Gynecomastia can be caused by several reasons such as hormonal imbalances, underlying health conditions, or side effects of medication. Major cases of gynecomastia occur during puberty in boys. While also, newborn babies and older men suffer from gynecomastia alike.
Surgery isn’t always recommended for everyone with gynecomastia as many choose to address the cause or accept their body as it is. Often, gynecomastia will resolve itself within six months to three years. Anyway, for the best plastic surgery experience, we recommend Miguel Delgado, MD.
What Is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a condition whereby the breast is overdeveloped or enlarged in men which may occur at any age but mostly during the puberty stage. This condition can be a result of hormonal changes, heredity, genetics, obesity, or the aftereffect of certain medications.
Gynecomastia is likely to cause emotional discomfort and could adversely affect your self-confidence. While some men may go to the length of avoiding certain physical activities to hide their condition.
How To Identify Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is characterized by excess localized fat, excess glandular tissue development, and excess breast skin. Though gynecomastia is not normally a serious problem, its symptoms include swelling and tenderness in the breast gland tissue of both or one of the breasts. This may start as an uneven lump or fatty tissue developing around a person’s nipples.
Unusual and persistent swelling is another symptom of gynecomastia and it’s usually accompanied by pain, discomfort, and nipple discharge. If you notice any or combination of the above, you should see your physician.
Diagnosing Gynecomastia
The physician will ask you about your symptoms, medical and drug history, and in some cases your family history. Afterward, there will be a physical examination of your breast tissue which may extend to the genital and the abdomen.
If the cause is hormonal imbalance, the doctor may suggest that the condition should resolve on its own without surgical treatment.
In the instances where the lump is abnormally large, tender, or one-sided, the physician may order a biopsy or blood test, or any other test they deem fit to rule out breast cancer or other medical condition.
Gynecomastia Surgery
Surgery for gynecomastia is otherwise known as reduction mammaplasty. This surgical procedure is tailored to the patient’s needs. Your surgeon put into consideration your desired aesthetic outlook before carrying out any of these; liposuction, tissue excision, excess skin removal, or surgical adjustments to the nipple’s areola
Contraindications
Patients with breast cancer or obesity may think they need gynecomastia surgery. However the conditions are not the same though they may possess similar symptoms, the treatments are quite different. That’s why your physician will likely order some series of tests to rule out other causes of enlarged breasts and determine the appropriate recourse.
During the consultation and pre-operative examination, your surgeon will have to check if you have contraindications to surgery and general anesthesia. If you have lung or heart issues, general anesthesia may be too dangerous an option for you, so your physician will likely suggest other forms of sedation for your or a whole different form of treatment.
Potential Risk
Gynecomastia surgery comes with attendant risks applicable to anesthesia and other surgeries but also has some certain risks applicable which are; infection, blood clots, skin scarring around the breasts, bruising, pain and discomfort, asymmetrical or uneven shaped breasts, and changes in sensation around the areola.
Recovery Process
After the surgery, your physician may conclude on applying bandages, dressings, or putting drainage tubes to help you heal from the surgery. Also, you may be asked to wear compression garments to avoid swelling and promote quick healing.
Lastly, you may be prescribed some pain medication for the pain and advice on how to clean your wounds and when to start physical activities.
