Non-surgical fat reduction has become an increasingly popular option—and our New Jersey CoolSculpting® patients will happily tell you how much they love seeing results without downtime. While we love being able to provide our patients with non-invasive solutions to some of their biggest concerns, there are limitations to what many non-surgical treatments can do compared to their surgical counterparts.

Traditionally, Dr. Parker has found that men suffering with gynecomastia, a common condition where male breast tissue is overdeveloped, respond best to a combination of liposuction and surgical excision of excess tissue and skin—but what if our favorite non-surgical fat reduction treatment could provide a male breast reduction alternative?

That’s what a recent split-body study set out to determine.

Gynecomastia vs. pseudogynecomastia

Before we get into the details of the study, it’s important to explain the varying degrees of gynecomastia. In severe cases, men have developed an excess of glandular breast tissue, similar to a woman’s breast. It’s difficult to address this type of tissue with traditional fat removal methods like liposuction because it is dense and nodular.

On the other hand, there’s pseudogynecomastia, an excess of fatty tissue on the chest that causes the appearance of male breasts.

But the truth is most men don’t fall neatly into one of these categories: most patients seeking a male breast reduction have a combination of excess glandular tissue and excess fat. This is why Dr. Parker typically uses both fat removal and tissue excision to get optimal results.

So, how does CoolSculpting compare to surgical gynecomastia treatment?

Researchers evaluated 10 men with pseudogynecomastia to determine if non-surgical fat reduction through cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting) is a safe, effective option. Remember, they were testing to see if fatty tissue only on the chest could be treated with CoolSculpting to provide a nice looking result.

After two CoolSculpting cycles spaced six weeks apart, the seven participants who completed the study saw noticeable reduction in fatty tissue thickness in the chest area treated with CoolSculpting compared to the untreated side of the chest. The authors of the study also reported that “adverse events were mild and transient”—CoolSculpting did appear to be both safe and effective for reducing male chest fat in moderate amounts.

Our thoughts? As of now, only a select few patients would appear to be good candidates for this type of treatment (which is not yet FDA cleared for the chest)—and male breast reduction surgery remains the favorable option for a number of reasons:

• Both fat and glandular tissue can be removed in predetermined amounts with surgery. CoolSculpting only reduces fat, and we don’t have precise control over exactly how much reduction takes place.
• Using liposuction, a skilled plastic surgeon can sculpt the chest to improve shape. CoolSculpting might reduce bulk, but can’t be used to for precise shaping.
• Surgical treatment can be effective for nearly any degree of gynecomastia. CoolSculpting would be best suited to mild cases of pseudogynecomastia.
• Male breast reduction surgery scars are usually very tiny, recovery is short, and results are nearly final in about 3 months. Most patients find a few days of downtime well worth the dramatic improvements possible, and CoolSculpting offers no benefit over male breast reduction in terms of time from treatment to full results.

In sum, CoolSculpting is a fantastic option for reducing fat pockets in numerous other areas of the body, but not the best option to address the more complex nature of gynecomastia.

Concerned about gynecomastia? We can help.

While we’re probably still years away from treating gynecomastia with something like CoolSculpting, you don’t have to wait to achieve a more masculine chest contour. Finding the right treatment requires a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon, who can evaluate your concerns and recommend the approach that will best meet your needs.

New Jersey plastic surgeon Dr. Parker is experienced in a variety of safe, effective and long-lasting options to treat gynecomastia, including the quicker-recovery SAFE Lipo and VASER Ultrasonic Liposuction and virtually “scarless” incision techniques. To schedule your consultation, call 201-967-1212 or contact us online anytime.

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Have you ever gone to the gym or the beach only to hesitate when it’s time to take off your shirt? Nearly 40 percent of men are affected by enlarged breast tissue, a condition known as gynecomastia. It can be an embarrassing condition that can impact quality of life and self-esteem.

What Causes “Man Boobs”?

There are several misconceptions when it comes to overdevelopment of male breast tissue. Gynecomastia is triggered by hormonal imbalances, namely a decrease in testosterone or an increase in estrogen in the male body. A hormonal imbalance and genetics are the most common reasons for man boobs, but there are other surprising contributors to look out for:

• Genetics: If you look at the chests of the men in your family and then look at your own, you will likely notice some similarities. Excess male breast tissue that develops during the teenage years—especially in relatively fit young men—are often caused by genetics. There is no way to prevent genetic gynecomastia, but there are options later in life that can improve the shape and prominence of your chest (keep reading!).

