‘Gynaecomastia’ is the name given to abnormal, but benign growth of breast tissue in men. Gynaecomastia can sometimes affect one or both breasts. Sometimes the breasts may be affected irregularly and an asymmetrical appearance may occur.
Physiological gynaecomastia is seen in 3 periods during male life:
- Newborn period
- Adolescence
- Advanced age period
This abnormal growth of breast tissue and increased amount of fat in the breast seen in men can develop mostly due to hormonal causes, very rarely due to tumours and the effect of some drugs. Sometimes a structural growth can be observed in the male breast without a specific cause. Gynaecomastia has become a very common condition, especially in young people, due to hormonal additives in the foods and environmental factors. It occurs most frequently during adolescence.
Contrary to popular belief, gynaecomastia is not due to reasons such as being overweight, bad eating habits or not doing sports. It has become an topic of interest especially as young men start to pay much more attention their physical appearance and to their self-care. The fact that the growth in the breast tissue is evident from the clothes and attracts attention in social circumstances such as the beach and gym negatively affects the psychology and self-confidence of the person and prevents socialisation.
There is no drug treatment for breast tissue enlargement in men. The solution for gynaecomastia is breast reduction surgery. If the cause of breast enlargement is due to increased amount of fat tissue in the breast, liposuction is applied. However, if the problem is due to excess mammary gland tissue, the excess breast tissue is surgically removed.
What is gynaecomastia surgery?
Interventions for the treatment of abnormal but benign growth of breast tissue and fat accumulation in the breast seen in men are called ‘gynaecomastia surgery’, also known as male breast reduction.
Why is gynaecomastia surgery performed?
Gynaecomastia surgery is applied for the men who have overdeveloped or enlarged breasts to regain their former masculine appearances, and therefore their self-esteem.
Am I a good candidate for gynaecomastia surgery?
If gynaecomastia severely restricts your choice of clothes, daily and sports activities; negatively affects your psychology and self-confidence or prevents you from socialising, then you are a candidate for gynaecomastia surgery.
For gynaecomastia surgery, it is recommended to wait until the age of 18. Sometimes, breast tissue which overdevelops due to hormonal fluctuations of puberty may regress spontaneously within a few years.
What should I do before the gynecomastia operation?
As with all surgeries in general, you should avoid blood thinners, reduce alcohol and cigarette use as much as possible. Ideally, do not use them at all in the last 2 weeks.
Step by step operation process:
Anaesthesia: Sedation or general anaesthesia.
Surgical Procedure: Liposuction / Excision / Combination of liposuction and excision techniques.
What should I expect after gynaecomastia surgery?
The early period of gynaecomastia surgery is usually comfortable. There may be pain, mild swelling and bruising for the first one or two days, as if you have done a heavy sport. Bruising and swelling disappear spontaneously within a few weeks.
What should I pay attention to after the operation?
If surgical excision is performed, bandaging may be required for a few days after the operation. If liposuction method is applied, it is necessary to use a corset that covers the chest area for 3 weeks.
How much rest is required after gynaecomastia surgery?
One day of home rest is sufficient.
When can I return to work after gynaecomastia surgery?
You can return to work after 4 days.
When can I start sports after gynaecomastia surgery?
Sports such as brisk walking can be started from the 10th day. You can start physical exercise gradually after the first month.
What results should I expect after gynaecomastia surgery?
The new breast shape appears in about 3 weeks. The final results will appear between 3 to 6 months.
You will easily get rid of this condition that makes you very uncomfortable. After a very short time, you can return to your social life with increased self-confidence.
What is the advantage of gynaecomastia surgery?
The most important advantage of gynaecomastia surgery is that it is a simple surgery that can be performed in a very short time.
Are the results of gynaecomastia surgery permanent?
If you do not gain weight after the surgery, no breast growth is seen again because the excess fat tissues in the breast are completely drained. So, the result is permanent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Obese people may have large-looking breasts due to increased fat tissue in the breast. However, this appearance disappears when weight is lost. However, since gynaecomastia also involves growth in the gland tissue, losing weight does not make a significant difference in appearance.
