Liposuction For Gynecomastia
In this post, we review the aspects of Liposuction For Gynecomastia, gynecomastia liposuction vs excision, gynecomastia surgery cost, and gynecomastia surgery side effects.
Gynecomastia is a condition that causes enlargement of male breast tissue. It is often a great source of shame and embarrassment for men. The numbers of men seeking out surgery for gynecomastia have continued to increase over the years. I continue to see more and more men wanting to surgically improve the look of their chests.
During puberty, hormonal surges can lead to the growth of male breast tissue. In some cases, this breast tissue shrinks after puberty, but in many cases, the breasts remain enlarged. The prevalence of asymptomatic gynecomastia is 60% to 90% in children, 50% to 60% in adolescents and up to 70% in men aged 50 to 69 years.
Common causes of gynecomastia include puberty, excess weight gain, use of anabolic steroids in bodybuilders and use of marijuana. A number of other medications also cause male breast enlargement.
How do I know if I have gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia usually occurs in both breasts, but patients may have with asymmetric or unilateral breasts. Breast self-exams usually demonstrate a palpable, tender, firm, mobile, disc-like mound of tissue that is not as hard as breast cancer and is located centrally under the nipple-areolar complex.
When palpable masses are unilateral, hard, fixed, peripheral to the nipple and associated with nipple discharge, skin changes or enlarged lymph nodes, breast cancer should be suspected and thorough evaluation is recommended, including the performance of mammograms and MRI.
Surgery to correct gynecomastia
When patients come in with a complaint of gynecomastia, they usually complain about lumps in their breasts with or without excess fat in the breasts. Surgery to remove the breast tissues usually involves liposuction of the excess fat, surgical removal of the excess glandular breast tissue through an incision in the margin of the nipple-areolar complex and/or skin excision (in very large male breasts). It is important that your surgeon perform a proper physical exam of your breasts to confirm gynecomastia and rule out the suspicion for male breast cancer.
Preparing for surgery involves making sure that you stop medications that increase the risk of bleeding, stopping smoking and increasing your nutrition to support your healing and recovery after surgery. Most surgeons perform the operation under general anesthesia, but it is a procedure that is also well-suited to being performed under oral sedation and local anesthesia. Many surgeons use drains after surgery to reduce the chance of fluid collections. The use of compression vests and icing is also common to help control pain, reduce swelling and control bruising.
Liposuction For Gynecomastia
Overdeveloped breast tissue (gynecomastia) is a fairly common condition that men often assume they have to learn to live with or lift their way out of by developing their chest muscles.
A healthy diet and exercise routine that includes strengthening your chest muscles may help if the enlargement is related to excess pounds and/or fatty deposits in your breasts, what’s known as pseudo or false gynecomastia. Unfortunately, these stubborn pockets of fat often persist beyond your best weight loss and exercise efforts.
True gynecomastia, however, is not related to your weight, and losing pounds or defining muscle won’t reduce the appearance of enlarged male breasts. Genetics, age, and hormonal shifts are responsible for this form of gynecomastia, which may cause enlargement of one or both breasts.
Dr. Davila is a highly skilled cosmetic surgeon who has extensive experience and expertise in treating gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia. Though neither condition is usually considered medically serious or life-threatening, he understands the negative impact either can have on your self-confidence and sense of well being.
He’s happy to use his medical knowledge and surgical skill to help you choose the best treatment option for your circumstance, which often depends on which type you have.
WHAT IS GYNECOMASTIA AND WHAT CAUSES IT?
Simply put, gynecomastia is the medical term for overdeveloped or enlarged breasts in men. It can occur at any age and is related to an imbalance in your testosterone versus estrogen levels.
Testosterone controls male traits, such as muscle mass and body hair while estrogen controls female traits, including breast growth. Though you may think of estrogen as a strictly feminine hormone, men normally produce small quantities as well. When there’s an overabundance of estrogen or too little testosterone present, men may develop an excess of breast tissue.
Several issues can cause the hormone imbalance leading to gynecomastia, including natural changes during puberty or with aging. Certain prescribed medications or excessive use of alcohol and other substances can also induce gynecomastia. And sometimes it’s due to an underlying medical condition such as an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).
Your primary care physician may suggest a series of diagnostic studies to confirm what’s causing your gynecomastia and provide treatment for the underlying issue. Even resolving the condition responsible, however, won’t always change the appearance of overdeveloped male breasts.
