Gynecomastia

Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Antonio, TX

Gynecomastia is the condition of enlarged male breasts. This condition primarily arises from a hormonal imbalance between testosterone and estrogen, and it can develop during times of hormonal change such as birth, puberty, or old age. (1) While this condition is fairly common, it is often difficult to address through dieting and exercise alone, prompting many men to seek more permanent treatments. In response, gynecomastia treatments have gained popularity over the last several years, experiencing a 6% growth between 2022 and 2023, with an additional 2% growth the following year. (2)

Dr. Dallas Homas is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in San Antonio who is known for his incredible level of skill and expertise. Dr. Homas has more than 30 years of experience in the medical field and previously served as the chief of plastic surgery in the U.S. Army. He has extensive training in general surgery, plastic & reconstructive surgery, and hand surgery, and he has earned board certifications in all three specialties.

To start working with Dr. Homas, please schedule a consultation online or call (210) 460-3646.

About Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia, the enlargement of male breasts, is a relatively common disorder that can affect between 36% to 57% of men. (3) Gynecomastia typically occurs during times of hormonal change, but weight fluctuations, genetics, medical conditions, or medication side effects can cause or worsen the condition. Dr. Homas can perform a gynecomastia treatment to help you restore a flatter, more proportionate chest, restoring both your masculine aesthetics and your confidence.

Benefits

With a tailored gynecomastia treatment, patients experience benefits that enhance more than just their appearance, but also their quality of life. These typically include:

  • Flatter Chest: Gynecomastia treatment will restore a flatter, more masculine chest appearance by removing excess tissue.
  • Elevated Self-Esteem: Enhancing the appearance of your chest can lead to an overall improvement in your body image and self-confidence.
  • Improved Proportions: Adjusting the appearance of your chest can create a smoother transition and a greater sense of balance and masculinity from your shoulders to your hips.
  • Lasting Results: Gynecomastia treatments create long-lasting results, especially alongside healthy lifestyle habits and a stable, maintainable weight.
  • Personalized Treatment Plans: Dr. Homas designs each procedure around your personal concerns and anatomy, including the surgical techniques he performs and the amount of tissue he removes.

Candidates

You may be an ideal candidate for gynecomastia surgery if you have enlarged breasts that will not respond to medications, exercise, dieting, or other forms of treatment.

If you are interested in undergoing gynecomastia treatment, you should be in good general health without any significant coexisting conditions that could affect your recovery or results. You should ideally be a nonsmoker or willing to quit using nicotine and maintain realistic expectations regarding the results of your procedure. Dr. Homas will finalize your candidacy during your personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

Every patient will attend a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Homas before scheduling their procedure. During this consultation, he will assess your medical history, prescriptions, concerns, and goals. He will also perform a physical evaluation to examine the current state of your chest, as well as your overall anatomy. He will then create a personalized treatment plan to help you obtain a flatter, more masculine chest.

To explore your gynecomastia treatment options and plan your procedure, please schedule a consultation online or call (210) 460-3646.

Preparation

Once you decide to proceed with your gynecomastia procedure, Dr. Homas will give you a set of detailed pre-operative instructions to help you prepare. He may direct you to:

  • Discontinue taking blood-thinning medications and supplements under medical guidance.
  • Pre-arrange transportation home after your procedure.
  • Prepare to take time away from your career and other commitments to focus on resting.
  • Cease any nicotine or alcohol consumption in the weeks before and after your procedure. These substances can inhibit your recovery and affect your final results.
  • Fill any prescriptions ahead of time.

Your exact instructions may vary depending on the details of your surgical plan, but following each one closely will help you achieve the best possible results and facilitate a successful procedure and smooth recovery.

Procedure

At the beginning of your procedure, a member of Dr. Homas’ team will cleanse and sanitize your skin, then administer general anesthesia to keep you comfortably asleep throughout the procedure. Dr. Homas will then begin performing your procedure using either surgical intervention, liposuction techniques, or a combination of the two.

