Men who have enlarged breast tissue can struggle with how they look and may not know what options are available to them. One of the most effective methods for reducing glandular tissue is gynecomastia surgery. Learn more about gynecomastia, who it can affect, and why surgery is the best way to manage it.
Understanding Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia refers to an enlargement of male breast tissue. Although it can affect men of all ages, it’s most common in newborns, adolescents, and older adults. Because estrogen is responsible for the growth of glandular breast tissue, gynecomastia usually points to an imbalance in hormone levels.
In some men, the condition can be the result of taking certain medications, like antidepressants, prostate cancer medicine, and antibiotics. Medical conditions can also be responsible, including kidney disease, liver disease, and testicular cancer. Another common cause is obesity.
For newborns or adolescents, gynecomastia might go away on its own when hormones balance out. In individuals who have chronic low levels of testosterone, however, it may be permanent without some form of treatment.
Although gynecomastia isn’t dangerous, it can impact self-esteem and self-confidence, potentially resulting in poor mental health. If your gynecomastia isn’t caused by medications or illnesses, one of the most effective options you have is gynecomastia surgery.
What Is Gynecomastia Surgery?
Gynecomastia surgery refers to male breast reduction surgery. It reduces the size of male breast tissue by removing excess fat and tissue from the chest. It’s an elective surgical procedure that can make a world of difference in how you see yourself.
You have a few options for how to go about this cosmetic surgery procedure, including liposuction and the excision of excess skin. Because you’ll have to receive general anesthesia, it’s a procedure that you will want to discuss thoroughly with your doctor to ensure it’s the right choice for your health level.
Gynecomastia Surgery in NYC: Are You a Good Candidate?
Good candidates for gynecomastia surgery are men with enlarged breast tissue who have tried all alternatives to fix the problem. Since it’s a surgical procedure, you cannot have any life-threatening medical conditions and need to be in good overall health. You must also be a non-smoker. If you do smoke, you’ll have to quit well ahead of time so that you can heal without issue.
It’s also important that you have realistic expectations regarding the results of the surgery. The best candidates are those whose breast development has stabilized and who are able to take the time to recover.
Some people may not be the best candidates. If you have a bleeding issue or a medical condition that affects the healing process, this surgery is likely not a good option in your situation. With an evaluation, your surgeon will be able to help you understand whether this surgery is the right choice or not.
What to Expect From the Procedure
What is gynecomastia surgery really like? The first thing that your surgeon will require is a consultation to examine you. They’ll look at your medical history and get an idea of what your aesthetic goals are.
You may have to have a complete blood work, EKG and other tests, too, to get a sense of your overall health level. They’ll also screen you for male breast cancer and give you a clear idea of the gynecomastia surgery cost in New York.
To prepare, you’ll have to stop taking blood thinners and stop smoking. Your cosmetic surgeon will tell you how many hours before surgery you’ll have to stop eating and drinking. On the day of the surgery, which will be an outpatient appointment, you’ll be placed under general anesthesia, and your surgeon will begin the breast reduction procedure.
Liposuction
For many patients, the only necessary step in the surgery to reduce breast size is the removal of excess fat. Surgeons do this using a thin metal cannula, through which the fat is suctioned off. Because only a small hole is necessary for the cannula, you don’t have to worry about significant scarring.
The liposuction process is best suited for people who have good skin elasticity and mild-to-moderate excess fatty tissue rather than glandular tissue.
Excision
Some male patients might have excess glandular tissue or conditions that are a bit more severe. In such cases, excision is typically the best option. This process involves removing excess skin and breast tissue. This surgical removal might result in more scarring than the liposuction process, but your doctor will tell you all about that before the procedure.
Combined Procedure
In some cases, both liposuction and excision are necessary to offer the result you’re looking for. You’ll have a few incisions for this surgery option, but your surgeon will do everything possible to keep scarring to a minimum.
Recovering From Gynecomastia Surgery
This cosmetic surgery procedure requires that you take some time to recover, which means you must avoid engaging in significant physical activity for at least two weeks. If your surgeon chooses to use drains, you’ll have these in place for one or two weeks before having them removed at the clinic.
You can use over-the-counter pain medication to treat any discomfort, though your doctor may also give you prescription pills. After about a week, you can return to work if you have a desk job, depending on how you feel.
For between five and seven weeks, you’ll have to wear a compression garment to improve your chest contour and reduce swelling. You can start light physical activity after two weeks. Overall, gynecomastia surgery recovery time is around six weeks, though this depends on the type of procedure you had.
Giving Your Self-Esteem a Boost
If your self-image has taken a hit because of gynecomastia, you have a chance to fix the issue. Gynecomastia surgery allows you to get rid of all of that excess skin and fat so that you can start feeling confident in how you look.