WHAT CAUSES FALSE GYNECOMASTIA?
False or pseudogynecomastia is due to fatty deposits in your chest area that mimic the appearances of female breasts. Like those stubborn love handles at your waist that seem to defy any amount of exercise, pockets of fat in the chest area are often immune to the strictest diet or most rigorous exercise routine.
Even men at their ideal weight can experience this condition. Sagging or stretched skin that’s occurred after significant weight loss or as a natural part of the aging process can also worsen the appearance of pseudo gynecomastia.
WHAT TREATMENT IS BEST FOR GYNECOMASTIA?
Gynecomastia often responds well to liposuction. This technique is especially well-suited for pseudogynecomastia. Using small incisions located at either side of your chest or within the armpit, Dr. Davila inserts a small, tube-shaped device that removes the excess fat and glandular tissue and sculpts a new contour that appears natural for your body’s overall shape.
Recovery after liposuction for gynecomastia is relatively quick. You may need to wear a compression garment for a few weeks to minimize swelling and support the treatment site. Vigorous exercise is typically out for about three weeks, but you can usually return to work and other activities after several days.
More severe cases of gynecomastia respond best to surgical excision of the glandular breast tissue. Dr. Davila also recommends surgery if you have stretched or sagging skin around the breasts, which he can tighten and reshape during the procedure. In some cases, he uses liposuction along with surgical excision for optimal results.
Dr. Davila chooses incision sites carefully to decrease visible scarring. He can also reshape or repositions the nipples as necessary to give your chest a natural appearance. You can expect to return to work within about a week of surgery unless you have a job that requires vigorous physical labor, which is restricted for several weeks.
gynecomastia liposuction vs excision
Excess breast tissue is associated with a feminine appearance and can cause discomfort in men experiencing the condition. Both gynecomastia surgery and liposuction are possible treatments for enlarged male breasts. Which is best for you depends on the underlying cause of the condition and the type of tissue to be removed.
What Causes Enlarged Male Breasts?
Enlarged male breasts may be the result of a medical condition called gynecomastia, or a related but different condition called pseudogynecomastia.
Gynecomastia is the excess development of breast tissue in men. The common condition is the result of hormonal imbalance. It most often occurs during puberty, or later in life as a side-effect of certain medications.
Pseudogynecomastia or ‘false’ gynecomastia may look just like gynecomastia, but involves excess fat, rather than glandular tissue. Stubborn pockets of fat in the breast area may not be responsive to diet and exercise alone. Stretched or sagging breast tissue due to weight loss or aging can also contribute to the appearance of enlarged breasts.
About Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is a medical condition which leads to the enlargement of one or both male breasts. This condition is typically not treatable with diet and exercise alone, since excess tissue is not fat, but glandular breast tissue.
Gynecomastia is first treated by addressing the underlying health issue, which may be related to genetics, age, excess alcohol consumption, hormonal imbalance or prescribed medications. Surgical excision of the excess tissue is currently the only way to reduce and resculpt the chest.
Gynecomastia Surgery (Male Breast Reduction Surgery)
Surgical correction of gynecomastia involves removing the excess fibrous tissue, something that cannot be done by liposuction alone. Instead, fibrous tissue is removed through a small incision made along the lower curve of the areola. Gynecomastia surgery is also recommended to correct loose or sagging skin in the breast area. Skin removal typically requires the placement of longer incisions.
While done under anesthesia, the surgery is considered an outpatient procedure. Patients are advised to wear compression garments for around four to six weeks during recovery. At around the 6-week mark most patients are considered fully recovered and cleared to resume strenuous exercise.
About Pseudogynecomastia
Pseudogynecomastia is a result of excess fatty tissue in the chest area. While diet and exercise are typically recommended to reduce body fat, even men who are not overweight may carry stubborn fat in the breast area.
Treatment Options For Pseudogynecomastia
Fatty tissue in the breasts may be removed through liposuction. Tiny incisions are hidden in the armpits or the sides of the chest. A small cannula is then inserted into these incisions to remove the fat cells via suction. Ultrasound or laser assistance are often used to enhance the effectiveness of the procedure.
Recovery typically involves wearing a compression garment to minimize swelling and accelerate contouring. Generally, patients can return to work and other daily activities after one week, and return to exercise after 4 weeks.
Which Treatment Do I Need?
