Rarely a severe medical problem, breast enlargement in men, or gynecomastia, can be embarrassing since it can strike at any age, including the impressionable adolescent years. In rare cases, it can also cause physical pain. Dr. Patrick Obasi of Noble Cosmetic Surgery in Plano and Desoto, Texas, can assess and diagnose your gynecomastia condition and recommend the best course of action for your case. Call the office or book an appointment online today.
Gynecomastia Q & A
Typically, male breasts feature underlying muscle tissue thicker than the outer fat layer. When the balance of natural levels of testosterone and estrogen changes in a male, that fat layer may thicken and create breasts with a feminine appearance. The condition may affect one or both breasts evenly or unevenly. Young men are usually more affected by gynecomastia. As testosterone production drops with age, about one-quarter of men between 50 and 69 will also develop the condition. Frequently, gynecomastia decreases as hormone balance returns to normal, but there is a chance it will persist or become symptomatic, which may require treatment. There are some cases where gynecomastia occurs as a side effect of medications, health conditions, or substance issues.
There are typically two general surgical approaches to gynecomastia. The first is liposuction of fat tissue in the breast itself. Liposuction targets the fatty tissue in the breast but usually doesn’t target glandular tissue, though there are exceptions, depending on individual cases. Tissue excision addresses more severe cases of the condition, mainly when more glandular tissue is the target and excess skin removal is required.
Surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure with tumescent liposuction under local or general anesthesia and takes about one to two hours. The persistent fibrous gland is removed through a small periareolar incision. Using small tubes, Dr. Obasi loosens and suctions away fat and glandular tissue. He also sculpts the area to provide the shape and contour of a natural, masculine-looking chest.
In the end, you’ll have a more masculine chest. Most patients can return to light activities a few days after surgery. You can resume exercises and rigorous activities in about five weeks and wear compression vests for two to three weeks. Swelling and bruising are common and resolve within a few weeks. You might experience a loss of sensation in some areas of your chest, but this is almost always temporary. It may take a few months after the procedure to see the full results after the swelling has resolved. Patients with good skin elasticity and realistic expectations see the best results. To maintain your results, avoid extreme weight gain or loss, and engage in a healthy lifestyle. To learn more about the gynecomastia procedure at Noble Cosmetic Surgery, call or book an appointment online today.
