At what body fat percentage would gynecomastia stop looking dumb? Wanna get rid of these moobs.

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Spadesheart
Spadesheart Posts: 463 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So, I have lost about 70 pounds this year. I've done this through calorie restriction of course, but also close monitoring of protein, cardio, and fairly frequent weight training. As such, I've actually put on a fair bit of muscle in the process.

Unfortunately, my number 3 reason to lose weight, behind being better for me and being better for people I care about, was getting rid of the moobs, and that just isn't happening. I am quite sure I have a somewhat bad case of gynecomastia, which makes sense, considering I've been fat all through my teenage years and adult life until now. I just want to look okay without a shirt for once in my life man.

Gynecomastia leaves me with 3 options to achieve my goal of looking okay without a shirt. One, I get the surgery. 2, I build enough chest muscle as to make the fat appear to just be muscle. Or 3, I just get my body fat low enough that they just can't persist as visibly. Maybe someday I will get the surgery, but I do want to give a combination of 2 and 3 a solid try.

According to the navy method, i am about 22% body fat right now. Who knows if that's accurate, but visually it makes the most sense. In the following picture I am blocking the gynecomastia, but it's only marginally smaller than it was in the before. Before anyone says that I do look okay without a shirt, I am definitely sucking in and really flexing there. 1 am 195 lbs in the after picture, and I am 6'3". I don't know how much past 190 lbs i want to go unless it will look dramatically better.

62q3y2c5j9e2.jpg

Surely there is a body fat percentage that I can aim for that would make the chesticles not so apparent. There are a lot of lady body builders without prominent breasts, so there must be an achievable thing to aim towards, in conjunction with more well developed chest musculature.

Does anyone have any experience? Any suggestions?
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Replies

  • sgt1372
    sgt1372 Posts: 3,977 Member
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    FWIW I don't think that your objective should be focused on achieving a specific BF level.

    Your man boobs developed over many yrs of being overweight and, like all excess skin that remains after a significant loss of wt, there may be no way to eliminate them even if you drop your BF further, especially if you've already done your best to build up the underlying muscles.

    If that is the case, your best recourse may be to consult w/a plastic surgeon experienced in fixing this problem.
  • Spadesheart
    Spadesheart Posts: 463 Member
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    sgt1372 wrote: »
    FWIW I don't think that your objective should be focused on achieving a specific BF level.

    Your man boobs developed over many yrs of being overweight and, like all excess skin that remains after a significant loss of wt, there may be no way to eliminate them even if you drop your BF further, especially if you've already done your best to build up the underlying muscles.

    If that is the case, your best recourse may be to consult w/a plastic surgeon experienced in fixing this problem.

    Chest does lag as a muscle group for me, so it's possible that the musculature isn't developed enough yet to make a visible dent, so to speak. My bench is like 155 right now. This in conjunction with still wanting to lose more weight is part of why I wanted to try losing a bit more and building a bit more before I go somewhere overseas to do the surgery.
  • Spadesheart
    Spadesheart Posts: 463 Member
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    Sunshine_And_Sand wrote: »
    Have you talked with your doctor about this?
    I say this because there are other conditions that resemble Gynecomastia, and some of them would need treating. There are also underlying conditions that could cause Gynecomastia, and some of them would need treating. Your doctor may want to run some tests to determine if there is anything that can be or needs to be done for this.
    It may also be that you just need to stick to your original plan with this, but you wouldn’t know for sure if that’s your best course without getting it evaluated by a physician. I’d say it’s worth getting checked out in case something more is going on.
    Good luck!

    I did but he was somewhat dismissive and didn't really have a great deal of knowledge on the subject it seemed. I had a blood test done, while my testosterone has been low for most of my life, it actually isn't now because of the exercise, so I can't even do some sort of hormonal supplimentation.

    What else could it be?
  • Spadesheart
    Spadesheart Posts: 463 Member
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    Azdak wrote: »
    Spadesheart wrote: »
    Sunshine_And_Sand wrote: »
    Have you talked with your doctor about this?
    I say this because there are other conditions that resemble Gynecomastia, and some of them would need treating. There are also underlying conditions that could cause Gynecomastia, and some of them would need treating. Your doctor may want to run some tests to determine if there is anything that can be or needs to be done for this.
    It may also be that you just need to stick to your original plan with this, but you wouldn’t know for sure if that’s your best course without getting it evaluated by a physician. I’d say it’s worth getting checked out in case something more is going on.
    Good luck!

