Hagopian Plastic Surgery: Thomas Hagopian, MD
99 Krog St. NE, Unit C110
Atlanta, GA 30307
Phone: (404) 885-8542
Tuesday–Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Do you avoid shirtless activities, such as swimming, because you’re self-conscious about having overly developed breasts? You’re not alone. Between 50% and 65% of adolescents and adult men experience some degree of gynecomastia—excess breast tissue. Dr. Thomas Hagopian can sculpt a leaner, more masculine chest through male breast reduction surgery for gynecomastia at his Atlanta, GA, plastic surgery practice.
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Gynecomastia is a condition in which excess glandular breast tissue develops, causing a male’s breasts to appear more feminine—sometimes referred to as “man boobs.” This can also be caused by a condition called pseudo (fake) gynecomastia, in which excess fatty tissue creates the same appearance. In some cases, both excess glandular and fatty tissue contribute to enlarged male breasts.
The key difference between gynecomastia and pseudo-gynecomastia is how Dr. Hagopian treats the condition. Glandular tissue is firmer and more fibrous than fat tissue and often develops if you have hormonal imbalances, although certain medications such as steroids can also be responsible. Increased exercise and changing your diet won’t reduce excess glandular tissue, which Dr. Hagopian removes during surgery.
Adolescents often develop pseudo-gynecomastia and don’t require treatment because the fatty tissue dissipates on its own as boys become adult men. If that doesn’t occur, a doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to lose weight. If your breasts still appear feminine, Dr. Hagopian may perform liposuction to remove excess fat.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Hagopian customizes each male breast reduction surgery based on the nature of the patient’s specific gynecomastia condition. In most cases, he places patients under general anesthesia to ensure they remain comfortable throughout the procedure.
If the patient’s primary concern is fatty tissue, Dr. Hagopian may use liposuction alone to reduce the size of the breasts and create a chest that appears more masculine. The SAFELipo™ technique he uses is a type of power-assisted liposuction that is especially effective for creating smooth contours. The SAFELipo procedure also requires smaller incisions, minimizing the appearance of scars.
For gynecomastia caused by glandular tissue, Dr. Hagopian performs surgical excision. Depending on your anatomy, he may make incisions around the darker skin surrounding the nipple, under your arms, or on the side of your chest. Dr. Hagopian carefully removes the tissue and, in some cases, combines liposuction with excision to remove excess fat along with the glandular tissue.
Plastic surgery is the perfect field for Dr. Hagopian, who has a knack for fixing things and helping people. He’s a former firefighter/paramedic, and he had a business building highly sought-after custom taillights in medical school. He met his wife, Nurse Hagopian, at Emory University, and they bonded over many shared interests, including a commitment to exceptional patient care.
Meet Dr. Thomas Hagopian
Nurse Hagopian is an Atlanta native, a self-identified nursing ethics nerd, and an ANCC board-certified adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. She’s passionate about studying informed consent, empowering fellow nurses to use their voices, and collaborating with people in addressing their aesthetic care needs.
Meet Nurse HagopianThe cost of gynecomastia surgery in Atlanta depends on several factors, including the surgical technique Dr. Hagopian uses to reduce the size of the breasts. After consulting with you about your goals, we will provide you with a personalized pricing estimate.
Even though each patient heals at their own pace, we recommend taking at least a few days to a week off from work or school after the procedure. Over-the-counter or prescription medication can effectively manage any discomfort you experience during the first few days after surgery. You’ll need to wear a compression vest for 3 to 6 weeks to reduce swelling and help your chest heal.
Dr. Hagopian advises patients to take short walks starting within a day of surgery to boost circulation but to avoid more strenuous workouts for up to a month. You should postpone chest exercises for 6 weeks.
Dr. Hagopian is careful to make incisions where they will be barely visible, such as on the edge of the areola or under the arm. If you’re concerned about the appearance of scars, we offer silicone gel strips from the Silagen® scar refinement system and other forms of scar therapy to fade and flatten any scarring.
If you would like to learn more about whether gynecomastia surgery can help create a more masculine chest for you, please request a consultation online or call (404) 885-8542. Our Atlanta office welcomes people interested in gynecomastia surgery from Inman Park, Druid Hills, Decatur, and throughout Georgia.
