Gynecomastia Surgery for Body Builders

Gynecomastia (the overgrowth of male breast tissue) often affects bodybuilders. The hormones and anabolic steroids they commonly take can cause breast tissue to grow. Despite their being in excellent physical and nutritional shape, hormonal changes and imbalances can give bodybuilders overdeveloped breasts.

Self-medicating with Steroids and Hormones

A significant percentage of bodybuilders turn to anabolic steroids, hormones and other supplements in their quest to achieve a perfectly sculpted, muscular body. Gynecomastia is a common and well-known side effect of these drugs and may appear suddenly and unexpectedly. Some men self-medicate themselves with other drugs in order to block this side effect. This is a slippery slope that can lead to very unwelcome side effects including withered testicles, emotional issues and even tumors. At Sanctuary Plastic Surgery in Boca Raton, it is our professional opinion that interfering with your body’s delicate hormonal system is dangerous, inappropriate and should not be done.

What Does Gynecomastia Look Like in a Bodybuilder?

In most cases, bodybuilders won’t develop huge breasts. Their breasts will usually be small and localized to just under or around the areola. The nipples may be puffy, and when the pec muscles are flexed, the nipples protrude and distort the shape of the chest. Breast tissue caused by steroids is hard, white and solid, as opposed to the softer breast tissue that occurs in adolescent boys.

Reclaim Your Contoured and Muscular Chest

Once gynecomastia has developed, your best option is surgery. There is no other treatment for gynecomastia. Gynecomastia surgery:

Removes the overdeveloped breast tissue, giving you a flat nipple/areola on a contoured chest
Yields long-term results. The gynecomastia should not reappear as long as you stay away from steroids and hormone-disrupting supplements.
Can give your chest a more symmetrical appearance. It is sometimes impossible to achieve perfect symmetry due to your personal anatomy. Dr. Jacobs evaluates both sides of the chest and treats them to achieve the most symmetrical and harmonious results.

What is the Surgery Like?

Dr. Jacobs will perform your gynecomastia surgery on an out-patient basis in our operating room suite in Boca Raton, Florida. Prior to your procedure, you and Dr. Jacobs will go over your unique case, the details of your surgery and what results to expect. In most cases, you will be under safe “twilight sleep” anesthesia. However, if your gynecomastia is small and localized right under the nipple, local anesthesia may be an option as well. The procedure itself usually takes between 60 and 90 minutes, after which you will experience some soreness. This is easily treated with painkillers.

How Long Will it Take for Me to Recover?

Bodybuilders usually recover rapidly. A healthy body typically heals quickly, and bodybuilders tend to be in excellent nutritional shape. However, it is important to follow your post-operative instructions. It is extremely important not to do too much too soon. Strenuous workouts before your body has fully recovered may trigger swelling and inflammation, slowing the healing process.

You should hold off on tough workouts for at least 4 weeks to give your body a chance to heal and recover. We will provide you with a compression garment which you should wear 24/7 for the first few weeks. This will help your chest heal.

Over 30 Years of Experience Treating Gynecomastia

We are thrilled to add Dr. Elliot Jacobs to our team of surgeons at Sanctuary Plastic Surgery in Boca Raton, Florida. Dr. Jacobs is one of the country’s leading experts in gynecomastia, having specialized in it for decades. A board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience, Dr. Jacobs has even developed his own special surgical tools to help minimize scarring in gynecomastia patients. At Sanctuary Plastic Surgery, our entire team is dedicated to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals.