Gynecomastia is a condition characterized by enlarged or overdeveloped breasts in a man. It can involve just one breast or both of them. Other characteristics include excess development of glandular tissue and localized fat deposits. Sometimes the patient also develops excess breast skin. Causes for gynecomastia vary from obesity, hormonal changes, certain drugs, and it could be hereditary.
What is gynecomastia surgery?
Several procedures are part of gynecomastia surgery. Either one or both may be used to reduce the breast size and improve the contour of a man’s chest. One of the procedures, liposuction, can be used when the gynecomastia is caused by excess fat deposits around the breasts. During liposuction, a cannula is inserted through several small incisions to loosen the fat deposits. After the fat deposits are broken up, they are vacuumed out of the body through the cannula.
The second procedure, excision, can be used when gynecomastia involves excess skin and/or glandular breast tissue. If the nipple needs to be moved or if the areola needs to be reduced, excision is used. In some cases, both liposuction and excision can be used together to treat gynecomastia.
Both procedures are performed under general anesthesia and could last roughly 1 to 2.5 hours depending if you get both liposuction and excision together or not.
Who is a good candidate?
Not everyone is a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery. If you are a healthy man or normal weight whose condition cannot be corrected through other means you could be a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery. The development of your breasts must have stabilized to get gynecomastia, partially because if you are not fully developed the breasts might come back or you might be content with the final outcome. Gynecomastia surgery isn’t recommended for those who smoke or use drugs (the exception being medication).
It is wise to have realistic expectations of the outcome of the surgery. If you don’t have realistic expectations and have the surgery, you might be disappointed with the outcome.
Preparing for surgery
Before undergoing gynecomastia surgery, you may be asked to get a physical and/or lab tests done. Leading up to the surgery, you might also be advised to avoid taking any aspirin, herbal supplements, and anti-inflammatory drugs for they all increase bleeding. In the case that you do smoke, you might be asked to stop before the procedure. The doctor might also adjust your medication dosages if you are taking any.
If you think you are a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery or have any questions and concerns, Mr. Salerno and our highly trained staff at Real Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery could be able to assist you. Please feel free to contact us to schedule your consultation today.
