10 Dec 2025
Gynecomastia is something that many men are loath to discuss. Defined by an excess of fat, glandular tissue or both, the condition results in what is commonly referred to as “man boobs”. Since a smooth, flat chest is generally a universally desired male aesthetic, gynecomastia is physically not the ideal which may result in emotional distress. My gynecomastia patients will often talk about feeling uncomfortable exposing their chest at the gym or beach, that they avoid certain clothes such as t-shirts and often find themselves saying “no” to social engagements because they feel self-conscious. In short, gynecomastia can negatively impact a man’s quality of life. However, many men have historically been reluctant to seek help due to a misplaced sense of shame. There is no need to feel embarrassed. Furthermore, gynecomastia is really common, affecting up to over half the male population in Boston. There are also options for improving the appearance of your chest. You may have even gone online to investigate what others have done. The web can be a great educational tool, but it may also lead to confusion about which treatment option is best. How do you know if you need gynecomastia surgery? You don’t which is why the first step in rejuvenating your chest is scheduling an in-person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, such as myself, with considerable body contouring experience.
Gynecomastia Consultation in Boston
As mentioned, the internet has been a boon for all my aesthetic patients. It’s been particularly helpful for my male patients who prefer the idea of researching options in the privacy of their own home. With gynecomastia, it’s been a nice way for men to realize that they are not alone and that there are viable treatment options. The downside to online research is that its indiscriminate. In order for a treatment plan to be effective, it has to fit your:
- Anatomy
- Lifestyle
- Needs
During our meeting, I will ask a number of in-depth questions about your medical history, family history and lifestyle choices. It’s really important that you be honest about the latter. One of the potential underlying causes of gynecomastia can be certain common drugs such as:
- Marijuana
- Hair growth medications
- Anabolic steroids
- Ulcer medicines
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Antibiotics
In some cases, stopping the drug may decrease any fullness in your chest without having to take any further steps. I will also perform a thorough physical exam to determine if your gynecomastia is due to excess fat, too much glandular tissue or both. Sometimes, a patient’s excess fat may be treatable with changes in diet and exercise. For others, however, it may not. This is why even my super fit patients are not immune to gynecomastia. My goal when assessing your needs is to always start with the least invasive, most effective approach for your individual anatomy and desired outcome.
Understanding Liposuction & Gynecomastia
I can say with certainty that if you’ve gone online to research gynecomastia, you are going to come in to see me asking for liposuction. It is the human nature of most men to want the least invasive option. I get it, but sadly, liposuction is only a viable stand-alone option if the fullness in your chest is the result of excess fat alone that is resistant to changes in diet and exercise. In my experience treating gynecomastia, which is extensive, this is not the predominant characteristic with my patients. Typically, if a man is bothered enough by his man boobs to come talk to me, it is commonly due to a combination of fat and glandular tissue. And this is the delineating line in determining whether or not you need gynecomastia surgery.
What is Gynecomastia Surgery?
Gynecomastia surgery is a male chest reduction. It involves some type of incision through which I remove the extra glandular tissue in order to re-sculpt your chest into its ideal proportion. The thought of any kind of incision on the chest is a turn- off for most men. No one likes the idea of a scar in such a visible and sensitive area. I pride myself on my precise surgical technique that places as little strain as possible on your tissues as this is what can contribute to a raised line. Furthermore, scars on the chest heal really well, and there are a myriad of very effective scar treatment options such as topical silicone gels and lasers. All of this to say that your fear may be unrealized. This is another reason why I encourage you to book an in-person consultation as it will give us the opportunity to review the outcomes from other patients whose condition resembles your own so that you can see real world results. In conclusion, lifestyle changes can help reduce overall fat and liposuction can contour fat-based fullness. But true gynecomastia requires surgical removal of the glandular tissue. My job is to create the appropriate customized plan to ensure that you achieve a natural, masculine and confident result.
To find out more about gynecomastia surgery, liposuction or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Chestnut Hill office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.
