Gyno or Pseudo how to tell?

[rodimus]

Hello just have some general questions hoping for some answers. I am 21 years old 6'2" I use to weigh around 284 lbs back in july when i started to work out and watch my food intake I am now 200lbs. Unfortunatly i was hoping that by now with all the weight loss that I would lose the chest fat, that did not happen(although it is much much much better then before still very self concious about it). What I was wondering is whats the easiest way to tell if i have gyno or simply pseudo gyno. I use the treadmill about an hour a day and burn off 1200 calories each run should i stick with this for a while more and see what happens or do you guys have some other suggestions. I just don't know what to do!

edit I do feel a very small lumps under the breasts (i think unless what i feel is normal) not big i would equate their "feel" to gummy candy

[DrBermant]

Hello just have some general questions hoping for some answers. I am 21 years old 6'2" I use to weigh around 284 lbs back in july when i started to work out and watch my food intake I am now 200lbs. Unfortunatly i was hoping that by now with all the weight loss that I would lose the chest fat, that did not happen(although it is much much much better then before still very self concious about it). What I was wondering is whats the easiest way to tell if i have gyno or simply pseudo gyno. I use the treadmill about an hour a day and burn off 1200 calories each run should i stick with this for a while more and see what happens or do you guys have some other suggestions. I just don't know what to do!

edit I do feel a very small lumps under the breasts (i think unless what i feel is normal) not big i would equate their "feel" to gummy candy

Congratulations on your losing weight.

Losing Weight can make a big impact on the fat and sometimes the skin.  Gland is not reduced with weight loss.

As the skin envelope is no longer filled with fat, Drooping Breasts or Ptosis can happen.  Skin can tighten over time, often several months.  After Massive Weight Loss the skin sometimes just does not tighten enough.  Building muscle is one way of filling a loose skin evelope of the male chest.

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