Gynecomastia is the enlargement of gland tissue in male breast. It is different from pseudogynecomastia which refers to the fat deposits in chest of obese men. Gynecomastia actually results from abnormal growth of glandular or breast tissue which is not developed in men.
One of the known causes of Gynecomastia is hormonal imbalance. Estrogen and Androgen hormones control the body contour development and sexual characteristics. Both the hormones are present in all humans but estrogen is normally present in very small quantities in men as it only helps to control bone density and emotional mood in males. Excessive estrogen can stimulate male breast growth.
A mother’s estrogen transmitted in the womb can result in swollen breasts for more than half of male babies. The imbalance of hormones during puberty is also very common. Certain medications can also lead to Gynecomastia. Another reason for such condition may be related to tumors such as Bronchogenic Carcinoma.
The sign of Gynecomastia is the presence of breast tissue greater than 0.5 cm in diameter in a man. In most cases the condition can be diagnosed by a physical examination. However, a medical history may also be required to check if the problem was caused by any tumor, disease or medications taken.
Cosmetic Surgery can be permanent treatment for Gynecomastia. Men considering a surgery must stop taking blood thinning medicines such as Asprin to avoid excessive bleeding during the surgery. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. The doctor removes any tissue present in the breasts and then uses liposuction if excess fat needs to be removed from the tissues. To reduce bleeding during the surgery, the doctor uses an epinephrine as in most liposuction procedures. The average duration for a Gynecomastia surgery is between 1 to 2 hours.
The patient is normally released on the same day after about two hours when the effect of anesthesia reduces. Some patients tend to feel nauseated on regaining consciousness from anesthesia. This is completely normal and stops after some time. Pain killers can be taken to relieve the general discomfort after surgery. Patient can also use ace bandages to support the chest while the tissues get healed. Workouts and strenuous activities must be avoided for a few weeks after the surgery.
The results of the surgery become visible in a month. Healthy diet and regular exercise must be a part of general lifestyle to avoid any further problems.
Dr. George Pope is an experienced revisionist surgeon at Pope Plastic Surgery and has performed successful Gynecomastia surgeries, giving a better living experience to numerous patients. If you’re a guy and want to learn a little more about Gynecomastia, give us a call. Dr. Pope understands the concerns of male patients. He’s experienced, renowned in his field, and very personable. He’ll help you make the right decision. Call us today or leave us a comment below.
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