Are you considering gynecomastia surgery in San Antonio? Enlargement of male breast glands can occur in newborns, adolescents during the age of puberty, and adult males. Gynecomastia doesn’t mean that an individual has developed breasts or gained excess weight due to fat. The excessive growth of breast tissues is responsible for this condition. If you have gynecomastia, weight loss or exercising often won’t reduce your breast tissue significantly.
The glandular tissue makes the breast which is dense and firm, while fatty tissues are soft. The ratio of these tissues varies from individual to individual. A male with gynecomastia may have an excess of both types of tissues.
In serious gynecomastia cases, the male breasts may stretch and sag areola (the dark area surrounding the nipple) due to excessive breast tissue weight. In such instances, it is possible to improve the areola's position and size while reducing excess skin surgically.
Gynecomastia may harm self-confidence and creates emotional discomfort. Some males even avoid participating in physical and social activities and intimacy just because of this condition. The common characteristics of gynecomastia are:
· Excessive localized fats
· Sometimes excessive skin of breasts
· Excessive development of glandular breast tissue
· Presence in both breasts (bilateral) or single breast (unilateral)
Gynecomastia surgery is a male breast reduction surgery that corrects enlarged or overdeveloped male breasts. It flattens and enhances men's chest contours. It is also referred to as reduction mammaplasty.
In most cases, gynecomastia resolves over time without any treatment. However, if this condition is due to some other underlying medical conditions such as malnutrition, cirrhosis, or hypogonadism, it needs treatment.
Some men may betaking medicines that cause gynecomastia, so you may consult your doctor to either substitute them or stop use altogether. During adolescence, the hormonal changes may cause gynecomastia, and if there is no other apparent cause, the practitioner recommends periodic evaluations every 3 to 6 weeks. Usually, the condition settles within two years without any treatment.
You may need gynecomastia surgery if your condition doesn't improve on its own or it's causing tenderness, pain, or embarrassment.
This condition usually occurs in both male breasts; however, men may have unilateral or asymmetrical breasts in some cases. The self-examination of the breast generally demonstrates a tender, palpable, disc-like, and mobile tissue mound that's not hard like breast cancer. Plus, it is located just under the areola area in the center.
When you go for a consultation for gynecomastia surgery, your plastic surgeon will discuss symptoms, drug, medical, and family history. Your plastic surgeon will conduct a detailed physical examination of your breasts along with your abdomen and genitals. If the condition is due to hormonal imbalance, your plastic surgeon may have you correct this first to see if the issue is resolved.
If the breast mass is unilateral, fixed, and rigid with a peripheral position to the nipple, causing discharge and changes in skin or develop large lymph nodes, then it may be breast cancer. In such a case, you should immediately consult your primary care physician and undertake a thorough breast examination, including MRI and mammography.
The ideal candidates for gynecomastia surgery include the following:
· Individuals in good health without any life-threatening medical conditions or diseases that may impair the process of healing
· Physically healthy males with an average weight
· Non-smokers, non-alcoholics, and non-drug abusers
· Males whose condition does not improve despite medication use
· Individuals with realistic expectations from the treatment
· Males having stabilized breast development
· Males who feel concerned and embarrassed about their enlarged breasts
Gynecomastia surgery is your personal decision, and you have to discuss with your plastic surgeon if the benefits outweigh the risks and if the side effects are acceptable.
Before taking the surgery, you should have all the information about the procedure, risks, side effects, and results. The common potential risks of this surgical procedure may include the following:
· Bleeding (hematoma)
· Irregularities in breast shape and contours
· Asymmetrical breasts
· Blood clots
· Deep vein thrombosis
· Changes in the sensation of nipples or breast that can be permanent or temporary
· Infection
· Fat necrosis (death of fatty tissue)
· Damage to other structures like nerves, muscles, blood vessels, etc.
· Poor healing of a wound
· Continuous pain
· Seroma (accumulation of fluid)
· Revision surgery possibility
· Reaction to suture materials, injected agents, tape, glues, etc.
· Scarring
Your plastic surgeon must address all your concerns regarding surgery so that you can make an informed decision.
There are two options available for gynecomastia surgery which your plastic surgeon may recommend depending on your breast’s condition:
This type of gynecomastia surgery removes the fats in your breasts but does not correct the breast gland.
This surgery removes breast glandular tissue. A plastic surgeon performs it by making small incisions in your breast area, so it needs less time for recovery.
Following steps are involved in gynecomastia surgery:
· Anesthesia may include general or intravenous anesthetic. Your practitioner recommends the most suitable option according to your condition.
· Your surgeon may use liposuction to remove excess fatty tissues from your breast. In this procedure, your doctor inserts a cannula through few tiny incisions. Then, he moves the cannula in a back and forth motion in a controlled way that loosens excessive fat. Afterward, your plastic sugeon will remove that fat using the vacuum suction technique.
· When your glandular tissue or breast's excess skin needs removal, your doctor uses excision techniques. It is also essential for reducing areola or repositioning the nipple to achieve a more naturally contoured male breast.
· In some cases, both excision and liposuction are necessary to deal with gynecomastia.
You can immediately see the results of gynecomastia surgery. With time, as your post-surgical swelling settles and incisions fade, you'll be able to see the final results of your surgery. It may take 3 to 6 months to recover fully and achieve the appearance you're looking for. However, incision lines take time to fade. The scars of this surgery are permanent, although some conceal in the natural contours of your breasts. The improvement in your upper body boosts your self-confidence and improves your self-image.
Your doctor applies bandages or dressing over your incisions during the recovery period. You may also have to wear a support or compression garment to minimize swelling and support your breast contours during healing. Your plastic surgeon may also places a thin and small tube underneath your breast skin to drain excess blood or fluid that may gather temporarily.
Your plastic surgeon will provide post-surgical guidelines and instructions according to your specific condition.You also need to follow up with your plastic surgeon during the recovery. It's critical to closely follow your doctor's instructions and attend follow-up appointments as scheduled. In most cases, the final results of this surgical procedure are permanent.
While recovering at home, if you feel breath shortness, pain in the chest, or unusual heartbeat, you should immediately contact your surgeon and get medical assistance.
Interested in plastic surgery in San Antonio, give us a call or text us today to set up your consultation for gynecomastia surgery.
