06 Mar 2026 | by Sean Doherty, MD, FACS
While taste is individual, there are certain body contours that are generally desirable. For men, one of these is a smooth, flat chest. It is a look that has been associated with the masculine ideal since the times of ancient Greece and Rome. Not every man, however, is born with the chest that he desires. Gynecomastia is a medical condition in which excess glandular tissue, fat or a combination of the two results in “man boobs”. Genetics can play their part, but gynecomastia may also result from hormonal changes, medical conditions and lifestyle choices such as weight gain/loss and certain drugs. There are a number of effective gynecomastia treatment options, but the right one for you is going to solely depend on the underlying cause of the fullness in your chest. For this reason, understanding why you have gynecomastia is critical for determining the best course of action for improving your chest contour.
Gynecomastia Consultation in Boston
As mentioned, none of my male patients want a full look to their chest. But many, including very fit patients, have what is derisively referred to as “man boobs”. A conservative estimate is that 36% of younger men and over 57% of older men in the Boston area have some degree of gynecomastia. It is an incredibly common condition with a number of underlying causes. Figuring out exactly what is driving the fullness in your chest always begins with an in-person consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, such as myself, who specializes in gynecomastia. During our meeting, I will listen to what bothers you about your appearance. I’ll ask detailed questions about your medical history, family history and lifestyle choices. I will then perform a physical exam to assess:
• Degree & location of excess fatty deposits
• Presence, if any, of excess glandular tissue
• Skin laxity
It is important for you to be honest. If, for example, you’re taking certain recreational drugs or hair growth medications, stopping them could improve the problem.
Underlying Causes of Gynecomastia
There are a number of reasons why you may have a more full looking chest. Oftentimes, gynecomastia is a result of an imbalance between your estrogen and testosterone levels. If this happens during infancy or puberty, many will grow out
of it. For older men, however, this is not always the case. Other contributing factors for developing gynecomastia include:
• Certain medication or supplements
• Steroids or recreational drugs
• Liver, thyroid or endocrine disorders
• Weight fluctuations
• Lifestyle factors
• Genetics
In some cases, such as a man who is overweight, changes in diet and exercise could improve the situation. Or if you are someone who is takes anabolic steroids to improve your muscle mass, stopping the drug could flatten out your chest. For gynecomastia patients who don’t have an easy fix, there are effective aesthetic procedures.
Procedures to Improve Gynecomastia
The internet has become an incredibly positive resource for men with gynecomastia. This is a condition that causes a huge amount of shame and, historically, it’s been something that most men did not discuss, not even with their own doctor. But the web has allowed those with gynecomastia to realize that they are not alone, and that there are treatment options that can help. The only downside is that your computer cannot see your body. And when men read that gynecomastia treatment options include:
• Liposuction
• Male Chest Reduction
Men are going to want the former. However, liposuction alone is only a viable option for those patients whose gynecomastia is the result of excess fat only. If the fullness in your chest is due to the presence of too much glandular tissue then you are going to need a male chest reduction either on its own, or with the addition of liposuction if fat is also present. While I know that the idea of incisions on the chest is frightening, I practice precise surgical techniques that put as little tension as possible on the skin. There are also very good scar therapy treatments to further reduce your risk of a visible incision line. Furthermore, most men are so happy with their new chest contour that any faint incision line is well worth it.
To find out more about gynecomastia, 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.