• Beer: Relaxing with a beer can feel like the epitome of manhood, but it might not be a great choice for your physique. While some articles have been making the rounds claiming that hops, a natural source of phytoestrogen, may lead to gynecomastia, nothing has been proven yet. What is known is that the calories in your favorite IPA or stout can increase the amount of adipose (fat) tissue on your chest.

• Marijuana: As states reconsider their medical and recreational marijuana laws, it’s important to also consider the physical ramifications of consuming the drug. Researchers are still studying how the active ingredients in marijuana impact the body, but it is known that THC may decrease testosterone levels, which can in turn lead to increased development of glandular breast tissue in men.

• Bodybuilding: Excessive bodybuilding or weightlifting can increase muscle mass in the chest, leading to a larger chest that may resemble women’s breasts. Bodybuilders who take anabolic steroids are at particular risk for gynecomastia, which is why it’s critical to have your hormone levels frequently monitored.

• Medication side effects: Certain medications, including some blood pressure and ulcer drugs, can contribute to gynecomastia.

How to Treat Gynecomastia

It’s important to understand that there may be two separate factors contributing to the appearance of overly large male breasts: glandular (breast) tissue and fatty tissue. Many patients have a combination of both, and your unique circumstances will dictate which course of treatment is best suited to you.

Men with excess fatty breast tissue can be effectively treated with liposuction. By using a small, specialized tube called a cannula, excess fat is removed from the area and the chest is contoured to a slimmer, more masculine appearance.

For men who have an excess of glandular tissue, a combination of liposuction and surgical excision of tissue may be necessary to achieve the best results. Some men may also require excision of excess skin or a male chest lift.

Whether you’ve been concerned with the appearance of your chest for years or are just now discovering a change in your body, taking steps to reduce male breast tissue can greatly improve your confidence. If you are in or around Paramus, give us a call. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Parker can evaluate your concerns and help you explore your treatment options for improving your chest contour for a sleeker, sharper appearance for years to come.

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1. Gynecomastia is a relatively common condition. Gynecomastia, the benign enlargement of male glandular breast tissue, is a common occurrence during puberty, with a reported incidence of up to 65 percent in adolescents. This adolescent gynecomastia may spontaneously resolve 1 to 2 years after onset (typically at 14 to 16 years of age) and therefore, initially, the treatment is “sympathetic reassurance” with observation. In approximately 8 percent of patients, gynecomastia will persist into adulthood.The psychosocial impact of gynecomastia on patients is often significant, resulting in lowered self-esteem and body image. Each year more and more males are opting to undergo surgical correction of their gynecomastia.
2. A man can outgrow his enlarged breasts. This is true, but only if he is still in puberty. Young men may experience phases during puberty in which fat cells collect in targeted areas of the body, including the chest. It is possible that a young man may pass through the phase and lose that shape.
3. Surgery is a not a substitute for those who don’t have time for exercise. Men who struggle with gynecomastia may be overweight or in good physical condition. Some men do have undesirable chest contours after having lost a significant amount of weight, and male breast reduction can help them get a more attractive, defined shape. Other candidates have never struggled with weight problems yet still have excess fat tissue in the chest area that can also be fixed with corrective surgery. Gynecomastia is a medical condition that cannot be treated by exercise and diet alone.
4. Only one breast may be affected by the condition. It’s not uncommon for men to have one side of the chest that has a more feminine, contoured appearance than the other.
5. Surgery always involves an incision around the areola. At the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Paul M Parker utilizes a minimally invasive surgical technique to remove excess breast tissue in his patients with gynecomastia. Typically, Dr. Parker will use a tiny incision hidden in the armpit to shape and contour the breast. He will only make an incision around the areola in patients with significant excess skin in order to tighten the skin appropriately. Fortunately, this is only necessary for a relatively small percentage of patients.
6. Recovery from male breast reduction surgery is easy. Though recovery is different for every patient, it is generally regarded as being much easier than what patients expect. Following the procedure, many patients report feeling like they’ve just completed a fairly intense upper body workout but without much pain.

