Gynecomastia is the enlargement of breast tissue in men. It can be caused by an imbalance in hormones and can affect one or both breasts. Gynecomastia can occur at any age. The condition affects about 1 in 10 men, but it’s more common among teenage boys and older men.
Causes and Risk Factors of Gynecomastia
The condition can be caused by several factors, including:
Age: Gynecomastia is most common in young boys and older men.
Puberty: During puberty, the body produces an abundance of estrogen and testosterone. This can cause breast growth in boys who are going through puberty. –
Testosterone deficiency: Low levels of testosterone can cause breast growth. An imbalance can cause this in other hormones like estrogen or prolactin, or it could be due to an underlying medical condition such as hypothyroidism or Klinefelter syndrome.
Genetic predisposition: If you have gynecomastia in your family, there’s a good chance you’ll develop it too.
Obesity: Obesity is one of the common causes of gynecomastia, especially among teenagers and young men.
What is the Treatment for Gynecomastia?
The treatment for gynecomastia depends on the severity of the condition, but there are several ways to treat it. If you have a mild case of gynecomastia, the physician may recommend medication to reduce the size of your breasts.
If the condition is caused by hormonal imbalance, hormone replacement therapy may be helpful.
Surgery may be required if you have more severe cases of gynecomastia and want to get rid of it.
Surgery can be performed in several ways:
- Incisional biopsy—the surgeon cuts out the glandular tissue causing breast enlargement.
- Subcutaneous mastectomy involves removing fat, glandular tissue, and skin from your chest area.
- Periareolar incision—the surgeon cuts around your nipple and removes excess tissue under your areola.
What Does the Gynecomastia Procedure Involve?
The gynecomastia procedure involves liposuction, performed under local anesthesia. The procedure can be performed in the morning, and patients can return home afterward. Small incisions are made on each side of the chest during the procedure.
The doctor then removes excess fat and glandular tissue beneath the breast. The amount of tissue removed depends on how large your breasts are, so they can be reduced in size or eliminated.
Patients typically experience some bruising, swelling, and discomfort following the procedure. In most cases, you will be able to return to work within a few days after undergoing gynecomastia surgery.
What is the Recovery Time After Getting the Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
The recovery time after getting gynecomastia surgery varies from patient to patient, depending on the surgery performed. In general, you can expect to take it easy for a few days to a week after your procedure and then slowly ease back into normal activities as your body allows.
If you have liposuction as part of your treatment, you may be limited in what you can do for the first few days after surgery. Your doctor will provide specific instructions based on their assessment of your body and its needs.
You must follow all post-op instructions so your body can heal properly and safely.
What to Expect After the Male Breast Reduction Surgery?
The extent of these symptoms will vary from person to person. In most cases, the swelling and bruising will gradually subside within 2-3 weeks after surgery.
After surgery, you may experience numbness in the area where the incision was made. This numbness should resolve itself within a few weeks after your surgery.
You will be given specific instructions regarding how much activity you can do before and after your surgery.
You should avoid strenuous physical activity or contact sports for about three weeks after your gynecomastia procedure, as this could cause additional bleeding or bruising.
Who is a Candidate for Gynecomastia Surgery?
An ideal candidate is a man who,
- Is 18 years of age or older
- Have a body mass index (BMI) under 35
- Has been diagnosed with gynecomastia by a board-certified plastic surgeon
- Has realistic expectations about what can and cannot be achieved with this procedure
The expert Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi, perform gynecomastia surgery and offer a wide range of procedures, including liposuction, skin excision, nipple reduction/revision, and more. Our surgeons are highly trained to perform these procedures with minimal scarring and produce natural-looking results.
