Gynecomastia is a condition that makes the male breast tissue larger and it can affect them at any age. The causes behind these can be many including hormonal imbalances, side effects of medications, and genetics. 

While gynecomastia is not a harmful condition it can make a man feel self-conscious about their body leading to social issues. This can make choosing clothes harder, skipping workouts or even feeling embarrassed in certain cases. 

The best way to address this issue is gynecomastia surgery which is also known as breast reduction. This procedure will remove the excess tissue and give the chest a more contoured look that will significantly improve the body’s appearance.

In this blog, we will focus on the reasons why many men consider gynecomastia surgery and its benefits. Having the right information will provide the right information on how this procedure can make men feel better and confident about their bodies. 

What is Male Breast Reduction Surgery (Gynecomastia Surgery)
?

Gynecomastia is a condition present in men that involves the enlargement of breast tissues. This condition is mostly present in adolescent boys but also in men under the age of 50.

Even though this condition can be present in men at every age, surgeons suggest surgical intervention when the body has fully developed. This is important because the results will not be as good due to the fact that the breast tissues will continue to grow even after surgery if performed at an early age. 

Age is an important aspect to consider because it ensures that the outcomes will be effective in the long term, reducing the need to undergo the same procedure twice.

What Are The Causes of Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a result of several factors combined together which all contribute to the enlargement of the breast tissues in males. Understanding the cause behind this condition is very important since it will help you find the right treatment and preventative measures. 

Underlying Health Conditions

In many cases, gynecomastia will be a result of underlying health conditions. Some of these conditions can be obesity, chromosomal disorders, liver conditions, hyperthyroidism, hypogonadism, or kidney failure. 

Since the male breast tissue needs hormonal balance to stay on a normal side these conditions will disrupt it and cause this issue. 

Excess Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol and substance abuse can be another common issue that causes gynecomastia. Drinking alcohol alters body mass index (BMI), the ratio of muscle to fat, and hormonal balances, all of which can result in increased breast tissue. 

Furthermore, it is well-known that substances including heroin, amphetamines, methadone, and marijuana alter hormone levels and are all associated with gynecomastia.

The Side-Effect Of Several Medications

By changing hormone levels, several drugs might cause gynecomastia as an unexpected side effect. The condition may be caused by drugs like steroids, certain antibiotics, heart problem medicines, AIDS therapies, anti-androgens (used to treat prostate cancer), antidepressants, and medications for ulcers. 

To evaluate the possible connection, people with gynecomastia symptoms should talk to their doctor about their prescription plan.

Weight Gain And Hormonal Imbalances

Increased body fat, which frequently builds up in the chest, is a result of obesity and disrupts the hormonal balance of the body. All genders have estrogen, sometimes known as the “female” hormone, in addition to male hormones. 

The maintenance of normal gender-specific features depends on the hormones’ appropriate balance. However, diseases like gynecomastia in men can be caused by hormonal imbalances, such as high estrogen levels in comparison to androgens.

How Is Gynecomastia Diagnosed?

The diagnosis process of gynecomastia is a step-by-step approach that includes several steps. Some of these steps are, reviewing the medical history of the patient, physical examination, and in rare cases even diagnostic tests. 

Here are some of the steps explained in detail:

Review Of The Medical History 

The first step of the gynecomastia diagnostic process includes a thorough review of the patient’s medical history. You need to tell your esthetician or surgeon everything they need to know including medication use, health history, and any existing medical condition. 

Knowing this type of information will help the esthetician understand what might be the cause behind this and find the right treatment for it. 

Physical Examination

The next step will be a physical examination. This process is very important since the surgeon will be able to assess the physical characteristics of the breast tissue.

They will also examine the size, fitness, and asymmetry of the breast and check for any sign that might lead to an unknown underlying issue that is causing this enlargement. 

This will be a necessary step since it helps differentiate gynecomastia from other types of breast enlargement caused by other issues such as fatty tissue accumulation. This will feel different from the glandular tissue that is noticeable in gynecomastia. 

Additional Diagnostic Tests

Besides these two important diagnostic steps, the surgeon might also recommend additional ones. This will depend on the findings from the previous examinations.

A blood test could be required if the surgeon needs to check the hormone levels, liver functions, and any other abnormalities that can indicate a relationship with breast tissue growth. 

Additionally, imaging, ultrasound, and mammography can also be recommended in some cases to assess the breast tissue in more detail. This will help assess whether gynecomastia is the condition or if there is another issue behind this excessive growth of breast tissue.

Who Is An Ideal Candidate For Male Breast Reduction Surgery?

For men who are dealing with enlarged breast tissue, male breast reduction will be an important decision. If this is the case for you and you are considering this procedure it is important to consult a specialised surgeon.

To assess weather you are suitable for this treatment or not they will be based on several key criteria including:

Excessive Breast Tissue

The main criteria that makes you suitable for gynecomastia surgery is the presence of excessive glandular tissue. This tissue will not respond to diet or exercise meaning that this is not an issue of weight gain. 