For more information on gynecomastia, breast reduction procedures, or any other plastic surgery procedure, contact the Parker Center for Plastic surgery at (201) 967-1212. To view African-American Gynecomastia Surgery before and after photos, visit our gallery.

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While gynecomastia is a very common condition, most men feel a more emotional than physical effect from the condition. Embarrassment, shame and hiding behind bulky clothing is how many men deal with the problem. Some men try to fix this problem with diet and exercise. But in many instances, heavy chest workouts may appear to increase the problem by toning muscle and making the chest appear even larger.

No amount of diet and exercise can correct gynecomastia, and plastic surgery is the only way to fully resolve the condition. Many more men have been having this corrective surgery as the stigma of plastic surgery, and especially male plastic surgery, has lessened over the years. Although the majority of men don’t want to talk about their condition, after the surgery they are thrilled to never have to think about the problem again.

The top five cosmetic procedures for men are rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, liposuction, breast reduction, and hair transplants. Estimates vary, but men represent anywhere from 10 to 35-percent of all plastic surgery patients. Men are taking cues from the women in their lives to look as good as they feel, stay competitive in the job market, and feel better about themselves.

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While most celebrities go to great lengths to hide their cosmetic surgery procedures, some celebrities are quite open and frank. A celebrity who doesn’t hide his cosmetic procedure is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson who elected to have a gynecomastia procedure done. A former professional wrestler and modern-day movie star, Dwayne Johnson has appeared in films such as “The Scorpion King” and “Walking Tall” and is well known for his incredible physique.

Gynecomastia or enlarged breasts in men is very common and affects an estimated 35% of men both young and old. The enlargement can be an excessive development of breast tissue, fat or a combination of both.

For men like Dwayne Johnson, with an excessive fat deposit in the breast area, simple liposuction can take care of the problem. For men who have a combination of fat and glandular tissue, New Jersey plastic surgeon Dr. Paul M. Parker uses a combination of liposuction and surgical means to remove the excess tissue.

“It was an aesthetic thing. I went in and showed the doctor, and he said, ‘Are you crazy?’ I was walking around with my shirt off all the time, so I had it done,” said Dwayne.

Patients who have undergone gynecomastia reduction are usually thrilled with the flat, contoured results. The surgery takes about an hour to perform. Patients are released to go home after about an hour in recovery and can get back to exercising in about a week. Many gynecomastia patients often express regret that they suffered with the embarrassment of the condition for so long when it was so easy to treat.

If you’re interested in treatment for gynecomastia or “man boobs”, please contact the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery for a consultation at (201) 967-1212. To learn more about the gynecomastia procedure, see results photos, or read actual patient stories, please visit our website at dev.parkercenter.net.

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Gynecomastia or “man boobs” is a common condition that reportedly affects 50% of adult males. Medically it means enlargement of the male breast. It can result from excess breast tissue and/or fat. It can affect one or both breasts and men both young and old.

“I was afraid that because my situation wasn’t as bad as some guys, that I wouldn’t be a candidate for surgery. In poking around on the Internet I came across Dr. Parker’s site and was pleased to see before/after photos of men who looked like me, so I called and made an appointment right away,” said Keith.

Keith was pleased from the moment he walked into the Parker Center. He was impressed with the office and all of the staff. Meeting New Jersey plastic surgeon, Dr. Parker gave him confidence to have the surgery and made him feel sure that this was the right place for him. Keith felt so good after his consultation he decided not to meet with any other plastic surgeons.

“I got a good feeling when I went to the Parker Center. The way it looked, how the staff treated me, the time they took explaining the procedure, it all added up to helping me decide to go ahead with the surgery,” Keith said.

Gynecomastia is a physical condition that carries a lot of emotional and social effects. Patients often feel that they are alone in suffering from this condition and often isolate themselves from activities with family and friends. Many men attempt to hide their condition by wearing bagging clothing or never removing their shirts in public.

Luckily, surgical correction of the condition is usually very straightforward and most men report little to no pain during recovery also during the operation. When performing breast reduction for men, New Jersey surgeon, Dr. Parker generally takes one hour, and the surgery is performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation. Patients are usually released an hour after surgery is completed and most men feel only a slight ache (as if they’ve done too many push-ups).

“I had a great experience. I was up and about right away, really had no pain. I threw out the pain pills, I never needed them. It was so much easier than I had imagined,” explained Keith.

