Gynaecomastia
Enlarged breasts in men are called Gynaecomastia. With gynecomastia, tissue within the breast glands grows. This causes female-appearing breasts. Gynaecomastia is an increase in the amount of breast gland tissue in boys and men. It is typically caused due to an imbalance of hormones, estrogen, and testosterone.
Gynaecomastia is of three different grades. Grade I is a small enlargement of the breasts without an excess of skin. Grade II is moderate enlargement without an excess of skin and Grade III is marked enlargement with excess skin, mimicking female breasts.
The principal cause of gynecomastia includes reduced male hormones (testosterone) and increased female hormones (estrogen). This can occur due to aging, puberty, medication, and health conditions that affect the hormones. Symptoms of gynecomastia are breast tissue swelling and tenderness. Treatment could be treating the underlying condition, or then, surgery.
Some of the medical conditions resulting in gynecomastia include hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and obesity.
Gynaecomastia may be physiological which regresses spontaneously, but in few people, it persists and may benefit from surgery. Gynecomastia usually occurs in both breasts but can occur unilaterally as well. A breast self-exam will reveal a palpable, tender, mobile, firm, disc-like tissue that is not as hard as breast cancer and is located centrally under the nipple and areola.
Dr. S. Suma is extremely adept at the surgery for gynecomastia. She will work with you with sensitivity and empathy to reduce gynecomastia surgically. She also understands that gynecomastia may result in a somewhat altered self-image and will work with you to address that as well.
Before your Gynaecomastia Surgery
Gynaecomastia surgery reduces breast size in men flattening and enhancing the breast contours. Plastic surgery to correct gynaecomastia is called Reduction Mammaplasty. Before your gynaecomastia surgery, you should have a detailed consultation with your surgeon.
She will take your detailed medical history, looking for underlying medical conditions that could have caused your gynaecomastia. She will also conduct a detailed physical exam and will examine your breasts to determine the extent of the gynaecomastia. Your surgeon may also ask you to take certain lab tests. She will also encourage you to ask her all your questions and will help clear all your doubts.
She will also recommend that you stop taking certain medications, such as aspirin-based medications, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and blood-thinners, as these can cause increased bleeding and slow healing. She will also ask you to stop smoking and to stop ingesting alcohol, as these also retard healing.
She will also ask you to take good care of your nutrition to help you recover fully from surgery. A detailed consult prior to your surgery is vital and will build trust between you and your surgeon.
During your Gynaecomastia Surgery
Your gynecomastia surgery can be performed either under general anesthesia or under local anesthesia with sedation. Your surgeon will recommend the option that is right for you. If your gynecomastia is the result only of excess fatty tissue, liposuction can be carried out. However, if it is due to an excess of glandular breast tissue and excess skin, the excision technique is used.
During liposuction, your surgeon will insert a cannula (a thin, hollow tube) into your breast, using several small incisions. The cannula is then moved back and forth in a controlled motion to loosen the excess fat, which is then removed from the body by vacuum suction. There are several liposuction techniques that can be used and your surgeon will choose the right one for you.
In the excision technique, a large excision is made across the breast and excess breast tissue and skin is removed. The location and length of the excisions depend on the extent of surgery needed but are typically located around the edge of the areola (periareolar) or within the natural creases of the chest. Excision is also necessary if the areola is to be reduced in size, or if the nipple is to be repositioned to a more natural male contour. Sometimes your surgeon will treat gynecomastia with both excision and liposuction.
Precautions and Procedures before and after your Gynaecomastia surgery
Your surgeon will advise you as to what precautions and procedures you should follow prior to surgery. Post-surgery, your surgeon may prescribe pain medication to help reduce that pain and soreness that may result. She will also possibly recommend that you wear a compression garment.
Also, dressings and bandages will be applied to the surgery site. A small, thin tube may also be inserted into your chest to drain the excess blood or fluid that may collect.
If you are on any prescription medications, please do consult with your surgeon as to how and when to take them post-surgery. If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or an unusual heartbeat, consult your doctor immediately.
It is also important that your surgical incisions not be subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion, or motion during the time that you are healing from surgery. Your doctor will give you specific instructions as to how to take care of yourself, both before and after the surgery.
Gynaecomastia Surgery Result
The results of gynecomastia surgery are visible immediately. Over time, your post-surgical swelling will reduce and your scars will fade. Satisfaction with your new image will continue to grow as you recover from your surgery. However, the final results from your gynecomastia surgery will only be visible after 3 to 6 months. While incision lines are permanent, they will fade over time.
Your surgeon may recommend additional surgery to perform additional tightening or repositioning of the breasts. For those who have undergone liposuction, you will typically be able to resume your routine activities within a week.
For those who have undergone an excision procedure, you will be able to return to your routine within 2 to 4 weeks. You will also be able to go back to work after a few days. You will also be able to resume cardio exercises in the gym after 3weeks and lift weights after about 6.
It is important that you choose a surgeon for your gynecomastia surgery who is skilled and meticulous, in order to avoid complications post-surgery. Dr. S. Suma is one such surgeon. She treats all her patients in a holistic manner and will work with you to recommend and perform the gynaecomastia procedure that is best for you. So, if you are looking for a surgeon to perform your gynaecomastia surgery, look no further than Dr. S. Suma.
To know more about Gynaecomastia surgery, as well as the other cosmetic and reconstructive surgery procedures that Dr. S. Suma performs, you can get in touch with her at +91 86 86 042 042 or email her at info@prettyu.com.