Question to doctor + pictures

[hopeforpseudogyno]

So at the age of around 13 i was sent check breasts and doctor said he can only feel fat and if i lose weight everything will be ok. But 5 years later my boobs are not normal at all. They become puffy when warm and only look good when cold. So is this possible that my pseudo-gynecomastia became gynecomastia?

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

I dislike the term "pseudo-gynecomastia".  To me, any excess tissue on a male chest should be termed "gynecomastia." 

Some people try to dismiss the problem as just "fat" on a guy's chest.  Virtually 100% of the time, there is both fat and breast tissue.  Further, even with the strictest of diets, fat on a guy's chest is the last thing to leave -- if at all.

Thus, your experience is the usual that I have seen -- doctors with minimal experience feel "fat" and tell the patient that it will disappear over time.  You are witness that it is not true -- gyne tends to remain despite time, exercise and weight loss.

Dr Jacobs

[DrPensler]

I agree with Dr. Jacobs. You have gynecomastia and from the description a rather typical case that would be considered moderate.I often tell patients like yourself when you get out of a warm shower or sauna its a surgical emergency and if you could tape ice cubes to your chest you would look fine,except for the ice.

[Litlriki]

Agree with Drs. Jacobs and Pensler.  I find no value in the term "pseudo-gynecomastia" since I treat it the same way as "gynecomastia."  It seems an artificial differentiation.  And diet will not get it to go away--it might lessen, but it won't resolve completely. 

Rick Silverman