Gynecomastia
What is gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is the medical term for enlarged male breasts, which can afflict men of all age groups. One or both breasts may be affected by the excess fat and glandular tissue development that characterizes the problem. The condition can be caused due to factors as diverse as heredity, disease, hormonal changes, or use of particular drugs. Many men with the condition have their confidence knocked and experience prolonged emotional strain, often limiting their physical activities in order to conceal the gynecomastia.
Who can benefit from the treatment?
Healthy males of average weight, with a condition that cannot be corrected using non-surgical means, make good candidates for gynecomastia treatment. It is also important that the development of the breasts has broadly ceased, in order to avoid the need for further treatment in the future. For this reason adolescents might wish to wait a few more years, but it is still worthwhile to discuss the options with a professional. You should also have specific, realistic goals in mind and talk with your surgeon about the potential results.
Prior to the surgery:
In conjunction with the consultation, it may be useful for the surgeon to perform tests to ascertain the cause of the gynecomastia. This regularly involves examining your endocrine function. Exact measurements of the breasts will also be taken, including nipple and areola placement, so that the surgeon can successfully plan the treatment and maximize the chances of productive results.
How does gynecomastia correction surgery work?
The cosmetic surgery involved in treating gynecomastia is called reduction mammaplasty, and more than one option may be available. The surgeon will recommend the best course of action on the basis of individual factors such as your skin type, breast size, and most importantly the cause of your gynecomastia.
Liposuction is a viable method for correcting the problem when the condition was mainly caused due to excess fatty tissues. A cannula (hollow tube) is inserted into incisions in the anaesthetized patient and carefully moved back and forth to loosen excess fat, which can be sucked clean from the body.
Excision is the standard option for more serious cases in which correction requires the removal of excess skin or glandular breast tissue. Incisions are used to reach the skin or tissue to be removed, and the location of these will vary between cases. This technique is also used when sagging breasts stretch the areola and it needs to be reduced or repositioned. The nipple may also require repositioning for a more naturally male appearance.
Will there be scarring?
Incisions are always necessary and any scarring is permanent, but where possible all incisions are chosen to coincide with the body’s natural folds and contours for maximum discretion.
Recovery and Results
The incisions will need time to heal, along with swelling or bruising in the area. When these begin to clear, the effective results should be obvious. The results are designed for permanence, though this can depend on the cause of the gynecomastia: you must refrain from certain drugs or weight fluctuations if these were contributing factors.
How much does it cost?
The average cost of gynecomastia correction surgery is from $2500 to $3500. This can vary greatly between surgeons and locations, and also depends on the form of treatment. Most insurance companies will not cover the procedure.