Male Gynecomastia and Surgical Treatment Options
Posted on 11. May, 2009 by Valerie in Cosmetic Imperfections, Surgical Procedures
Gynecomastia is another term for enlargement of the breast tissue in males. The condition is caused when fatty tissues swell in the chest. It can occur on one or both sides of the chest and can be related to diet, testosterone levels, or a side effect of some medications.
While gynecomastia is benign, it can have a strong impact on self esteem. Many males are embarrassed by the condition. Drug induced gynecomastia can be reversed by cessation of the drug, but many cases of gynecomastia cannot be naturally reversed. For men in this situation, however, cosmetic surgery can be an option.
Gynecomastia can be treated in a number of ways, depending on the cause of the condition. When the condition is caused by obesity or weight, liposuction is the most common treatment. Much like in other liposuction surgeries, a pump or syringe is used to remove the fatty tissue from the area, reducing the appearance of the breasts.
True gynecomastia, when the cause is swelling of the actual breast tissue, is treated through excision. Breast tissue cannot be removed by suction, so an incision is made in the lower areola and the breast tissue is removed. Because the areola is pigmented and the incision is made around the area, scarring is usually minimal and hard to detect.
It is also possible for a patient to exhibit swelling of both the fatty tissue and the breast tissue concurrently. When this occurs, the resulting gynecomastia is treated through a combination of both liposuction and incision. This combination of treatments allows for better sculpting of the chest and a more natural appearance.
It is important to note that larger incisions may have to be made in cases where the tissue is larger. Incisions around the areola are typically used in cases where the breast tissue is relatively small, comparable to a female A or B cup size, but flap incisions may be necessary in larger breasts. The incisions that will be needed to perform a successful gynecomastia surgery will be determined by your surgeon.
If you suffer from gynecomastia and feel that it has a significant impact on your self esteem, it is recommended that you speak first with a doctor to ensure that there is no medical reason for the condition. If this is the case, it can be worthwhile to talk with a cosmetic surgeon about gynecomastia treatments. With the right surgery, embarrassing swelling can be eliminated, eliminating self esteem problems related to gynecomastia.