Your surgeon will examine you and counsel you on your treatment options:
If fat deposits are minimal, a non-invasive form of fat reduction such as CoolSculpting or Kybella may be options for more subtle improvements.
A combination of gynecomastia surgery and liposuction is needed when both glandular and fatty tissue are present, or in cases where fatty tissue is the cause of enlargement but there’s also a need for skin removal.
A consultation with a qualified physician will help you identify which is best for you, gynecomastia surgery, liposuction, or both.
gynecomastia surgery cost
If you are struggling with the presence of fatty tissue in the chest, often referred to as “man boobs”, you might be considering gynecomastia surgery. After all, gynecomastia surgery offers permanent results that can eliminate gynecomastia symptoms when diet and exercise fail to produce the desired results. Yet, there’s always one thing between a patient and making their cosmetic goals a reality: the cost of treatment. While gynecomastia can range in price from around $5,975 to around $8,900, we’ll explain where you can expect your treatment to fall within this range, and how you can make it more affordable.
How Much Will My Gynecomastia Surgery Cost?
As mentioned above, you can expect your gynecomastia surgery to cost roughly between $5,975 and $8,900. However, you may be wondering what determines your exact treatment cost, and where you’ll fall within that range. The truth is, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cost of a gynecomastia surgery without discussing the procedure in-detail. This is because each patient’s gynecomastia experience will be highly unique, and as such, each treatment requires a uniquely personalized approach. Generally, the cost of treatment will correlate with the extent of surgery required to produce the desired results. Patients with minor gynecomastia symptoms can expect a treatment cost on the lower end of the range mentioned above, while patients with more significant symptoms might expect a cost on the higher end of that range.
How Can I Make Gynecomastia Surgery More Affordable?
Fortunately, there is an easy solution for making gynecomastia surgery more affordable. At the Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Center of Texas, we are proud to offer financing options to patients interested in gynecomastia surgery. With financing options, patients can access a more affordable treatment by dividing the cost of their treatment into monthly payments that better align with their budget. This can be particularly helpful for cosmetic procedures like gynecomastia, which are not typically covered by health insurance providers. Our practice allows patients to take advantage of a number of financing options, including CareCredit®, American Healthcare Lending and United Medical Credit. These options make paying for gynecomastia surgery as easy as using a credit card, and many offer low or no-interest payments to qualified individuals.
Determine the Exact Cost of Your Gynecomastia Surgery
If you’re considering gynecomastia surgery, contact us today to schedule your consultation at the Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Center of Texas. You can discuss your treatment goals with Dr. Morrissey or Dr. Wilcox to develop a personalized treatment plan. At this point, we can inform you of the exact cost of your gynecomastia treatment.
gynecomastia surgery side effects
Achieving great results from gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction) depends on many factors, including the skill and experience of your surgeon. Another element that is important to the surgical outcomes is your recovery period.
NYC plastic surgeon Joshua Greenwald will ensure you have truthful, accurate information about the healing process, and provide detailed instructions. With the right information, you can increase the likelihood of a speedy recovery and optimal surgical result.
How Long Does It Take to Recover?
In general, how quickly you heal from gynecomastia surgery is based on:
For a safe and speedy recovery, it is imperative that you follow all of Dr. Greenwald’s post-operative instructions. This information is intended to reduce the risk of complications and help your body heal optimally.
Common Side Effects
Swelling, bruising and soreness are common side effects after gynecomastia surgery. You may feel tight or sore in your chest area if you spend time working at a computer or lift your arms.
It is also common to have less energy than normal as your body recuperates from the operation. You should take it easy and rest as much as possible. If you experience any discomfort, you can take prescription painkillers provided by Dr. Greenwald or over-the-counter medication like Tylenol.
Compression Garments
After surgery, an elastic bandage or support garment will be placed around your chest to minimize swelling and prevent any type of fluid accumulation. The slight compression from the bandage or garment also supports the healing breast tissues. You should wear the bandage or compression garment for about three to four weeks, until Dr. Greenwald permits you to remove it.
Resuming Your Daily Routine
You can bathe as soon as the day after surgery as long as you avoid getting the incisions wet. You can resume work or school about a week after surgery if you feel ready. If you work a physically demanding job, you might want to take additional time off to recuperate.
You can resume light exercise, such as short walks or slow rides on a stationary bike, approximately a week after surgery. You should refrain from lifting weights or performing chest exercises for about three to four weeks after surgery. At that point, you can gradually increase the intensity of the workouts.