Gynecomastia

When someone thinks of gynecomastia, the term “man boobs” often comes to mind. Gynecomastia can result for a number of reasons, but a hormonal imbalance of testosterone and estrogen is cited as most prevalent. For a man that takes pride in his physical appearance, the thought of anyone noticing your chest is a crippling fear that leaves you feeling hopeless. While this condition is known to be somewhat common (affecting more than 1/3 of the world’s men), the psychological effects that it can have are often detrimental to a man’s psyche.

Thankfully with the help of cosmetic surgery, gynecomastia surgery can help men improve their self-confidence again. For men who are diagnosed with this troubling condition, some are fortunate enough to outgrow the condition and go on to lead normal lives. But for the men that are forced to deal with swollen, excess tissue around the breasts, surgery is a suitable option to regain control by removing over-developed and enlarged breasts in men.

If you are considering gynecomastia surgery, here are five things you need to know before scheduling your surgery:

1) Cost
Like any major surgery, there is a price to pay to get the results you want. While the surgery is worth every penny, it is not necessarily cheap and deemed as elective surgery. It may not be a covered procedure by most insurance companies. If you are seriously considering surgery, but need to consider alternative payment options, there are convenient and affordable finance options available for qualifying individuals.

2) Recovery Time
Since this procedure involves the cutting of the skin, you are at potential risk of infection. It is imperative that post-surgery you follow the directions as guided by your surgeon for the best chance at a healthy recovery. There will be significant pain for the first few days following the procedure, and typically 4-6 weeks downtime is needed to fully heal.

3) How is the Procedure Performed?
Due to advances in liposuction technology, less invasive methods can be used to rid men of the excess skin on their chest. After administering local anesthesia, your surgeon will work to remove excess fat and/or glandular tissue, all while sculpting and contouring your new manlier chest that fits more naturally to your male physique. Recovery from liposuction is very manageable. Patients will be sent home with a compression garment to protect and cushion the chest area, and can likely return to work within three days' time.

4) Scarring
For a woman that undergoes breast reduction, incision scars are tucked beneath the breast fold, only visible if the breast were to be pulled up. For a man, there is no area to carefully hide these scars. For most gynecomastia cases, the surgeon will create an incision around the inferior border of the areola, extending slightly to each side. This is commonly referred to as a periareolar incision.

As time progresses in a patient's recovery, the site of the incision should fade nicely, becoming less apparent. It’s important to note that the type of incision is based in correlation to the severity of gynecomastia and is assessed strictly on a case-by-case basis. If completed successfully, the procedure should result in minimal scarring. Post-surgery care is crucial for reducing your risk of infection and excessive scarring. It’s important to consider that although you will be proud to show off your new manlier chest, you may not feel comfortable flaunting surgery scars for all to see right away.

5) Other Treatment Options
Depending on the level of severity, there are other means that can be used to successfully treat and diminish the appearance of gynecomastia. Some of these options can include:

Testosterone replacement therapy: has proven effective in older males with naturally lower levels of testosterone.
Home remedies: most of which involving special blends of certain vitamins and cold compresses.
Routine exercise: implementing a strict workout regimen that allows for a particular focus on building/strengthening the chest region may minimize gynecomastia.

If you are a male living with gynecomastia, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons when considering surgery.

Will you benefit more from the surgery than you would if you hadn’t done it?

Take a positive step towards the new you by scheduling a complimentary consultation with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who can answer your questions and guide you on the best path towards success.