Gynecomastia surgery in Korea: why ultrasound is important for protruding nipples and areolas
Patient Registration Info
| Age | Weight | Height | BMI |
|---|---|---|---|
|
20s |
78kg |
180cm |
24 |
Surgical site
Surgical site : Gynecomastia | Grade 2-A
Could an Ultrasound Examination Be Needed if the Areola and Nipple Appear Prominent?
If projection in the center of the chest remains
even after exercise and weight loss, it may be necessary
to check whether enlarged glandular tissue is contributing to gynecomastia.
Rather than relying only on the visible appearance,
an ultrasound examination can help distinguish
the distribution of glandular tissue and fat.
[Front View in a T-Shirt 2 Weeks After Gynecomastia Surgery – Changes in Male Chest Projection]
Men with gynecomastia may be concerned
about more than just the overall size of the chest.
In some cases, the center of the chest projects forward,
or the shape of the nipple and areola becomes noticeable
through clothing, causing significant concern.
Others may be concerned about the opposite appearance,
with the center of the chest looking sunken inward.
When changes in chest shape are present,
it is important not to assess the condition based only
on photographs or physical touch.
An ultrasound examination can help determine
whether glandular tissue is enlarged and provide
a starting point for planning appropriate treatment.
[Prominent Male Areola and Chest Volume That Remained Despite Exercise]
This patient visited Lesarts due to gynecomastia symptoms
that had persisted since his teenage years.
To reduce the size and central projection of his chest,
he had consistently worked on weight loss
and performed high-intensity chest exercises.
However, even after losing weight and developing his pectoral muscles,
he reported little noticeable change
in the size or shape of his chest.
[Patient Information and Gynecomastia Examination Results]
Age: 20s
Height / Weight: 180 cm / 78 kg
Diagnosis: True gynecomastia, Simon Grade 2A
Skin Elasticity: Good
Although exercise had made his upper body more muscular,
the volume in the center of the chest remained prominent,
making the chest especially noticeable
when wearing T-shirts or workout clothing.
Before surgery, the center of both sides of the chest
appeared prominent, with noticeable forward projection
when viewed from the side.
During palpation, firm lumps could be felt
mainly around the inner areas of both breasts.
Ultrasound examination showed widely distributed,
enlarged glandular tissue in these areas.
The patient’s appearance was classified as Simon Grade 2A,
with additional fat remaining around the lower
and outer areas of the chest.
The surgical plan therefore included removal
of the enlarged glandular tissue along with liposuction
to reduce the surrounding chest fat.
If chest projection or firm lumps remain even after exercise,
it is important to first determine whether the chest volume
is primarily caused by fat or glandular tissue.
[Changes in Chest Shape 2 Weeks After Gynecomastia Surgery for Prominent Male Areola]
These photos were taken before surgery
and 2 weeks after gynecomastia surgery.
Before surgery, the size of the chest created noticeable shadows,
with clear projection around the center of the chest.
After surgery, the overall chest volume decreased,
reducing both the shadowing and central projection.
Although this is still an early stage of recovery,
when swelling and tissue firmness may remain,
the chest appears flatter and more defined from the front.
The height and contour of both sides of the chest
are also gradually settling into a relatively even shape.
[Changes in the Chest Line from a Three-Quarter View 2 Weeks After Gynecomastia Surgery for Prominent Male Areola]
From the three-quarter view, the forward projection
around the center of the chest appears reduced.
As fat around the lower and outer chest was also reduced,
the contour from the upper to the lower chest
appears smoother than before surgery.
[Changes in Central Chest Projection and Lower Chest Contour from the Side 2 Weeks After Gynecomastia Surgery]
From the side view, changes in chest thickness
and forward projection are more clearly visible.
Before surgery, the center of the chest projected forward,
while after surgery, this area appears flatter, creating
a smoother transition toward the upper abdomen.
Because only 2 weeks have passed since surgery,
this should not be considered the final result.
However, the reduction in forward chest projection
can already be clearly observed.
[Side View in a T-Shirt Before and After Gynecomastia Surgery for Prominent Areola]
Before surgery, the volume of the front chest
was noticeable through a thin T-shirt,
making the patient constantly conscious of his chest line.
Two weeks after surgery, the central chest projection
had decreased, allowing the T-shirt to fall more smoothly
along the contour of the torso.
[Changes in T-Shirt Fit 2 Weeks After Gynecomastia Surgery for Chest Fullness That Remained Despite Exercise and Weight Loss]
The forward projection of the chest became less noticeable
even when wearing workout clothes or thin tops.
The patient also reported that after the chest shape improved,
which had remained unchanged despite exercise and weight management,
he no longer felt the need to repeatedly check his chest line before getting dressed.
Central chest projection can be one of the signs
associated with male gynecomastia.
Even when surrounding fat decreases through exercise
and weight loss, enlarged glandular tissue may remain.
Photos of other patients and self-assessment methods
may be helpful as a reference, but there are limitations
to accurately identifying the condition based on appearance alone.
If changes in chest shape or a firm lump continue to be a concern,
an ultrasound examination can help assess the distribution
of glandular tissue and fat before discussing
an appropriate treatment plan.
Male Gynecomastia Surgery FAQ
Q1. Does a prominent areola or nipple always mean gynecomastia?
Central chest projection can be a sign of gynecomastia,
but appearance alone is not enough to confirm the condition.
An ultrasound examination can help determine
whether glandular tissue is enlarged.
Q2. Can exercise and weight loss eliminate gynecomastia?
Exercise and weight loss may reduce surrounding fat,
but enlarged glandular tissue is difficult to eliminate
through exercise alone.
If chest projection or a firm lump remains after exercise,
an examination may be recommended.
Q3. Why is an ultrasound examination needed for gynecomastia?
Ultrasound helps identify the location and distribution
of fat and glandular tissue in the chest.
This information is used to assess the condition
and determine an appropriate surgical plan.
Q4. Are glandular tissue removal and liposuction performed together?
If fat is also distributed around the lower or outer chest
along with enlarged glandular tissue, liposuction may be performed
together to create a smoother overall chest contour.
Q5. Is 2 weeks after gynecomastia surgery the final result?
Two weeks after surgery is still an early stage of recovery,
and swelling or tissue firmness may remain.
Changes in chest size and projection may already be visible,
but the chest contour will continue to settle over time.
▼ Visit Lesarts Plastic Surgery in Gangnam, Seoul, Korea ▼