    I did but he was somewhat dismissive and didn't really have a great deal of knowledge on the subject it seemed. I had a blood test done, while my testosterone has been low for most of my life, it actually isn't now because of the exercise, so I can't even do some sort of hormonal supplimentation.

    What else could it be?

    Doing a 10 min internet search suggested that there can be a number of medical factors involved, not just low T. I applaud you for the steps you have already taken and the results you have achieved.

    Given be amount of weight loss in a year, I think you are still in the earlier phase of body recomposition. So I would continue along that path. I know it can be frustrating to deal with the medical system when you are trying to get help with a more specialized condition. But I also think there still might be some hormonal imbalance or other health condition that might be relevant and could be treated.

    As far as I know, my hormones are currently well balanced, but that wouldn't really account for damage done over like a decade of it not being in balance.

    I will definitely do some more reading and working towards body recomposition. I just don't want to have to be able to bench 500 lbs for my chest to finally look right haha
  • Spadesheart
    Spadesheart Posts: 463 Member
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    iheartmyyorkie wrote: »
    Maybe get checked out by a Dr. that specializes in cosmetic surgery, since your regular doctor was clueless.They can determine by a physical exam if you are dealing with excessive breast growth, or if it's just body fat. Also, be aware that testosterone supplementation can also cause gynecomastia, as excessive testosterone in the body is converted to estrogen by the liver, which can then stimulate breast tissue growth. I had the real thing as a teenager, on one side. The Dr. said it was idiopathic, meaning from unknown cause. Losing weight didn't help and I had to have the excessive tissue surgically removed.

    Oh great, someone with the experience. Does this look like the real thing to you?

    How much did the surgery cost, and was it difficult?
  • NovusDies
    NovusDies Posts: 8,940 Member
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    Spadesheart wrote: »
    Sunshine_And_Sand wrote: »
    Have you talked with your doctor about this?
    I say this because there are other conditions that resemble Gynecomastia, and some of them would need treating. There are also underlying conditions that could cause Gynecomastia, and some of them would need treating. Your doctor may want to run some tests to determine if there is anything that can be or needs to be done for this.
    It may also be that you just need to stick to your original plan with this, but you wouldn’t know for sure if that’s your best course without getting it evaluated by a physician. I’d say it’s worth getting checked out in case something more is going on.
    Good luck!

    I did but he was somewhat dismissive and didn't really have a great deal of knowledge on the subject it seemed. I had a blood test done, while my testosterone has been low for most of my life, it actually isn't now because of the exercise, so I can't even do some sort of hormonal supplimentation.

    What else could it be?

    I don't think hormonal supplementation would have worked anyway. I am not sure if it is too late now and I could be wrong but if hormones are the problem wouldn't you need an estrogen blocker to keep your body from converting testosterone to estrogen?

    Again I could be wrong. My knowledge here is incomplete as it it is not one of my fields of even amateur study.
  • Spadesheart
    Spadesheart Posts: 463 Member
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    NovusDies wrote: »
    Spadesheart wrote: »
    Sunshine_And_Sand wrote: »
    Have you talked with your doctor about this?
    I say this because there are other conditions that resemble Gynecomastia, and some of them would need treating. There are also underlying conditions that could cause Gynecomastia, and some of them would need treating. Your doctor may want to run some tests to determine if there is anything that can be or needs to be done for this.
    It may also be that you just need to stick to your original plan with this, but you wouldn’t know for sure if that’s your best course without getting it evaluated by a physician. I’d say it’s worth getting checked out in case something more is going on.
    Good luck!

    I did but he was somewhat dismissive and didn't really have a great deal of knowledge on the subject it seemed. I had a blood test done, while my testosterone has been low for most of my life, it actually isn't now because of the exercise, so I can't even do some sort of hormonal supplimentation.

    What else could it be?

    I don't think hormonal supplementation would have worked anyway. I am not sure if it is too late now and I could be wrong but if hormones are the problem wouldn't you need an estrogen blocker to keep your body from converting testosterone to estrogen?

    Again I could be wrong. My knowledge here is incomplete as it it is not one of my fields of even amateur study.

    I've done cursory reading, but I'm not really certain. From what I see, if it is true gynocomastia, there is very little you can do other than surgery.

