Gynecomastia Surgery | Male Breast Reduction
Gynecomastia Surgery, commonly known as Male Breast Reduction Surgery is one of the most popular of all male cosmetic surgeries.
Many men find themselves suffering from Gynecomastia, and although the condition is often given humorous names, such as “Man-Boobs”, or “Moobs”, for the many men with this problem, there is very little to laugh about.
Sufferers often become very self-conscious about the condition, avoiding situations that may involve removing their shirt. It can affect the ability to develop relationships with women, lead men to avoid going to the beach, and make participation in sports embarrassing.
If you are considering Gynecomastia surgery, you may already have explored some other, non-surgical options, and found them to be uneffective and a waste of money.
Gynecomastia simply means the development of abnormally large mammary glands in men, and the name is derived from the Greek words for “woman” and “breast”. There can be several different causes of gynecomastia in men, so there is not one single solution to the problem. However, gynecomastia surgery is definitely an option, once you have ascertained that the problem is not simply one of obesity.
Gynecomastia is not, in itself, harmful, although it may sometimes prove to be an indicator of underlying health problems. More, the problem with male breasts is the social awkwardness and psychological difficulties that the condition often causes.
In instances of true Gynecomastia, the only option is for the patient to get Gynecomastia Surgery.
Do I have Gynecomastia?
The appearance of male breasts is not in itself enough to be sure that you are suffering from gynecomastia. A similarly common condition is pseudo-gynecomastia, or false-gynecomastia, which is caused by issues with weight, or more specifically pockets of fat collecting in the breast are. In this instance, a regime of diet and exercise should be enough to shift the oversized breasts. Only after this has failed should surgery be considered!
Gynecomastia can sometimes be confused with the hypertrophy of the underlying muscles, due to exercise such as weight-lifting or swimming.
You should always seek advice from a qualified medical professional before investigating surgical options. Surgical operations should be performed by a board certified plastic surgeon.
What are the causes of gynecomastia?
There is not one single cause of gynecomastia, often referred to humorously as man-boobs, or moobs for short. The causes can be various, and are often a combination of factors. On occasion the appearance of man-boobs can be reduced by addressing the causes. For example, the condition may be caused by hormonal reactions to medication, in which case switching the medication can often help. Use of steroids is also known to cause male breast syndrome.
Sometimes, gynecomastia is entirely caused by pure glandular breast tissue, and in these cases, Gynecomastia Surgery, the surgical removal of the breast tissue is the only viable treatment.
Gynecomastia is sometimes also a hereditary condition.
How common are man-boobs?
Man-boobs are actually extremely common, and around one-third of males will have them at some point in their life. Adolescent males are particularly prone to man-boobs, although they sometimes resolve themselves in time.
In later life, man-boobs can become a problem, again, due to a loss of elasticity of the skin, combined with a loss of muscle-tone.
Are there any non-surgical treatments for Gynecomastia?
Often, Gynecomastia Surgery is likely to be most effective solution, albeit the most expensive way to correct male breasts. There are countless non-surgical man-boob remedies that can be purchased online; unfortunately these are generally regarded to be ineffective as well as quite expensive. Don’t waste your money!
There are proper medications that can have positive results on gynecomastia, although these are not universally approved. These are generally either estrogen inhibitors, or testosterone-based therapies. Of course, genuine gynecomastia treatments are not available online!
Am I a candidate for gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction)?
If you have gynecomastia, and are finding that it is causing you distress, male breast reduction surgery is certainly an option. You should make sure that you have tried exercise and diet, and also consulted a doctor, before getting male breast reduction.
How is Male Breast Reduction Surgery performed?
How male breast reduction surgery is performed depends on the type and degree of gynecomastia. In some instances, such as the case of pseudo-gynecomastia, the problem can be solved with liposuction. In most other cases, a surgical removal of the underlying breast tissue will be necessary, through small incisions that will be carefully made to be disguised by your bodies natural contours. In most cases, gynecomastia removal along with liposculpting of the chest has the best results. This is also called Chest Re Contouring by Dr.Tiller.
What are the risks with gynecomastia surgery?
All surgery carries with it some risk, and you should be aware of this before undertaking male breast reduction surgery. You will minimize the risks by using a reputable board certified plastic surgeon with experience in the gynecomastia procedure. You can also help by getting yourself into good shape before surgery, and abstaining from alcohol and smoking.
How painful is recovery from gynecomastia surgery?
Recovery from gynecomastia surgery is agreed to cause some pain and soreness, especially for the first few days. Lifting your arms above your head will be uncomfortable, and you will feel a soreness in the breast area. You will be prescribed pain-killers to help with the discomfort.