Gynecomastia in Washington, DC

More than half of all men suffer from gynecomastia, or an excess of breast tissue. Men with this condition often feel self-conscious and are uncomfortable going shirtless. At DC Cosmetics, we see hundreds of men each year for this condition and perform a custom surgery to create a sculpted, masculine chest structure.

What is gynecomastia?

Most gynecomastia is idiopathic, meaning that no cause for the condition can be isolated. Enlarged male breast tissue typically starts early in life and persists. Most men do not get treatment until later in life when they are financially independent, as the majority of insurance plans do not cover male breast reduction.

All men have glandular tissue, which is supposed to involute (gland cell death and tissue remodeling). In gynecomastia, this male glandular tissue persists and even grows. Ultrasounds to confirm the presence of glandular tissue as well as some hormonal tests may be necessary, but in many cases, a clinical diagnosis involving palpation and history is sufficient.

In cases where the condition has not changed for years, and the treatment is for cosmetic and confidence concerns, a medical workup may not be necessary. There are two forms of gynecomastia affecting the appearance of male breasts:

True gynecomastia: True gynecomastia is when a man suffers from enlarged glandular tissue that creates breast-like tissue growth on their chest
Pseudo-gynecomastia: In some cases, men suffer from a buildup of fatty tissue in their chests but don’t have the underlying enlarged glandular tissue.

Gynecomastia may be caused by hormonal imbalances, including natural hormone changes, medications, prescription drugs, recreational drugs, and alcohol.

Treatment for Gynecomastia

For moderate to severe cases of gynecomastia, Dr. Khalifeh favors a combination of liposuction combined with direct excision of the glandular tissue via a crescent-shaped incision for direct access to raise the skin uniformly, separating it from the glandular tissue to visualize the pectoralis muscle, and remove the glandular tissue. We offer both procedures under anesthesia and performed while you are awake under local anesthesia (numbing medication). Dr. Khalifeh does the majority of the cases under local anesthesia with mild oral sedation. The procedure takes typically around three to four hours to perform.

Before & After

Why choose Dr. Khalifeh for male breast reduction?

Dr. Khalifeh is one of the leading national providers of body contouring with Smartlipo, or laser-assisted liposuction. For men with an excess of fat, Smartlipo may be performed to produce a structured, masculine look to the upper chest. Other men may require both Smartlipo along with surgical excision of glandular tissue.

The psychological effects of gynecomastia

Many gynecomastia patients have been embarrassed about having larger breasts. Gynecomastia surgery is very rewarding to perform, as the procedure leaves men feeling far more confident, even shirtless. We have treated many men that finally sought treatment when they felt that the condition was inhibiting their self-confidence. Men often delay treatment because they aren’t used to thinking about getting “cosmetic surgery,” but male breast reduction is a simple procedure that can be life-changing.

Treatment for pseudo-gynecomastia

For cases when the majority of pinchable chest tissue consists of fat, we may be able to perform a full treatment using laser liposuction alone. Laser liposuction is only effective in mild cases, and we recommend it only in select instances in which Dr. Khalifeh believes it will accomplish the needed results.

How we treat gynecomastia

For moderate to severe cases of gynecomastia, Dr. Khalifeh favors a combination of liposuction combined with direct removal of the glandular tissue via a small incision and surgical removal. Both the liposuction and tissue removal can be done under general anesthesia or local anesthesia (numbing medication) based on patient preference and an evaluation of your condition. Most patients prefer local anesthesia with mild oral sedation. The entire procedure can take anywhere from three to four hours to complete.

Am I a candidate for gynecomastia surgery?

Following a male breast reduction procedure in Washington DC, you will have a flatter, firmer chest. During a male breast reduction procedure, Dr. Khalifeh removes the excess breast tissue and sculpts your remaining tissue, creating a more masculine appearance.

You should consider male breast reduction in Washington DC if you:

Feel self-conscious about your chest
Avoid removing your shirt
Wear baggy shirts to hide your chest
Have an uneven chest
Receive unwanted attention/harassment
Have difficulty finding clothing that camouflages the condition
Are in good health
Have gynecomastia that hasn’t changed since puberty
Are optimistic about improving your appearance
Are realistic about what to expect following your male breast reduction surgery

Your initial consultation

Before undergoing gynecomastia treatment, you will have an in-depth consultation with Dr. Khalifeh to ensure the procedure is right for you. You will need to provide him with your entire medical history and be candid about your lifestyle choices, as Dr. Khalifeh may be able to identify a possible cause for your excessive breast tissue.

Medications that can cause gynecomastia include anabolic steroids and estrogen. Lifestyle choices such as smoking marijuana and excessive alcohol consumption can also cause gynecomastia. If Dr. Khalifeh determines that one of your existing medical conditions, medications, or lifestyle choices is causing your gynecomastia, he may recommend a lifestyle change before undergoing male breast reduction surgery.

Benefits of gynecomastia treatment

Following your gynecomastia treatment at our Washington DC office, you may experience:

An increase in your self-confidence, which raises your self-esteem
Increased comfort wearing fitted clothing
Improvement in the balance of the shape and size of your chest

Recovery after gynecomastia treatment

Following your gynecomastia treatment, you can expect mild swelling, bruising, and temporary numbness in your chest. These effects usually subside within a week, though numbness can last up to six months.

You can expect to resume your usual activities within two to three days after surgery, and you will likely be able to return to exercise within one to two weeks.

Dr. Khalifeh will give you a compression garment to wear following your surgery, to be worn from one to two weeks after surgery. This garment supports your chest tissue while it heals and helps your skin adjust to the new contours of your chest.

Why choose DC Cosmetics for your gynecomastia treatment?

Dr. Marwan Khalifeh is a double board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience and thousands of successful surgeries and satisfied patients
DC Cosmetics is a premier plastic surgery center in the Washington DC area catering to both local patients and patients that fly in to take advantage of the skill and experience of our staff.
Our vast experience, affordable treatments, and the warm, approachable surgeon make our patients feel comfortable and ready for a new life
Our focus is on our patients, and if we feel that a more straightforward or non-surgical option will be better for you—we will tell you

Call us today

If you are considering gynecomastia treatment in Washington, DC, contact us today at (301) 244-0148 to schedule your consultation. We have offices in Chevy Chase, MD, McLean, VA, and Gainesville, VA.

FAQ

Will I have scars?

When excess glandular tissue is surgically removed, it requires incisions. The incisions are carefully placed so the surgical scars, once healed, are almost invisible.

How old do you have to be to undergo gynecomastia treatment?

We recommend waiting until you are at least 18 years old, and the hormonal changes of puberty have ended, though in some cases it may make sense to undergo this procedure at a younger age.

Does health insurance cover gynecomastia treatment?

Because gynecomastia treatment is considered cosmetic, most health insurance policies will not cover it.

Gynecomastia