It’s been about six weeks since Keith’s surgery and he is thrilled with the results. Keith didn’t tell his friends or family about the surgery because he felt that they wouldn’t understand and would try to talk him out of it. Keith knew when he looked in the mirror that he had a problem with his chest and he is so glad he took care of it.

“I told Dr. Parker thank you because I feel like he gave me back the ability to be comfortable in my own body and that means a lot, it really does,” Keith stated.

Gynecomastia correction surgery can alleviate the embarrassment, anxiety and humiliation men feel about their chest. If you are interested in gynecomastia, New Jersey patients should visit the Parker Center website at dev.parkercenter.net. To schedule a consultation, please call us at 201-967-1212 today.

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“I’m 32 and I’ve had this problem since puberty, for 20 years really.  I was very tired of dealing with it.  I had tried exercise, changing my diet and a strict combination of both.  Nothing helped.  In fact, by working my upper body so hard, I had made the problem worse.  My chest muscles got bigger making them look even larger.  I was really ready to do something about it,” explained Jim.

Jim started by looking on the internet to find more information about his condition.  He learned that gynecomastia correction is a relatively straightforward process but that it’s important to find a surgeon that does a lot of this type of surgery.  While Jim was searching for breast reduction for men, New Jersey doctor, Jim had come across the Parker Center website in his research and was impressed.

“As a graphic designer, I was impressed by the layout, the amount of information presented, the resources available, like the videos and testimonials.  It was a great professional presentation and really helped me decide that I was ready to get this problem taken care of and meet with Dr. Parker,” Jim said.

Dr. Parker was the only surgeon that Jim consulted for his surgery.  After meeting Dr. Parker, Jim felt that he was the right person to handle his surgery.  Jim feels that all the information and professionalism that was presented on the website came together when he had his consultation.

“Dr. Parker is one of the most sincere, warmest people I’ve ever me.  It was clear that this was a group of people who really care about what they do.  You can tell that Dr. Parker and his staff have put a lot of thought and care into the entire process.  They understood what a big decision this was for me.  It was very thoughtful and not machine like at all,” Jim described.

Jim had his surgery on his day off and took a few days off to recuperate.  He followed Dr. Parker’s instructions and describes his recovery as uncomfortable but not painful.  Jim knows the feeling of overdoing it in the gym and felt that his recovery didn’t even reach that level of discomfort.

Jim took a few days off from work and also had a weekend to give himself time to recover.  Jim felt that his recovery went even smoother that Dr. Parker had told him to expect.  He followed his medication schedule but never felt the need to take the narcotic pain medication.  Jim also took advantage of the three lymphatic massages as a part of his recovery and found that he really enjoyed them.

“I’m thrilled that I decided to take care of this problem.  My results are fantastic.  I’ve never been a clothes horse but I find myself buying clothes in my actual size now instead of hiding in larger baggy shirts.  My chest now looks the way it was supposed to.  I love the contour of my chest.  I’m really pleased,” exclaimed Jim.

When Jim was doing his research on the Parker Center website, one of the testimonials really made an impression on Jim.  It was the story of a 19 year old young man who had gynecomastia correction before heading off to college.  Jim felt that his history was a carbon copy of the young man’s and he believes that by telling his own story he might help someone his own age to make the decision to change their life.

Gynecomastia correct can alleviate the embarrassment that many men feel regarding the appearance of their chest.  As Jim and many others have discovered, diet and exercise cannot correct this condition.  With gynecomastia correction, avoiding the pool and beach, hiding behind large shirts and bulky sweatshirts can become a thing of the past.

If you are interested in gynecomastia correction or any other type of cosmetic surgery, visit the Parker Center website at dev.parkercenter.net.  To schedule a consultation, please call us at 201-967-1212 today.

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“I’ve been thinking about the surgery since I was like 13 or 14. I’ve been ready for a long time. I never thought it would be this easy or I would have done it sooner,” explained Eric.

Eric suffers from gynecomastia, a condition that refers to the enlargement of male breast tissue. It can affect one or both breasts and is very common in young and older men alike. In most men, gynecomastia is caused by excess fatty tissue in the breast. In some, male breast enlargement is due to a combination of excess fatty tissue and firmer, glandular tissue together.

“I never, absolutely never, took my shirt off in public. I used to take a lot of crap from my family and other guys about not taking my shirt off. I was just so self-conscious about it. I was amazed when I was researching the problem just how common it is because no one talks about it,” said Eric.

