatomy, and your personal treatment plan. We’ll provide a more accurate time estimate prior to your surgery so you can schedule accordingly.
Recovering from a Male Breast Reduction
In NYC, we’re leaders in breast surgery for men and women alike, so we’ve spent years perfecting our surgical techniques and aftercare instructions to streamline healing. Your surgeon will give you detailed directions, but here’s a general timeline for what you can expect during recovery. Remember, you can reach out to us at any point—that’s what we’re here for.
→ Dos and Don’ts for Recovering From Male Breast Removal in NYC
Week 1-2
Immediately after surgery, it’s important to prioritize rest. You should keep your compression garment on continuously—including while you sleep—for the first 48 hours. This will help reduce swelling, but in the meantime, we recommend intermittently icing the incision sites and taking pain medication to minimize any discomfort.
Bruising will likely begin to fade after about a week, but it’s still important to keep the area dry and clean to avoid infection; do not submerge the area underwater. If you have a nipple graft, it’s important to keep your bolster dressing on for about a week after surgery and to keep it clean and dry.
Week 3-4
Most patients can return to light physical activity at this point, but remember that you should still avoid intense cardio and heavy lifting until at least 4 weeks post-op.
Week 4-6
After the 6-week mark, you can expect to return to regular exercise and increased physical activity. You may still notice some nipple sensitivity, as the hundreds of nerve endings in this area make the nipple take longer to heal. Swelling will continue to subside, and your scars will fade over the following weeks, so you can expect to see your final results within about 6 months of surgery.
Book Your Consultation With One of NYC’s Finest Surgeons
Where you go for your male breast reduction in NYC determines your results and experience. Gynecomastia is a complex condition that requires unparalleled expertise to treat. Trust us, it’s best to get it done right the first time.
You should trust the person performing your surgery. Our team of NYC’s top plastic surgeons has the decades of experience needed to provide world-class transformations on your terms.
Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery does so much more than gynecomastia surgery; as specialists in men’s plastic surgery, we offer everything from scar revision to a nose job for men in NYC. If you’re still not quite sure which procedure is right for you, you can use our virtual procedure match tool to narrow down your options—anytime, anywhere—or reach out to us!
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