Some men tend to develop enlarged breasts because of excess breast tissue. The condition is not always because of being overweight but due to hormone imbalance. The results often have a negative physical and psychological impact. Not only does it look aesthetically unimpressive, but it also lowers the self-esteem. Enlarged breasts cause great embarrassment for men, that’s why more and more people with excess breast tissue seek plastic surgery. It’s the fastest and most effective way to get rid of gynecomastia. If you want to learn more about the procedures and fees involved in plastic surgery, please visit this link.
Understanding Gynecomastia
What is gynecomastia, and how does it develop? These are the most common questions that people with the said health condition always ask. However, it may look like normal at first, especially if you gain weight, excess breast tissue development may become physically abnormal. So, to determine when to seek help and undergo plastic surgery for male breast reduction, let’s define the meaning of gynecomastia first.
Gynecomastia: Hormone imbalance with increased levels of estrogen causes excess breast tissue to develop. This condition typically begins to develop during puberty. In most cases, the breast tissue decreases after the puberty stage. However, in the majority of cases, the enlarged breasts remain.
Common Causes of Gynecomastia or Enlarged Breasts in Men
- Obesity or excessive weight gain
- Smoking marijuana
- Anabolic steroids
- Hormone imbalance
How to Determine if You Have Gynecomastia
The health condition gynecomastia or enlarged breasts in men typically occurs on both breasts. However, in some cases, only one side is affected, or both sides with uneven excess breast tissue growth. Some of the most common signs and symptoms are tender, tight, or mobile disc-like lump on the breasts that are not as hard as those in breast cancer. Its location is usually at the centre of the breasts, or right below the nipples.
Note: When the uneven lumps are hard, immobile, and accompanied by fluid discharge, it may be early breast cancer signs. We highly recommend talking to your doctor to evaluate the condition.
Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Surgery is the safest and most effective way to treat gynecomastia. The procedure involves the extraction of excess breast tissue via liposuction and invasive techniques to remove the lumps. The initial steps include a physical examination and other methods like MRI or mammograms to determine if cancer is the enlarged breasts’ source. Your doctor will then ask you to stop the consumption of medications that can increase bleeding (in case you’re using them), and other stuff that can compromise the nutrition absorption needed for healing after the procedure; like smoking or drinking alcoholic drinks. The administration of anaesthesia depends on the severity of the situation. Larger lumps may require general anaesthetics, while oral sedation is enough for milder cases. Other methods are also employed to reduce swelling and bruising like a cold compress and compression vests. These techniques are also effective to alleviate pain and discomfort.
After Care for Male Breast Reduction Surgery
The recovery period and aftercare treatment are different between the invasive procedure and liposuction. Although both procedures are out-patient types, their healing time is not the same. Liposuction requires minimal rest, and exercises can be performed within days from the procedure. On the other hand, the invasive process recovery time needs longer rest for complete healing of tissues. It is typically safe to resume training after one or two weeks. However, we always recommend consulting your doctor before engaging in any physical activity that may affect the healing process of male breast reduction surgery.
Choosing the Right Plastic Surgery Doctor
The male breast reduction surgery is one of the most straightforward plastic surgery procedures to perform. However, if you want to achieve the best results, you should look for highly-skilled doctors. Here are some helpful tips when choosing the cosmetic surgeon for you:
- The skill level and Experience: You can ask the plastic surgeon about their surgeries’ experience and success rate. Most doctors, especially those specialise in plastic surgery, keep records and pictures of their patients’ before and after images. Remember, whether the procedure is invasive or not, it shouldn’t leave scars.
- Board Accreditation and Certification: The plastic surgeon should pass the required certification exams regulated in the country or region where you choose to have the plastic surgery performed. They should be experts in all areas, including liposuction, and chest shaping. Knowing that your plastic surgery doctor is qualified gives you peace of mind.
- Connection with Your Plastic Surgeon: You need to be comfortable with your doctor about why you would like to undergo male breast reduction surgery. The rapport builds trust and confidence, which adds to your peace of mind.
The Advantages and Benefits of Gynecomastia Surgery
- Enhances confidence
- Cost-effective
- Safe and easy to perform
- Minimal aftercare
- Inexpensive
Perhaps the biggest advantage of undergoing male breast reduction surgery is that you can improve other body parts with a single session. In some cases, fat grafting is performed to complete the plastic surgery. The excess fat from other parts of your body is removed and used to even out your chest’s shape. You can have a reduced fat on your hips, love handles, or arms, and thighs.
Possible Complications
Although the male breast reduction surgery’s success rate is relatively high, there are still chances of complications. Here are some of the most common complications that could happen:
- Scarring
- Shape deformity
- Nipple skin loss
- Nipple inversion
- Nipple numbness
- Sagging skin
- Fluid accumulation
- Bruising
- Bleeding
These are the possible complications that could happen to you if you did not choose the right doctor for the job. This is the reason why choosing the best plastic surgeon with certification plays an essential role. Other plastic surgeons offer a cheaper fee, but you must understand the risks involved.
Final Word
Don’t be ashamed if you want to get rid of gynecomastia. Everybody deserves to feel and look at their best. Undergoing the male breast reduction surgery is a rational choice. However, the key to success lies upon the skill and experience of the plastic surgeon. If you decided to have the surgery, always look for the best cosmetic surgeon to perform the job.