Gynecomastia is not an adverse medical condition. Rather, it is an enlargement of the male breasts due to increased tissue development. There are several causes for gynecomastia including a testosterone/estrogen hormone imbalance, liver disease, and the use of certain medications, particularly anabolic steroids and anti-androgens.
Cosmetic surgery is available for men who have enlarged breasts. Liposuction, excision, and heat probe treatment are several options. Before deciding to have a cosmetic or medical surgery performed, men with gynecomastia are encouraged to visit their primary care physician to ascertain whether an underlying medical condition is responsible for the enlargement of the breasts.
To find out of cosmetic surgery is the right treatment option for you, contact Real Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery to schedule your consultation with Dr. Stephen Salerno. With offices in Moonee Ponds and Werribee, Dr. Salerno can help determine the most appropriate treatment options for you, based on your needs.
Is Treatment Needed?
Quite often, gynecomastia develops in young teenage boys. During or soon after puberty, the breasts may become enlarged, tender to the touch, and even show some lumpiness. This is generally caused by the hormonal imbalance mentioned above, and the condition usually goes away after about 6-12 months.
In adult men, enlarged breasts may be a consequence of certain medication combinations being taken. Depending on the individual’s diet and overall health, a rise in the levels of estrogen may cause temporary or long-term breast tissue development.
Men who are concerned about excess breast tissue can have the issue diagnosed through a series of medical tests. These can include a male mammogram or other imaging studies, a testicular ultrasonography, and blood tests.
If the condition is linked to a health issue, appropriate treatment is needed. However, if the enlargement of the breasts is diagnosed as merely tissue growth caused by a hormone imbalance, medical treatment is often discouraged, and the patient may be referred to a cosmetic surgeon. Hormone therapy should only be considered if the imbalance has another, more serious underlying cause.
Cosmetic Treatments For Gynecomastia
Reduction mammoplasty is one of the most common procedures for enlarged male breasts. Excess sagging of the breasts may be treated with a more extensive plastic surgery method, similar to the practice of firming up breasts in female patients.
Liposuction is an effective means of removing excess fatty tissue. It is generally safe and is performed as an outpatient procedure. Excision involves the actual cutting away of excess tissue. A small series of incisions are made, and the scars heal rapidly, with no visible signs after about 30 days.
Heat probe treatment is another option. A small probe is inserted underneath the skin, and the procedure is monitored with an infrared display. The excess fatty tissue is literally melted away. A local anesthetic is applied when excision or heat treatment is performed.
Consult With A Professional
If you are experiencing enlarged male breasts due to an increase in breast tissue, and your condition has been diagnosed as a simple case of gynecomastia not associated with a serious medical condition, you can get all the facts by visiting a cosmetic surgeon specializing in this type of treatment – like Dr. Salerno. These cosmetic procedures are approved by the FDA and endorsed by the medical profession at-large. These treatments may be repeated if necessary, but in many cases the excess tissue buildup is a one-time occurrence that will not require additional cosmetic surgery.
