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BOSTON PLASTIC SURGERY
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BOSTON PLASTIC SURGERY
Gynecomastia can make an otherwise athletic upper body look round, soft, or “puffy” at the chest. When training and weight changes don’t shift that shape, gynecomastia surgery can be the most direct way to flatten the chest contour and restore a more masculine profile.
Clareo Plastic Surgery provides private, straightforward male breast operations in Boston designed to create natural, balanced proportions. During a one-on-one consultation, a board-certified plastic surgeon will evaluate what’s creating the fullness — whether fatty tissue, glandular tissue, skin, or a combination — and outline a plan that fits your goals and recovery timeline.
Gynecomastia is the enlargement of male breast tissue that changes chest contour. It may:
For many men, the frustration is that the chest doesn’t behave like the rest of the body. You can be lean, lift consistently, and still have a rounded area that reads as breast tissue rather than muscle.
Two patterns affect treatment. “True” gynecomastia involves firm glandular tissue that won’t respond to diet or exercise, while “pseudo” gynecomastia is fullness driven mainly by fat. Many men have a combination, which is why an exam matters before choosing any procedure.
Males have breast structures behind the nipple area that typically stay small and flat. When hormonal signals change, that tissue can enlarge, and fat may also accumulate.
Skin quality matters too. If skin is tight, removing tissue typically yields smooth results. If elasticity is poor due to weight loss, aging, or long-standing fullness, your plan may need to address excess skin so the chest doesn’t look loose afterward.
Gynecomastia is often physiological, meaning it can happen without a clear disease process. Hormones, medications, substances, or certain health conditions can also trigger it.
Common contributing factors include:
Other contributors include certain prescription medications (such as antidepressants, heart medications, and hormone-altering drugs) and medical conditions that affect hormones or metabolism. If there’s a health concern in the background, addressing it first helps you determine the right timing for a procedure.
Never stop a medication on your own. If you suspect a potential trigger, coordinate changes with the doctor who prescribed it.
Many cases relate to the balance between testosterone and estrogen activity. Low testosterone, endocrine disorders, and some medications can tip that balance in men who are more sensitive to hormonal signals in breast tissue.
If symptoms suggest a broader hormone issue — fatigue, libido changes, or unexpected body changes — your surgeon may recommend coordination with your primary doctor or an endocrine evaluation. That step supports stable, long-term results.
Many men describe gynecomastia as “stubborn” chest fullness that doesn’t match the rest of their physique. Puffy nipples that show through shirts are common, especially in lean individuals.
Some common signs are:
If you notice rapid growth, significant pain, nipple discharge, or a distinctly hard mass, seek prompt medical evaluation.
Physical change is only part of the story. Many men adjust their lives around their chest: choosing loose shirts, avoiding the pool, skipping fitted athletic tops, or feeling self-conscious in changing rooms.
Gynecomastia can also affect dating confidence and intimacy. A good treatment plan respects that reality while keeping goals realistic: a flatter contour that looks natural, not surgical.
Surgeons describe severity based on the amount of tissue present and how the skin behaves.
Grading helps connect anatomy to technique. Some men need mostly liposuction; other cases might call for direct tissue removal, or even skin excision to avoid laxity after correction.
If fullness is mostly due to fat, weight management and upper-body training may improve contour. If a medication, supplement, or substance is contributing, changing that trigger under medical guidance can help in some cases.
Non-surgical options can’t remove established glandular tissue. When firm tissue is driving the shape — or when you want a predictable, permanent change — gynecomastia surgery is usually the most reliable path.
In general, results are best when patients are physically healthy and at a stable weight. If anabolic steroids or marijuana use is ongoing, or if a teen is still growing, fullness may continue to change after a procedure. In those situations, the plan may be to stabilize first, then revisit treatment once the body is more consistent.
Clareo offers bioidentical hormone optimization using EvexiPEL® pellets for adults, addressing symptoms of hormone imbalance and overall wellness.
It’s important to be clear: hormone therapy does not dissolve established breast tissue. If the main issue is a firm disc behind the nipple, surgery is what changes the contour directly.
Selecting the right practice supports natural results and a comfortable experience from consultation through recovery. Clareo Plastic Surgery focuses on personalized care that combines surgical precision with subtle, proportionate improvements, helping patients feel informed and confident throughout the process.
At Clareo, male breast reduction is performed with careful attention to each patient’s anatomy and goals.
Our board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Michael Tantillo and Dr. Christopher Lee, craft procedures to enhance chest contours, refine pectoral definition, and correct minor irregularities. Their expertise supports a balanced, masculine result that looks natural and harmonizes with the body’s overall proportions.
