Gynecomastia means enlargement of the male breast. The definition has nothing to do with what causes the enlargement or what tissue it is composed of. It is most common around puberty and can involve one or both sides. Most commonly the enlargement is centralized in the breast but occasionally it is not. It is present to some degree in about a third of male population. The majority of cases are physiological or drug induced. Drug induced gynecomastia just requires cessation of the causative drug. If the gynecomastia is resistant to treatment or is the adolescent type but persistent surgery is required.

The type of surgery depends on the type of tissue contributing to the breast enlargement. The following is a case of a transgender or transsexual female to male. The procedure performed is the same as would be required for a genetic male born individual with severe gynecomastia. In such cases removing only the tissue under the skin is insufficient. One must also remove the excess skin and do so in such away that the chest becomes more male like in character i.e. a narrower areolar diameter, a smaller nipple and positioning of the nipple outside the mid breast axis. The result is the same in the born male with severe gynecomastia and the female to male transgender or transsexual patient.

This is a transgender transsexual patient who underwent mastectomy male breast reduction. The procedure is the same for born male patients who have severe gynecomastia requiring skin removal in addition to the tissue under the skin.

Mastectomy surgery can enhance your appearance and your self confidence. Realistic expectations are important to be happy with any surgery. As each patient is an individual, different results can be expected in each patient.