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Gynecomastia, or the appearance of enlarged or overdeveloped breasts in men, is more prevalent than many people realize. Studies suggest that gynecomastia affects somewhere between 32 and 65 percent of men at various points in their lives, making it extremely common for both adolescents and adults. While the condition is medically benign, the psychological impact caused by visible male breasts should not be underestimated. Many men with gynecomastia report significant distress related to body image, self-consciousness in social and intimate settings, as well as avoidance of activities such as swimming, sports, or any situation that involves removing a shirt.

This emotional burden can be just as debilitating as any physical symptom, and underscores the importance of understanding the condition fully for patients searching for an appropriate treatment plan. Acclaimed and board-certified Salt Lake City plastic surgeon Jared Garlick, MD explores potential causes of gynecomastia below and presents information on risk factors and solutions. Don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Garlick today to speak with him personally about gynecomastia treatments in Utah. 

An Overview of Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is a medical condition characterized by the enlargement of glandular breast tissue in males. Unlike pseudogynecomastia, which refers to visible male breasts caused solely by excess fat deposits in the chest area, true gynecomastia involves both glandular (breast) tissue and fat. The condition can affect one breast (unilateral) or both (bilateral), and it may present symmetrically or with a noticeable difference in size. 

While the exact causes of gynecomastia are generally unknown, excess breast fullness commonly presents due to a hormonal imbalance between testosterone and estrogen levels. The result is often a firm, sometimes tender lump of tissue centered beneath the areola, which may be accompanied by swelling, nipple sensitivity, or general puffiness across the nipples and chest.

Gynecomastia Risk Factors

While gynecomastia can develop in virtually any male, certain factors meaningfully increase an individual’s susceptibility. Understanding these risk factors can help you identify the condition earlier, investigate potential underlying causes, and make more informed decisions about your treatment: 

• Age and Life Stage: Adolescent males between the ages of 13 and 17 can be particularly vulnerable, as puberty triggers a temporary surge in estrogen. During this transitional period, it is estimated that up to 70 percent of boys will develop some degree of breast tissue enlargement, though in most cases it resolves naturally within one to two years. Men over the age of 50 represent another high-risk group, as testosterone production naturally declines with age while estrogen levels may remain relatively stable.
• Body Composition and Weight: Excess body fat can contribute to or exacerbate the development of gynecomastia in men. Those with a higher percentage of body fat are often at a higher risk of visible male breasts.
• Medical History and Chronic Conditions: Men with a personal or family history of hormonal conditions, liver disease, kidney failure, or thyroid disorders can carry a heightened risk of developing gynecomastia.
• Medication and Substance Use: The use of certain medications, anabolic steroids, and recreational substances is among the most preventable and frequently overlooked risk factors for gynecomastia. In certain studies, these include anabolic steroids, cannabis, and alcohol.

Will Gynecomastia Ever Resolve On Its Own?

Although the possibility of gynecomastia resolving naturally in adolescents and younger patients going through puberty is generally favorable, for adult men, the condition very rarely goes away without treatment. Once breast tissue has had time to firm, it does not simply disappear through dieting, exercise, or lifestyle changes. A very common myth is that working out the chest (exercises such as push-ups, bench presses, chest flies) will get rid of gynecomastia. While building chest muscle may make the chest look more defined overall, exercise has no effect on actual breast gland tissue. The only way to physically remove glandular tissue is through surgery.

Permanent Solutions for Gynecomastia: Long-Term Results

For men whose gynecomastia has not gone away on its own and/or is causing distress — physically or emotionally — there are effective treatment options. Liposuction is sometimes also incorporated to reshape fat deposits in the chest. It’s important to understand that liposuction alone will not fix true gynecomastia — fat can be suctioned out, but firm breast gland tissue cannot. Liposuction works best when used alongside gland removal to create the smoothest, most natural-looking result. Gynecomastia surgery to remove and resculpt excess tissue is the most reliable and permanent solution. This procedure is typically done under general anesthesia or with local anesthesia combined with a sedative. 

What are the Most Common Side Effects of Gynecomastia Surgery?

One of the most common side effects Dr. Garlick regularly sees in his office from this procedure involves patients who have had the surgery performed elsewhere and the previous surgeon removed too much of the gland and surrounding soft tissue, which left the patient with a crater deformity of their chest wall. This can be fixed and improved in the hands of an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Garlick. He sees these patients regularly and tailors an individual plan to help improve the patient’s chest contour and confidence. 

Why Choose Dr. Garlick as Your Gynecomastia Surgeon in Utah?

Dr. Garlick has extensive training and experience performing gynecomastia surgery. During his aesthetic fellowship, he worked with bodybuilders, whose main concern was their breast glands distorting the appearance of their chest during performances on stage. He is well-versed in the needs of these specific patient populations. This experience pushed Dr. Garlick to develop techniques that position him as an ideal surgeon for your gynecomastia surgery. 

Dr. Garlick does not just address the gland portion of the gynecomastia. He takes pride in addressing the entire chest unit of the male. This allows you to have a fully shaped and contoured chest after the surgery, not just a gland removed. To do the surgery, Dr. Garlick makes a small incision along the lower edge of the nipple within the areola, where it can heal with minimal visible scarring. Through that opening, Dr. Garlick first uses high-definition liposuction techniques to strategically remove the fatty tissue within certain areas of the chest region, helping shape the chest afterwards. Next, if there is glandular tissue remaining, the breast tissue gland is then carefully removed with extra care to not over-dissect the area. Next, Dr. Garlick uses QuantumRF^® to pass through the entire chest region to help tighten the skin. This provides around 30 to 50% tightening to the surrounding chest soft tissue layer, which creates a dramatically sculpted result in the end. When executed by an experienced surgeon like Dr. Garlick, the result is a noticeably flatter, firmer chest with contoured definition. 

Gynecomastia is a common, well-understood condition with a range of effective treatment options. At our Salt Lake City, Utah practice, Dr. Jared Garlick performs gynecomastia surgery with precision to restore a more masculine chest and help patients live their life with greater comfort and confidence. For more information or to book a consultation, please contact Dr. Garlick today.