Man boobs. Moobs. Whatever you call them, and however they are caused, nobody wants them. If yours have gotten bad or prominent enough that you’ve talked to a doctor about them, you may have heard terms like gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia. While pseudogynecomastia can be a complicated-sounding name, it’s actually the simplest type of man boob you can have.
Having to deal with man boobs can be a major drain on your life, making normal activities like going to the pool, beach, or gym into embarrassing ordeals. In some cases, this can cause a negative spiral of inactivity and poor nutrition that makes pseudogynecomastia worse.
The good news about pseudogynecomastia? You can take control. By learning about this condition, how it is different from gynecomastia, and what you can do for treatment, you can make man boobs a thing of the past.
What is psuedogynecomastia?
Psuedogynecomastia refers to the deposit of excess fat tissue in the pectoral region of a man’s chest. This often leads to the appearance of breasts. While some amount of fat in the chest is normal for men, an overabundance can result in the abnormal appearance of man boobs.
Psuedogynecomastia Symptoms
Symptoms of pseudogynecomastia include the following:
- Buildup of fat, usually directly behind the nipples
- Softer or more pliant breasts
- A saggy and less defined chest
Everyone has different fat distribution across their body for different reasons.
Some men may be overweight or even obese and not develop a proportionally excessive amount of fat tissue in the chest. In this case, a doctor would not necessarily diagnose pseudogynecomastia. Other men may make efforts to lose weight and build muscle definition, but just may have extreme difficulty losing fat in that area.
If breast tissue persists despite making every effort, you may want to see your doctor to confirm that you do not have true gynecomastia.
Gynecomastia vs Pseudogynecomastia
Although the term pseudogynecomastia is rooted in the condition gynecomastia, and they both cause man boobs, there are several key differences.
Gynecomastia is the growth of glandular breast tissue in men as a result of a hormone imbalance. Typically breast tissue will develop because of insufficient testosterone and excessive estrogen. This often occurs during times of increased growth and/or hormonal changes, especially during infancy, puberty, and in men over 50, when testosterone levels drop.
Where pseudogynecomastia is most often related to weight gain, gynecomastia can be caused by natural age-related changes, conditions such as a thyroid dysfunction, and the use of certain medications, such as steroids or chemotherapy drugs.
True gynecomastia results in more firm breasts, and a noticeable lump may be present under the nipples. The breasts will appear rounder and have an upright appearance compared to fat deposits in the chest. Gynecomastia will generally not respond to weight loss, although exercise and certain dietary changes have been linked to improved testosterone production.
Pseudogynecomastia Treatment Options
Most doctors diagnosing pseudogynecomastia will typically first recommend lifestyle changes including:
- A better diet, including more protein and less processed sugars, grains, and fats
- Increased exercise, including cardio exercise to burn calories, and strength training to increase muscle definition
- Working with a doctor or registered dietician to develop a comprehensive weight management plan
In many cases of pseudogynecomastia, weight loss can be highly effective in improving appearance. However, a surgical male breast reduction procedure such as liposuction can become an option when weight loss is difficult, or if chest fat is particularly stubborn and persistent.
As we said, fat distribution is different for everyone. For some men, it’s love handles and belly fat, for others, it’s chest fat.
Whether you have gynecomastia, pseudogynecomastia, or both, there are effective options in the form of male breast reduction procedures. At Innovations Medical, we can perform a procedure called Smartlipo. Dr. Bill Johnson combines our Tickle/Vibro Liposuction with SmartLipo Laser Liposuction. This allows for the removal of the fat and skin tightening and this procedure is completely done while you are awake and with minimal discomfort.
Usually, male breast reduction procedures take about 45 minutes to an hour to perform. You can expect minimal downtime. The vast majority of patients return to work the next day.
We’re happy to provide a preoperative consultation to help you learn if you are a good candidate.
Contact Innovations Medical to Take Care of Man Boobs Once and For All
If you’re looking to get rid of man boobs caused by pseudogynecomastia, gynecomastia, or both, Innovations Medical is here for you. Our skilled professionals help you decide which treatment is best for you – keeping you informed and confident in the next steps. We’ve been helping our patients look and feel their best since 2005, and even our most advanced procedures are often minimally invasive.
To find out if any of our male breast reduction procedures are right for you, and to learn how Innovations Medical can improve your life, call us at (214) 643-8665 or schedule an appointment.