Why Working Out Can Make “Man Boobs” Worse

There's a reason a lean, sculpted chest can still carry a stubborn bit of fullness right behind the nipple — and it's the one spot a thousand reps will never flatten. Dr. Hector Salazar-Reyes explains why glandular breast tissue in men sits exactly where it's hardest to hide, and why building up the muscle around it can make it stand out even more.Across the conversation with hostess Monique Ramsey, Dr. Salazar walks through the “polo shirt test” that tells most men whether they're a candidate, how he separates true glandular tissue from fat during the exam, and why steroids, certain medications, and even marijuana can trigger the condition long before middle age. Dr. Salazar divides the fix into two worlds: liposuction — including the high-definition version that helps the skin shrink and tighten — and direct excision, where the tissue comes out through a small incision around the areola. For the most severe cases, he reveals the “secret weapon” that flattens the chest completely and rebuilds the nipple from scratch.Hear what recovery really looks like, from compression garments to when weightlifters can pick the bar back up, and why nearly every man who finally does this says the same thing afterward: he should have done it years ago.LinksMeet San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Hector Salazar-ReyesLearn more about male breast reduction in San DiegoQuestions answered by this episodeWhat is gynecomastia, and what causes it?What's the difference between true gynecomastia and chest fat?Can working out get rid of man boobs?Why does my chest look worse after I lose weight or build muscle?What is the “polo shirt test” for gynecomastia?Can steroids, marijuana, or medications cause gynecomastia?What's the difference between liposuction and excision for male breast reduction?How much does male breast reduction cost in San Diego?How long does it take to recover from gynecomastia surgery?When can I lift weights again after male breast reduction?About this podcastLearn from the talented plastic surgeons inside La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, the 12x winner of the San Diego's Best Union-Tribune Readers Poll, global winner of the 2020 MyFaceMyBody Best Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery Practice, and the 2025 winner of Best Cosmetic Surgery Group in San Diego Magazine's Best of San Diego Awards.Join hostess Monique Ramsey as she takes you inside LJCSC, where dreams become real. Featuring the unique expertise of San Diego's most loved plastic surgeons, this podcast covers the latest trends in aesthetic surgery, including breast augmentation, breast implant removal, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, labiaplasty, facelifts and rhinoplasty.La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre is located just off the I-5 San Diego Freeway at 9850 Genesee Ave, Suite 130 in the Ximed building on the Scripps Memorial Hospital campus.To learn more, go to LJCSC.com or follow the team on Instagram @LJCSCWatch the LJCSC Dream Team on YouTube @LaJollaCosmeticSurgeryCentreThe La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Podcast is a production of The Axis: theaxis.ioTheme music: Busy People, SOOP