Physical Discomfort

If you notice feelings of pain, tenderness, or sensitivity in the breast area you may be considered a suitable candidate for gynecomastia surgery. This condition will go beyond physical symptoms, but will also impact your emotional and psychological well-being.

Willing To Quit Smoking

If you are a smoker you will not be suitable for gynecomastia surgery. This will lead to complications during and after the surgery.

If you are considering getting this surgery done you should be a non-smoker or willing to give it up at least for quite some time. This way you will make sure the risks are reduced and the healing process goes smoothly.

Following The Surgeons Advice 

After gynecomastia surgery, you should know that for the results to last for a long time you should maintain a normal weight after surgery. So keep in mind you should be willing to commit to a healthy lifestyle.

If you gain a lot of weight or lose it the results can be impacted since the distribution of the body fat can change leading to an unpleasant look. 

Having Realistic Expectations

Like with any other surgery, it is important for the patients to have realistic expectations on what can be achieved and what not. By understanding what can and what cannot be achieved by  this surgery will be very helpful for you. 

Impact On Daily Activities

If the enlarged breast size that is a result of gynecomastia is bothering you, then gynecomastia surgery is the right treatment for you. We know that this issue can affect everything starting from physical activity to limiting the clothes choice. 

Gynecomastia Surgery Procedure

As we mentioned before, gynecomastia surgery aims to treat the appearance of enlarged male breasts. This will be achieved by the removal of excess fat and glandular tissue. 

Here is a step-by-step on how the gynecomastia surgery will go and what it includes: 

Administration Of General Anaesthesia

The fist step of this procedure will be the administration of general anesthesia. This will put you to sleep to ensure comfort and a pain-free procedure.

This step does not only make the process easier for the patient but also for the surgeon as they will make the necessary changes without being interrupted by the patient. 

Making Surgical Incisions

Once the anesthesia has done its job, the surgeon will make small incisions underneath the natural folds of the breasts or around the areola. This placement of the incisions makes sure that the scarring is as discreet as possible and once it is healed you will not notice it at all.

Liposuction Technique

To remove the excess fatty tissue in the breasts, the surgeon will use the liposuction method. This includes inserting a thin tube called cannula in the incisions that were previously made.

This divide will lose the fat cells before they are ready to be suctioned out of the breasts. After the procedure you will notice huge improvements on your chest area.

Excision Of Glandular Tissue

In cases when the patient has a larger amount of glandular tissue, surgical excision will be recommended. This denser, fibrous tissues cannot be treated with liposuction so excision will be necessary. 

Additionally, removing excess skin may also be necessary in some cases. This will result in a more contoured and natural chest area. 

Postoperative Recovery And Aftercare

After the procedure is done, you will need to go through with the healing process. Your surgeon will discuss with you specific care instructions that you should follow to heal properly and fast. 

Some of the after care advice that you should follow include, wearing compression garments, using prescribed medications to reduce swelling and pain and avoiding physical exercise for at least one month. 

Can Gynecomastia Come Back After Surgery?

One thing that you might wonder is the longevity of male breast reduction surgery results. While this surgery offers great results for those who have excess glandular tissue and fat, proper aftercare is very important. Once the results settle and you fully recover your breast will look more contoured and aesthetically pleasing. 

Permanent Removal of Excess Tissue

The extra glandular tissue and fat that give the impression of larger breasts are surgically removed during male breast reduction surgery. Since these tissues do not regrow or return after removal, this is a major benefit of the treatment.

This will reduce the discomfort and you will feel better with your body. However it is important to maintain a stable weight after the treatment, although the breasts will not regrow, the other parts of the body will get impacted making the body look disproportional. 

Factors Impacting Long-Term Results

While the results of gynecomastia surgery will last for a lifetime, there are some factors that can impact the look off your chest. Here are some of this factors:

Weight changes: If you gain a lot of weight after the results of the surgery have settled in, the look of your chest will be impacted. This will lead to fat tissue accumulation in different parts of the body, aligned with the chest. This can mimic the appearance of gynecomastia. On the other hand, losing a significant amount of weight will also impact the results as it can lead to loose skin around the area. 

Aging: As we grow older our body will start to change and the skin will get looser due to the loss of skin elasticity. This will alter the appearance of the chest area even after the results of the surgery have settled in. 

Hormonal imbalances: Another factor that impacts the results after gynecomastia surgery will be hormonal changes. Keep this in mind and do the right research on how to prevent this issue from happening and what steps should you consider.

Maintaining Your Results

If you are looking for the best way to maintain the results after male gynecomastia surgery, keep in mind that keeping a stable weight, eating healthy and keeping your hormones in balance will help you. This will also help keep your whole body in shape and ensure the many benefits of the surgery.

Following the surgeon’s advice will be crucial during this time so postoperative care is very important not only immediately after the surgery but also for long term results.