Adipomastia in men

Adipomastia, also known as pseudogynaecomastia or fatty gynaecomastia, is characterised by an excessive accumulation of fatty tissue in the male chest, without any glandular development. Unlike gynaecomastia, which involves enlargement of the mammary glands, adipomastia is mainly caused by excess fat, often linked to being overweight or to genetic factors.

This condition can affect one or both breasts and cause significant aesthetic and psychological discomfort. It is essential to distinguish adipomastia from gynaecomastia in order to determine the appropriate treatment.

Non-surgical approaches

Before considering surgery, certain measures can be taken:

• A balanced diet: healthy, calorie-controlled eating can help reduce body fat, including in the chest area
• Regular exercise: cardiovascular activity and strength training can help reduce body fat and tone the pectoral muscles

However, these methods may not be enough to eliminate adipomastia completely, especially if the fat is localised and resistant. In such cases, surgery is the only effective solution.

Liposuction

Liposuction is the treatment of choice for persistent adipomastia. This procedure involves removing excess fat from the chest using fine cannulas inserted through small incisions. It is generally performed under general or local anaesthesia as a day-case procedure.

Although it is a surgical procedure, chest reduction by liposuction leaves minimal, discreet scars, offers a quick recovery and provides long-lasting results, provided a stable weight is maintained.

A consultation with a plastic surgeon is essential to establish an accurate diagnosis. The surgeon will carry out a clinical examination, possibly supplemented by an ultrasound scan, to distinguish adipomastia from glandular gynaecomastia.

During this consultation, the surgeon will discuss the treatment options, the patient’s expectations and the anticipated results. A personalised quote will also be provided.

Male chest reduction by liposuction generally begins with the administration of anaesthesia, which may be local or general depending on the volume of fat to be removed and the patient’s preferred level of comfort. Once the anaesthesia has taken effect, the surgeon makes small, discreet incisions, often located around the areola or in the natural skin folds to minimise visible scarring.

Fine cannulas are inserted through these incisions to remove excess fat in a targeted manner. The surgeon thus sculpts the chest to achieve a firmer, more masculine contour. Once the fat has been removed, the incisions are closed with fine sutures and a compression dressing is applied.

The procedure generally takes between 1 hour and 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the amount of fat to be removed.

The recovery period is generally short:

• Compression garment: worn for around 4 to 6 weeks to encourage skin retraction and reduce swelling
• Return to activities: light activities can be resumed after a few days, while strenuous physical exertion should be avoided for 3 to 4 weeks
• Medical follow-up: post-operative consultations are scheduled to monitor healing and the progress of the results

The first results become visible once the swelling has subsided, usually after 2 to 3 weeks. The final result, with a flatter, more balanced chest, is achieved after 3 to 6 months.

Patient satisfaction is generally high, with a noticeable improvement in self-esteem and physical comfort.

The cost of liposuction to treat adipomastia varies depending on the complexity of the procedure. Following the initial consultation, Dr Sarfati will provide you with a detailed quote. As this procedure is considered cosmetic, it is not covered by the French national health insurance system (Sécurité Sociale).