    This is why I was wondering if anyone conquered this through diet and exercise alone, getting their body fat low enough to make them not apparent. There isn't actually too much written about that.
  • COGypsy
    COGypsy Posts: 1,165 Member
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    If you're concerned about hormonal irregularities, I'd ask your GP for a referral to an endocrinologist to do further testing. Otherwise, you're probably in the same boat as a lot of women are when it comes to breasts and weight loss. The ultimate results will depend on the individual ratio of fat to breast tissue. If you have a tendency to hold fat in your chest area, then weight/fat loss should solve a lot of the problem. If it's breast tissue and not fat, then you'll most likely have to look to medical or surgical options. I don't know how you'd begin to tell the difference as a male. I found out from my radiologist at my mammogram that I shouldn't expect to lose any significant breast size with weight loss due to the amount of breast tissue I have relative to fat.

    I'd definitely suggest consulting with an endocrinologist to dig deeper, though.
  • watts6151
    watts6151 Posts: 887 Member
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    If it’s gyno the leaner you get the more
    Pronounced It will be,
  • Sunshine_And_Sand
    Sunshine_And_Sand Posts: 1,320 Member
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    Spadesheart wrote: »
    Sunshine_And_Sand wrote: »
    Have you talked with your doctor about this?
    I say this because there are other conditions that resemble Gynecomastia, and some of them would need treating. There are also underlying conditions that could cause Gynecomastia, and some of them would need treating. Your doctor may want to run some tests to determine if there is anything that can be or needs to be done for this.
    It may also be that you just need to stick to your original plan with this, but you wouldn’t know for sure if that’s your best course without getting it evaluated by a physician. I’d say it’s worth getting checked out in case something more is going on.
    Good luck!

    I did but he was somewhat dismissive and didn't really have a great deal of knowledge on the subject it seemed. I had a blood test done, while my testosterone has been low for most of my life, it actually isn't now because of the exercise, so I can't even do some sort of hormonal supplimentation.

    What else could it be?

    Here’s a link to the Mayo Clinic site with some information on that.

    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gynecomastia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351799

    Also, I’m not a doctor and even if I were, I’ve never even met you, so I’m not saying you have any of those things you see as you click through the pages, just that it’d be nice to rule them out.

    Also, if you feel like your doctor isn’t taking you seriously, I agree with others who mentioned seeing a specialist or even another GP for a second opinion.
  • Spadesheart
    Spadesheart Posts: 463 Member
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    COGypsy wrote: »
    If you're concerned about hormonal irregularities, I'd ask your GP for a referral to an endocrinologist to do further testing. Otherwise, you're probably in the same boat as a lot of women are when it comes to breasts and weight loss. The ultimate results will depend on the individual ratio of fat to breast tissue. If you have a tendency to hold fat in your chest area, then weight/fat loss should solve a lot of the problem. If it's breast tissue and not fat, then you'll most likely have to look to medical or surgical options. I don't know how you'd begin to tell the difference as a male. I found out from my radiologist at my mammogram that I shouldn't expect to lose any significant breast size with weight loss due to the amount of breast tissue I have relative to fat.

    I'd definitely suggest consulting with an endocrinologist to dig deeper, though.

    So, due to really intense tissue pain a couple weeks ago in one side there, I did get an ultrasound (?) done on the area. The person doing the test said that from her perspective, if I had gynocomastia it would be mild, but she's not a doctor and doesn't know how to actually diagnose. Haven't heard back from my physician about that quite yet.

    If that were the case, I should be able to at least get rid of a lot of it, but that fat is just being stubborn. I'm 198 right now, 6'3" with a decent amount of muscle. I should almost be on the lean side by now, but by my chest and tummy, I'm not quite looking good yet.

    Here's hoping soon.
  • Spadesheart
    Spadesheart Posts: 463 Member
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    Sunshine_And_Sand wrote: »
    Spadesheart wrote: »
    Sunshine_And_Sand wrote: »
    Have you talked with your doctor about this?
    I say this because there are other conditions that resemble Gynecomastia, and some of them would need treating. There are also underlying conditions that could cause Gynecomastia, and some of them would need treating. Your doctor may want to run some tests to determine if there is anything that can be or needs to be done for this.
    It may also be that you just need to stick to your original plan with this, but you wouldn’t know for sure if that’s your best course without getting it evaluated by a physician. I’d say it’s worth getting checked out in case something more is going on.
    Good luck!

    I did but he was somewhat dismissive and didn't really have a great deal of knowledge on the subject it seemed. I had a blood test done, while my testosterone has been low for most of my life, it actually isn't now because of the exercise, so I can't even do some sort of hormonal supplimentation.

    What else could it be?

    Here’s a link to the Mayo Clinic site with some information on that.

    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gynecomastia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351799

    Also, I’m not a doctor and even if I were, I’ve never even met you, so I’m not saying you have any of those things you see as you click through the pages, just that it’d be nice to rule them out.

