Gynecomastia or man boobs is the enlargement of a man’s breasts. It may occur in boys or old men, one or both breasts. Once it occurs gynecomastia surgery should be conducted to treat the condition.
What causes gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is caused by a hormonal imbalance. When boys are at puberty, their body makes a hormone called testosterone.
This hormone is responsible for red blood cell production, fertility, muscle mass, and fat distribution. Men bodies also produce another hormone known as estrogen. However, oestrogen levels produced in females is more than that in a male.
In females, estrogen’s main function is to develop and regulate the female reproductive system. When estrogen levels in men become more than testosterone, it creates a hormonal imbalance leading to enlarged breast tissue or male breasts.
What is gynecomastia surgery?
According to research conducted by the US health authority (NIH), estimated that about 65% of males in the United States aged between 27 and 92 years are suffering from Gynecomastia.
If you have been diagnosed with this condition, your doctor may perform gynecomastia surgery to correct it. Gynecomastia surgery also known as gyno surgery is a surgery conducted to reduce enlarged male breasts.
Gynecomastia surgery has become very common in recent times. According to statistics released by the American society of plastic surgeryfor 2015, cases of gynecomastia were recorded to have increased.
Male breast reduction accounted for more than 40 Percent of Aesthetic Breast Reduction Surgeries.
What is the procedure followed for Gynecomastia surgery?
Gynecomastia surgery is not a painful procedure since it is administered under general anesthesia. The surgery takes 1 – 3 hours depending on the procedure used.
Gynecomastia removal can be done using this two techniques.
- Liposuction technique
- Excision technique
Alternatively, the two techniques can be combined in order to bring the best result.
Liposuction technique
Male chest liposuction otherwise known as male breast treatment without surgery is one of the common techniques used for man breast reduction.
During this procedure, your surgeon inserts a cannula a thin hollow tube, through several small incisions. With a fourth and back motion, your chest fat is loosened.
Your surgeon then uses vacuum suction to remove the fat. Gynecomastia liposuction is used where gynecomastia is the main cause of your excess glandular tissue.
To avoid complications, male chest reduction should be conducted by a gynecomastia doctor. Alternatively, you should choose board certified plastic surgeon with a lot of experience to conduct your surgery.
Learn More: Is liposuction safe? Here is what you need to know.
Excision technique
If your glandular breast tissue is the cause of your gynocomastia, Excision technique maybe used for your treatment.
During this procedure, your breast tissue or excess skin is removed. Your surgeon may perform an areola reduction or puffy nipples relocation to look natural.
If need arise, your surgeon may combine the two techniques to get a perfect outcome.
Male breast reduction cost
How much does gynecomastia surgery or male breast reduction surgery cost?
Gynocomastia surgery cost varies widely. Each male gynecomastia surgery procedure has different price. However, the average cost of male breast reduction surgery is $4,123.
Depending on the procedure used liposuction or Excision, gynecomastia treatment cost between $300- $4,800. There are a number of factors that can affect mens’ breast reduction cost. Some of them include:
- Complexity of the surgery
- Experience of the surgeon.
- Your geographical location.
- The volume of tissue to be removed
- Technique used
- Type of the glandular breast tissue to be removed
- Hospital and anesthesia fees.
Male breast surgery cost in some cities like Chicago is very expensive. Some surgeons offer financing options to help their patients have the treatment.
Gynecomastia surgery recovery
Male breast reduction(gynecomastia ) recovery time also varies greatly depending on how the surgery is done. Most patients have reported full recovery after six weeks.
After Undergoing gynecomastia treatment surgery, you will be taken to a resting room to recover from the effects caused by anesthesia.
You will be having bruising in your chest area. Your surgeon will dress your chest with bandages or garment to protect you from injuring yourself.
He will then give you pain medications to take during your recovery period and pre op instructions to help you recover quickly.
Most gynecomastia patients fail to ask questions about how they should conduct themselves during the recovery period.
Gynecomastia Surgery Recovery Tips
- Follow the instructions given by your surgeon after surgery.
- Avoid strenuous activities during your first week of surgery.
- Do not sleep on your abdomen Until your surgeon tells you to do so.
- Exercises should be avoided until week four.