Gynecomastia correction typically combines liposuction to remove excess fat with direct excision of firm glandular tissue when needed. In some cases, minor skin removal is also performed to achieve smooth, natural contours.
The goal is a flat, masculine chest with gentle transitions into surrounding areas. Enough tissue is removed to correct projection while preserving natural thickness beneath the nipple, avoiding a hollowed appearance. Mild cases require subtle adjustments, while more advanced cases may involve skin management and symmetry refinement.
Liposuction targets fatty fullness and helps shape the chest around firmer tissue. Small incisions allow for precise fat removal and smoothing of the chest surface.
In mixed cases, liposuction defines the edges of the correction, ensuring the result looks natural whether clothed or shirtless.
When true gynecomastia is present, excising glandular tissue ensures a lasting correction.
Clareo commonly uses a small incision along the lower border of the areola, allowing glandular tissue removal and liposuction through the same access point. This approach flattens the chest and enhances a masculine contour while maintaining natural proportions.
Some men seek more than reduction; they want defined, athletic-looking pectorals. For select candidates, Clareo can use fat transfer to add subtle volume to the upper chest after gynecomastia correction.
This uses your own fat, typically harvested via liposuction. It can improve symmetry and definition, especially in lean individuals, but it won’t replace the look of years of heavy training. The right plan strikes a balance between definition and natural results.
Clareo’s surgeons have specialized expertise in such techniques, including the Male Muscle Makeover — an advanced approach that strategically adds volume to create athletic chest definition while maintaining proportionate, natural-looking results.
In more advanced cases, excess skin might be the main issue. This is common after major weight loss or when skin elasticity is limited. Removing fatty tissue and glandular tissue alone may leave looseness or folds.
Skin excision reshapes the chest to a more masculine position, usually requiring longer incisions. Clareo places scars discreetly while focusing on achieving a natural, proportionate contour, both when clothed and shirtless.
Some men who have had prior gynecomastia surgery remain dissatisfied due to residual tissue, over-resection under the nipple, asymmetry, or surface irregularities.
Revision surgery requires careful planning because scar tissue can affect healing. Depending on the issue, correction may involve targeted liposuction, scar revision, or fat transfer to restore smoothness under the nipple. Clareo’s experience in fat transfer techniques is particularly valuable for revision cases where adding volume can correct contour depressions or irregularities.
Gynecomastia correction is typically an outpatient surgery, but it carries real risks and requires careful recovery planning. Possible complications include bleeding, infection, fluid collection, contour irregularity, changes in nipple sensation, and scarring.
Clareo prioritizes patient safety through board-certified surgical care, accredited facilities, and detailed pre- and post-operative guidance. Patients are encouraged to ask questions and fully understand the process to protect results and support a smooth recovery.
A private consultation defines your individualized plan. Our surgeons review your goals, medical history, and prior approaches. They’ll evaluate the balance of fatty tissue, glandular tissue, skin quality, and asymmetry, then recommend techniques that suit your anatomy.
Timing is carefully considered as well. Surgery may be delayed if anabolic steroids, marijuana use, or ongoing adolescent growth could affect safety or long-term results.
The examination focuses on tissue firmness, chest symmetry, and skin elasticity. This assessment determines whether liposuction, excision, skin removal, or a combination is most appropriate.
Scar placement and what a “flat” contour will look like on your body are also discussed, so expectations are aligned with your frame and goals.
Costs vary based on how much tissue is removed, whether or not skin excision is needed, anesthesia type, and facility fees. If the plan includes additional shaping or complementary procedures, that can also affect pricing.
During your consultation, Clareo’s team explains pricing details clearly and reviews financing options so you can plan without surprises.
Before surgery, you’ll receive clear guidance on medications, supplements, and lifestyle factors that support safe healing and a smooth recovery.
Typically, you’ll need to:
If you’re traveling from outside the Greater Boston area, our concierge patient services will help you plan a stay at a nearby luxury hotel in Boston and patient care for early follow-up visits.
Gynecomastia correction is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. Before surgery begins, your surgeon reviews the plan with you and marks the treatment areas to guide precise contouring. Most procedures take around two hours, depending on the techniques involved.
Clareo commonly uses an incision along the lower edge of the areola, allowing liposuction and direct excision of glandular tissue through the same access point. If skin removal is necessary, that approach is planned in advance based on chest grading and skin quality.
General anesthesia is used to keep you comfortable and closely monitored throughout the procedure. After surgery, you’ll recover onsite before returning home the same day. Because lingering grogginess is normal, you’ll need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you overnight.