    Also, if you feel like your doctor isn’t taking you seriously, I agree with others who mentioned seeing a specialist or even another GP for a second opinion.

    I think you're right, I'm going to ask for a specialist maybe.
  • aokoye
    aokoye Posts: 3,495 Member
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    Spadesheart wrote: »
    COGypsy wrote: »
    If you're concerned about hormonal irregularities, I'd ask your GP for a referral to an endocrinologist to do further testing. Otherwise, you're probably in the same boat as a lot of women are when it comes to breasts and weight loss. The ultimate results will depend on the individual ratio of fat to breast tissue. If you have a tendency to hold fat in your chest area, then weight/fat loss should solve a lot of the problem. If it's breast tissue and not fat, then you'll most likely have to look to medical or surgical options. I don't know how you'd begin to tell the difference as a male. I found out from my radiologist at my mammogram that I shouldn't expect to lose any significant breast size with weight loss due to the amount of breast tissue I have relative to fat.

    I'd definitely suggest consulting with an endocrinologist to dig deeper, though.

    So, due to really intense tissue pain a couple weeks ago in one side there, I did get an ultrasound (?) done on the area. The person doing the test said that from her perspective, if I had gynocomastia it would be mild, but she's not a doctor and doesn't know how to actually diagnose. Haven't heard back from my physician about that quite yet.

    If that were the case, I should be able to at least get rid of a lot of it, but that fat is just being stubborn. I'm 198 right now, 6'3" with a decent amount of muscle. I should almost be on the lean side by now, but by my chest and tummy, I'm not quite looking good yet.

    Here's hoping soon.

    Honestly you need to see a specialist. None of us can diagnose you, nor can you diagnose yourself. Whether or not corrective surgery would be covered by your insurance is going to be dependent on your individual insurance plan and, assuming you have gynecomastia, the cause of it. That said, we don't even know if you need corrective surgery (even if you have gynecomastia). If your current doctor is being dismissive, and it sounds like they are, see a different doctor. This could be said for just about any medical issue.
  • Yidrey
    Yidrey Posts: 20 Member
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    Gyno formed during your teens or after a steroid cycle have to be surgecally removed. Maybe if its not too bad shrink the lump wih drugs, but I dont think you should do that. Are you sure you have gyno? Gyno its a hard lump which is painfull or very sensitive on touch. Or is it fat? Best go to a dr.
  • Spadesheart
    Spadesheart Posts: 463 Member
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    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Spadesheart wrote: »
    So, I have lost about 70 pounds this year. I've done this through calorie restriction of course, but also close monitoring of protein, cardio, and fairly frequent weight training. As such, I've actually put on a fair bit of muscle in the process.

    Unfortunately, my number 3 reason to lose weight, behind being better for me and being better for people I care about, was getting rid of the moobs, and that just isn't happening. I am quite sure I have a somewhat bad case of gynecomastia, which makes sense, considering I've been fat all through my teenage years and adult life until now. I just want to look okay without a shirt for once in my life man.

    Gynecomastia leaves me with 3 options to achieve my goal of looking okay without a shirt. One, I get the surgery. 2, I build enough chest muscle as to make the fat appear to just be muscle. Or 3, I just get my body fat low enough that they just can't persist as visibly. Maybe someday I will get the surgery, but I do want to give a combination of 2 and 3 a solid try.

    According to the navy method, i am about 22% body fat right now. Who knows if that's accurate, but visually it makes the most sense. In the following picture I am blocking the gynecomastia, but it's only marginally smaller than it was in the before. Before anyone says that I do look okay without a shirt, I am definitely sucking in and really flexing there. 1 am 195 lbs in the after picture, and I am 6'3". I don't know how much past 190 lbs i want to go unless it will look dramatically better.

    62q3y2c5j9e2.jpg

    Surely there is a body fat percentage that I can aim for that would make the chesticles not so apparent. There are a lot of lady body builders without prominent breasts, so there must be an achievable thing to aim towards, in conjunction with more well developed chest musculature.

    Does anyone have any experience? Any suggestions?

    Nice job in the After pic - great progress so far!

    It would be helpful if you showed us a non-covered picture - while we can't diagnose gynecomastia, it's possible that your "moobs" are a lot smaller than you think they are - often it takes a while for our eyes and brains to catch up with our changes.

    Meanwhile, do keep lifting and see a specialist.

    Will do... shortly. Had to take a couple months off from the diet and exercise as my body started to reject it. Just coming back into condition now, should be there in a couple weeks for a fair comparison.

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