  • Surgical Intervention: Dr. Homas typically performs surgical intervention if the breast enlargement is primarily glandular breast tissue. (3) He will place an incision near your breasts before carefully removing excess tissue, carefully and artistically sculpting a flatter and more masculine chest. (3)
  • Liposuction: Dr. Homas may use liposuction to remove excess fatty tissue from your chest. He will begin by placing a small incision near the treatment area before injecting the local fat with a tumescent solution. This solution helps minimize bleeding, numbs your local tissues, and swells your fat cells for easier removal. Dr. Homas will then insert a thin cannula into the treatment area to emulsify and permanently remove fat. (3)

The duration of your gynecomastia procedure can vary depending on the technique and the scale of your concerns. Dr. Homas will determine which techniques will best benefit you during your consultation, giving you a clear and full understanding of your treatment.

Recovery

After a gynecomastia procedure, it is common to experience some swelling, discomfort, or bruising around the treated areas. The effects will dissipate on their own within several weeks, but you may also manage them using prescription medications and plenty of rest. Dr. Homas may ask you to wear a compression garment during this time. This garment places pressure on the treated area to minimize swelling and maintain your new chest shape as your tissues heal.

You may return to light activities and desk work after resting for approximately one to two weeks. However, you will need to continue avoiding more strenuous or physically demanding activities until Dr. Homas clears you to return.

Dr. Homas will provide you with a more detailed set of post-operative instructions during your personal consultation. These directions will help you manage any potential side effects, navigate your activity restrictions, and help you maintain general best practices as you continue recovering.

Results

You will be able to experience immediate improvements in the appearance of your chest, with the full results becoming more apparent as any residual swelling subsides. You will be able to enjoy a flatter, more sculpted, and masculine chest after removing excess tissue and fat. Your chest will also appear more proportional with the rest of your body, creating a more balanced and stronger look overall.

Gynecomastia surgery creates long-lasting results, with many patients experiencing permanent effects. However, it is important that you maintain healthy lifestyle habits, as weight fluctuations can alter your long-term appearance.

Corresponding Procedures

Liposuction

Several procedures can pair with your gynecomastia treatment to create more comprehensive and cohesive results, such as liposuction.

Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure that Dr. Homas can perform to eliminate stubborn, diet-resistant fat in nearly any place on the body. While liposuction may reduce the size of your chest, Dr. Homas can expand this surgical process to additionally improve the definition of your muscles, reduce areas of asymmetry or unevenness, and help you achieve a more desirable appearance overall.

Cost of Gynecomastia Treatment in San Antonio, Texas

The cost of your gynecomastia treatment can vary depending on the type of procedure you undergo, the extent of your corrections, whether you include any additional treatments, and several other factors. Once Dr. Homas establishes each of these details, he will provide you with a comprehensive cost estimate for your procedure.

To learn more about the cost of your personalized procedure, please schedule a consultation online or call (210) 460-3646.

FAQ

What causes gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia can stem from several factors, but it primarily arises from an imbalance of testosterone and estrogen in men. This imbalance can come from hormonal changes, medical conditions, or even genetic predisposition.

Will my gynecomastia resolve on its own?

Gynecomastia may resolve on its own during puberty, but most cases require surgical intervention to achieve a flatter appearance.

Is there a difference between gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is the overgrowth of glandular breast tissue, while pseudogynecomastia is the accumulation of fatty tissue in the chest.

How will I know which gynecomastia treatment is right for me?

During your personal consultation, Dr. Homas will evaluate the physical condition of your chest to determine whether it is composed of more glandular or fatty tissues. Based on this information, he will recommend either liposuction, surgery, or a combination of the two.

Will my gynecomastia return after treatment?

In certain cases, your gynecomastia may return. Meeting with Dr. Homas can help you determine the root cause of your condition, allowing him to tailor your treatment plan to ensure long-term alleviation.

References

  1. Vandeven HA, Pensler JM. Gynecomastia. PubMed. Published 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430812/
  2. ASPS. 2024 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner; 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2024/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2024.pdf
  3. Swerdloff RS, Chiu Ming Ng. Gynecomastia: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Nih.gov. Published July 7, 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279105/