Men also have milk glands in the breast. However, these glands in men are underdeveloped and dysfunctional.
This overgrowth and increased fat accumulation in the breast tissue seen in men can develop mostly due to hormonal causes, very rarely due to tumours and the effect of some drugs. Sometimes a structural growth can be observed in the male breast without a specific cause.
When gynaecomastia is due to hormonal causes, fluctuations in serum testosterone levels and the effect of various drugs that decrease serum testosterone levels are most commonly involved.
One of the hormonal causes of gynaecomastia is an excess of oestrogen in men.
Generally, your physician’s examination and your history are sufficient for diagnosis. If necessary, examinations such as breast ultrasound and hormone levels can be performed.
If your physician deems necessary, blood hormone tests and breast ultrasound can be performed.
Gynaecomastia during puberty occurs as a result of temporary enlargement of the gland structure in the breast without a hormonal disorder in men. 90% of them recover spontaneously within 3 years.
Sometimes the breast tissue that grows due to hormonal fluctuations during puberty may regress spontaneously within a few years.
If the appearance of your breast severely restricts your choice of clothes, daily and sports activities; negatively affects your psychology and self-confidence; if it prevents you from socialising, you will know that you are a candidate for gynaecomastia surgery.
No, you cannot. Exercise only reduces the fat tissue in the breast. However, breast gland tissue is increased in gynaecomastia. This tissue does not disappear with weakening.
The solution for gynaecomastia is breast reduction surgery. If the cause of the growth in the breast is due to the fat accumulation in this area, liposuction is applied. However, if the problem is due to excess mammary gland tissue, the excess breast tissue is surgically removed.
It is recommended to wait until the age of 18 for gynaecomastia surgery. Sometimes the breast tissue that grows due to hormonal fluctuations during puberty may regress spontaneously within a few years. Thus, there is no need for surgery.
It is recommended to wait until the age of 18 for gynaecomastia surgery. Otherwise, there is no upper age limit.
Fat from male breasts is removed by liposuction with the help of thin cannulas.
Yes, gynaecomastia surgery is extremely safe. Both liposuction and removal of excess mammary gland tissue are extremely successful.
Risks that may occur after every surgical intervention are also valid for gynaecomastia operation. These are bleeding, oedema, infection, and anaesthesia-related risks.
As with all surgeries in general, blood thinners should be avoided. Alcohol and smoking should be reduced as much as possible. Ideally, do not use them at all in the last 2 weeks.
It is useful to get rid of your excess weight. Thus, your need for liposuction in gynaecomastia surgery will decrease.
For the first one or two days, there may be pain as if you have done a heavy sport.
There may be mild swelling and bruising for the first day or two. Bruising and swelling disappear spontaneously within a few weeks.
If surgical excision is done, bandaging may be required a few days after the operation. If liposuction method is performed, it is necessary to use a corset that covers the chest area for 3 weeks.
You can take a shower 2 days after gynaecomastia surgery.
If the liposuction method has been applied, it is necessary to use a corset that covers the chest area for 3 weeks.
Since alcohol delays wound healing, you should not consume alcohol for one month after surgery.
Yes, you can walk after anaesthesia wears off. Walking will help you recover early after surgery.
Sports such as brisk walking can be started from the 10th day. You can start physical exercise gradually after the first month.
You can start heavy exercises 6 weeks after gynaecomastia surgery.
You can drive 3 days after gynaecomastia surgery.
You can return to work 4 days after gynaecomastia surgery.
If only liposuction is performed, you will not have any scars. However, since excision will be performed in cases where the mammary glands need to be removed, an insignificant scar may remain from a small incision made in the nipple.
Gynaecomastia may recur if only liposuction is performed and the enlarged breast tissue is not removed. However, if the mammary gland tissue is reduced sufficiently, there is no recurrence.
Leave a Reply