Medical statistics on gynecomastia and teens indicates that approximately three out of every four teenage males will develop temporary excess glandular breast tissue during puberty. In over ninety percent of the cases of gynecomastia and teens, the condition will resolve on its own within three years of onset. One-third of the cases of gynecomastia and teens will resolve within the first year of development.

Cases of gynecomastia and teens are common because puberty is the number one cause of male breast tissue development. During puberty, the body undergoes a series of hormonal changes. The male body produces a high amount of androgens (which are primarily responsible for male sex characteristics) and a low amount of estrogen (primarily female hormone). It is not uncommon for a small increase in estrogen production to cause some breast tissue growth in males during puberty. In most cases this condition will resolve on its own after a few months, while other cases of gynecomastia and teens may require medical treatment.

In addition to puberty, some cases of gynecomastia and teens are caused by other factors such as medical conditions, prescription medications, and illegal drugs such as marijuana, heroine, and anabolic steroids. In some cases of gynecomastia and teens, the patient may actually have what is known as pseudo-gynecomastia, where the excess fat accumulates in the male breast area. Diet and exercise may be the best way to treat these cases of gynecomastia and teens.

When the condition does not resolve itself, or other treatment options have failed, cases of gynecomastia and teens can be resolved through a cosmetic surgical procedure. A plastic surgeon can perform gynecomastia surgery in order to remove the excess tissues in one or both of a male patient's breasts. In cases of gynecomastia and teens, doctors will often recommend that a patient wait to see if their condition disappears on its own before making any treatment recommendations.

If cosmetic surgery is the best option for the treatment of gynecomastia, a surgeon can remove the excess glandular and fatty tissue from a patient's breast area in order to correct the condition. This procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia or in some cases a local anesthetic and a sedative. The surgery takes about two to three hours or so. In cases of gynecomastia and teens, the surgeon will excise the excess tissues from the area and may use liposuction to remove excess fat. Recovery time is generally two weeks or so, during which it is vital to follow all aftercare instructions provided by the cosmetic surgeon.

The average cost of gynecomastia surgery is between $2,500 and $3,200 which may not include related costs such as operating room fees, anesthesia costs, and prescription medications. Because the procedure is done for cosmetic reasons, most health insurance providers will not cover the cost of gynecomastia surgery. Most surgeons have payment options that fit the needs of their patients.

For more information on gynecomastia and teens, you may wish to speak to a qualified and experienced cosmetic surgeon.