Recovery is generally manageable when patients pace themselves. A compression garment is worn for about six weeks, and swelling usually peaks around day three before gradually subsiding, with most resolving by the six-week mark.
Early contour changes are often visible even with swelling. As fluid settles, the chest becomes smoother and more defined.
During recovery, focus on short daily walks, staying hydrated, and avoiding activities that strain the chest. High-intensity exercise, swimming, hot tubs, and baths should be avoided until cleared by your surgeon.
Once scar care is approved, follow-up visits help ensure incisions heal properly and that guidance is adjusted as needed.
Exercise restrictions help protect results. Clareo typically advises avoiding cardio and lower body workouts for the first three weeks and upper body workouts for six weeks.
Patients can gradually resume training with lighter weights. However, those with intensive routines should request a personalized progression plan during consultation to clarify timelines and expectations.
Incisions are positioned to keep scars discreet, and they gradually fade over time. Clareo typically recommends beginning silicone scar gel around two weeks after surgery and continuing for about three months, paired with sun protection for a full year.
Following a simple, consistent routine helps scars mature naturally and achieve the best possible appearance.
Results are generally considered permanent because the removed tissue doesn’t return on its own. Weight gain can still add to the area, and certain drugs or medical conditions can stimulate tissue regrowth.
To maintain your results:
If you’ve had hormone symptoms in the past, addressing them early can help protect your contour. If you notice changes later, a follow-up can clarify whether it’s fat, scar tissue, or another issue that needs attention.
Gynecomastia often presents as a firm disc under the nipple, puffy nipples, or tenderness, while softer fullness that changes with weight is usually fat.
During a consultation, your surgeon evaluates which areas are glandular versus fatty tissue and recommends the approach that will achieve a flat, natural chest contour tailored to your anatomy.
In some cases, pubertal gynecomastia may resolve as hormones stabilize, and medication-related changes can improve if the trigger is addressed.
However, persistent firm glandular tissue generally does not resolve without surgery. For long-standing or pronounced cases, surgical correction is the most reliable method to achieve a masculine, contoured chest.
Age is less important than overall health and tissue stability. Most adults in good health and at a stable weight are candidates. Teens who are still growing may need to wait, as chest tissue can continue developing.
A consultation helps determine the optimal timing based on anatomy, growth, and overall readiness for surgery.
Many insurers consider gynecomastia correction cosmetic and do not cover it, though some plans may approve coverage with documented medical necessity.
Clareo’s team can explain what records or documentation are typically required, helping you understand your options before scheduling a procedure and what to expect if exploring insurance coverage.
Scars are permanent but often fade significantly over time. The main incision is usually placed along the lower half of the areola, where natural color differences help camouflage it.
Following your surgeon’s scar care instructions and protecting the area from sun exposure improves long-term healing and helps the chest appear smooth and natural.
Yes. After your surgeon clears you, most men gradually return to workouts. Avoid heavy upper-body exercises too soon, however, as this can increase swelling and slow healing.
Maintaining consistent training after recovery supports chest definition, helping preserve the masculine contour achieved through surgery.
Some asymmetry is common. During consultation and examination, your surgeon evaluates each side and adjusts liposuction and excision to achieve balanced contours. The plan is personalized, aligning expectations with what is realistic for your frame and anatomy while ensuring a natural, masculine result.
Surgical results are considered long-lasting because glandular tissue is removed permanently.
Weight gain or hormonal changes can affect contour over time, but maintaining stable habits helps preserve results. Following lifestyle recommendations, avoiding triggers, and attending follow-ups all support a durable, masculine chest appearance.
Yes. Some patients combine chest correction with body contouring, such as abdominal or flank liposuction, to improve overall proportion. In select cases, fat transfer can enhance pectoral shape.
Clareo’s expertise in combination procedures and fat transfer allows for a coordinated, natural-looking result while maintaining masculine aesthetics.
Clareo focuses exclusively on cosmetic procedures, emphasizing natural proportion, patient choice, and personalized planning.
Board-certified surgeons Dr. Tantillo and Dr. Lee bring decades of experience, combining reduction and fat transfer techniques to deliver a masculine, athletic chest that looks natural, with careful attention to contour, symmetry, and long-term results.
Gynecomastia is common, and it can feel frustrating when your chest doesn’t match your effort. The good news is that once you know what’s driving the fullness, treatment becomes relatively simple. With careful planning and the proper technique, most men achieve a flatter, more natural contour and feel comfortable in fitted clothing again.
To get a personalized plan, schedule a private consultation at Clareo Plastic Surgery today. Call (617) 793-7272 or visit clareoplasticsurgery.com to learn more about male breast reduction and body contouring services in the Boston area.
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