7 Male Breast Reduction Myths, Busted

Embarrassed about gyno and not sure what to do next? Most surgeons are far too eager in getting men on the gynecomastia / male breast reduction table when for some men, getting rid of “man boobs” may be possible without surgery.

But many times, it is not possible and we will explain why below.

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about male breast reduction and gynecomastia, which doesn’t make it any easier. Let’s take a look at some of these most common myths, and find out what makes them so wrong.

1. Gynecomastia is caused by being overweight.

While being overweight can contribute to the appearance of having male breasts, gynecomastia is not related to fat.

Gynecomastia arises from hormonal imbalances that cause the growth of breast tissue—which is glandular, not fat. Many men at healthy weights can have gynecomastia, and many overweight men do NOT have gynecomastia.

2. Increasing your testosterone levels will make breast tissue go away.

Gynecomastia is first caused by a hormone imbalance, so it might make sense that using steroids will make the breast tissue go away.

However, the opposite is actually true. Using steroids can actually cause your hormone levels to fluctuate even more as you cycle on and off testosterone, making your gynecomastia worse.

3. Male breasts can be reduced with weight loss.

Diet and exercise can help you reduce the amount of fat stored in your chest, but you’ll still be left with glandular breast tissue. This type of tissue won’t go away, no matter how much weight you lose.

4. You can reduce the size of your breasts with chest exercises.

Many men believe that hitting the weights is a good way to reduce the size of their breasts, but that’s not true. Building more muscle in your chest will make your breasts look smaller relative to your new physique, but you’ll still have the same amount of glandular tissue.

In fact, sometimes chest exercises may actually make your breasts appear even more prominent.

5. Gynecomastia is genetic.

Gynecomastia has been linked to drug use, an unhealthy lifestyle, and excessive steroid use. Male breasts may develop in men of any age. Although genetics may play a role in your likelihood of being overweight, these other factors are more to blame for developing gynecomastia.

6. Gyno surgery recovery is extensive.

Not true. You’ll need to wear a compression garment for 2-3 weeks after your surgery, but you can head back to work in just a few days. Plus, you can return to normal activities in a month.

7. Any surgeon can perform a male breast reduction.

There are plenty of great surgeons out there, but not all of them possess the skills and experience needed to perfect your procedure.

You need a professional with years of expertise and a dedication to patient care to get the flat, masculine chest you want—someone who takes the time to explain every detail of your procedure, what to expect, and answers all of your questions.

That’s why it’s crucial to choose a board-certified plastic surgeon for your male breast reduction to get the best results and reduce your risk of complications. Dr. Jones isn’t just board-certified—he’s also the president of the Utah State Plastic Surgery Society, meaning he follows the toughest standards of patient happiness, ethics, and continuing education in the state of Utah.