Question

[ry22]

I was wondering if there is any way you can tell if it's Gyne or fat by the way it feels?  I have had them since 5th grade and I am now 18. I have never really been in good shape, but whenever I lose weight they seem to get a little smaller.  Any help would be appreciated

[DrBermant]

I was wondering if there is any way you can tell if it's Gyne or fat by the way it feels?  I have had them since 5th grade and I am now 18. I have never really been in good shape, but whenever I lose weight they seem to get a little smaller.  Any help would be appreciated

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to distinguish just what is causing the problem.  Gynecomastia male breasts can be fat, gland, or most commonly a combination of both.  Sometimes skin and sagging tissues can be a factor.  Pseudo Gynecomastia is supposed to be fat only gynecomastia.  The problem with that "classification" is that in almost every case of gynecomastia I have seen there is some component of gland.  This gland can be very small, but it is present almost all the time.  So do you have Pseudo gynecomastia when there is a 1%, 10%, 50%, or 90% deformity from fat?  Reality just does not work that way.

Defining the problem with photographs sometimes can help.  However, it is impossible to tell from photographs if the deformity is from fat or gland. The dynamic images, of my standard set of images can show a region that compresses differently.  Even clinical examination differentiation can be difficult.

Fat tends to be soft, gland tends to be firm.  Fingers of gland often dissect between fingers of fat.  Look at this drawing and move your mouse over the arrows.  However, gland can be soft and fat firm confusing the picture.  Gland tends to be located under the nipple and pinching pressure can sometimes tether to the nipple pulling it in.

Men with excessive fat do tend to have certain contour issues.  Check out this link about Sumo Wrestlers.  Men tend to carry excessive weight in their chest and stomach.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia and Chest Sculpture

[ry22]

Would working out my chest by lifting weights help lose the fat tissue or make the problem worse? I heard that it can make your breasts stand out more and appear bigger?

[Allan7865]

I suggest you try some pure cardio and diet and see if it makes a diffrence on your chest.

After all even if it dosent help with your supposed "gyne" your just going to look all the better without a shirt on after surgery.