As Eric discovered no amount of working out could improve the look of his chest. Prior to having children, Eric worked out 5-6 days a week and never saw an improvement in the contour of his chest. Eric always wore two shirts, either two t-shirts or one t-shirt under a button-down shirt to help hide the condition. Loose baggy sweatshirts and t-shirts were his best friend.

Once Eric decided the time was right to do something about his condition, he and his wife did some research on the internet and found the Parker Center website. Eric liked how the website explained the procedure completely with videos and testimonials as well as lots of before and after photos.

“In my research, every article said the most important thing was finding a surgeon who does a lot of gynecomastia surgery. Most plastic surgeons do it, but Dr. Parker had so many photos and testimonials, it was clear that this is a surgery he does a lot. Also my wife’s physician recommended that for male breast reduction, New Jersey surgeon Dr. Parker “was the best choice,” Eric stated.

Setting up the consultation and meeting Dr. Parker was an easy, comfortable experience for Eric. Being so self-conscious about his condition, he was nervous having to show strangers his chest and talk about it, but Dr. Parker and his staff were so warm and professional, Eric felt comfortable right from the beginning.

Eric had surgery three weeks ago and is already thrilled about how his chest looks. Everyday it looks better and better and Eric has no qualms about being back in the locker room.

“I was so nervous, but it was a really good experience. Everyone at the Parker Center is very good, very professional. Dr. Parker is very easy to talk to; it was just like talking to another guy. He made it very easy for me. Everything went exactly the way he explained, no surprises,” explained Eric.

Eric wife is thrilled with his new chest and can’t believe how good it looks already. Eric is looking forward to a summer of beach, boating and family pool parties without any of his previous embarrassment.

“It looks great right now and I know it’s only getting better over the next couple of months. It was the best thing I ever did. I’m so happy I had it done,” said Eric.

Gynecomastia correction is done by removing the excess fat deposits and glandular tissue as necessary to achieve a flatter, firmer more contoured chest. Dr. Parker performs this procedure through one or two very small incisions in the armpit area so that scars are not visible. He and the staff of The Parker Center have helped dozens of male breast reduction New Jersey patients regain their self-confidence and increase their self-esteem.

Call us today at 201-967-1212 for a consultation to see how we can help you with male breast reduction surgery. Visit us at https://dev.parkercenter.net for more information.

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“You’re really self-conscious.  You don’t want to go anywhere where you’ll have to take off your shirt, like a friend’s pool or the beach,” says John.

For several years, John, who lives at home with his parents, had thought about having a male breast reduction.  New Jersey articles about the condition were clipped and given to him by his mom. She even found a plastic surgeon, but John decided to look into it more on his own.

John looked around the internet, read patient reviews and looked at tons of before and after photos.  John narrowed it down to about three plastic surgeons to consider.  The first was New Jersey plastic surgeon, Dr. Paula Parker.  John liked The Parker Center’s website, he felt it had a lot of educational information.  He also listened to the patient video testimonials and learned more about the procedure.

“I met with Dr. Parker and he was a real nice guy, very professional, made me feel really comfortable, right away.  Both my parents met him too and they were impressed.  I wouldn’t have done it if my parents weren’t confident in Dr. Parker,” said John.

John had no hesitation about going ahead with the surgery after he met with Dr. Parker for his consultation.  He felt he didn’t need to see any other doctors.  John had his surgery in late July, was up and about the same day and returned to most all activities within a few days.

“I had a really good recovery.  No real pain, just uncomfortable for the first few days.  Before I knew it I was back in my old routine.  And now I never have to think about my problem anymore.  It’s gone. I love the way I look and feel, now. Dr. Parker did a great job and his staff is awesome. Everything they told me about before surgery worked out that way and they took great care of me afterwards,” said John.

Gynecomastia correction is done by removing excess fatty deposits and breast tissue as necessary to achieve a flatter, firmer chest.  Dr. Parker and staff of The Parker Center have helped dozens of male breast reduction New Jersey patients regain their self- confidence and increase their self-esteem.

Call us today at 201-967-1212 for a consultation to see how we can help you with male breast reduction New Jersey surgery or any other cosmetic procedure.  Visit us at www.theparkercenter.com for more information.

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