Gynecomastia
Male chest Reduction (Commonly referred to as ‘Man Boobs’), Breast Reduction, or Gynaecomastia procedure is a Specialist Plastic surgery procedure to remove the abnormal fat and, or breast tissue, commonly called Moobs or ‘Man Boobs’., to achieve a more natural male appearance of the chest.
Gynaecomastia procedure is carried out to improve body shape and self-image enabling you to wear the clothes you want.
Male Breast development, Gynaecomastia either true breast tissue or fat deposition, is common during puberty. However, this physiological gynaecomastia usually resolves in the majority of young men. Approximately 10% of young men have persistence of the breast development, and this can cause significant psychological problems. Rarely, Male breast development, Gynaecomastia results from tumours of the breast or abnormal hormonal production from other tumours. These will need to be excluded prior to any treatment for gynaecomastia, blood tests and Ultrasound scans may be required.
Whether male or female, the breast is made from two components – glandular tissue and fatty tissue. The ratio of glandular to fatty tissue in any breast varies from individual to individual. The severity of the condition will vary for each individual, ranging from very mild symptoms to significant enlargement of the male breast, accompanied by sagging of the skin.
The condition can affect one or both breasts, sometimes unevenly. Diet and exercise alone cannot resolve the condition, as the breast glands and fat tissues must be surgically reduced.
What are the causes of Gynaecomastia?
Although there is no definitive cause of gynaecomastia, the condition is thought to be the result of hormones circulating in specific cells in the breast area. As such, symptoms of the condition are generally apparent after puberty, although the condition may be visible at birth.
An imbalance of the ratio of male and female hormones in the body is also thought to contribute to the development of the condition. While in the majority of cases the cause of gynaecomastia is developmental, in some instances the condition is linked to the use of substances such as anabolic steroids or marijuana.
Often, the condition may be genetic or hereditary, or as a result of organ disease.
What are the symptoms of Gynaecomastia?
The primary symptoms of gynaecomastia are:
- Swollen or prominent breast gland tissue
- Tenderness in the breast area
You may also experience symptoms including:
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Pain
- Nipple discharge in one or both breasts
What is the treatment of Gynaecomastia?
Gynaecomastia is treated with a specialist surgical procedure. Removing excess glandular and fatty tissue from the male breast results in a flatter, more masculine appearance to the chest area. A very small incision measuring 3-4 mm is made under each arm, into which a cannula is inserted to draw away any fatty deposits in the area. A smooth, thin layer of fat is left under the skin to ensure there is no rippling or irregularities in the area.
Next, a small, crescent-shaped incision is made at the base of the areola, through which any excess glandular tissue is removed. Both incisions are left open to drain and should heal within a few days after procedure.
What is the recovery time for male breast reduction or gynaecomastia procedure?
The recovery time after gynaecomastia varies with every patient and the type of activity you intend to resume. While the incisions made during procedure are very small, liposuction creates a large wound hidden under the skin.
Healing is a gradual process, so adequate rest in the days after procedure is essential. Sleeping with your upper body slightly elevated to help quicken any reduction in swelling and bruising.
Typically, you can expect to be back at work within 5-7 days after the procedure, resuming light exercise after 2 weeks. You should avoid any strenuous upper body exercise for at least 3 weeks after the procedure. It is very common to have some bruising, swelling and minor initial lumpiness to the area after procedure.
It is also fairly common to appear slightly uneven. This is often completely normal and will settle over the course of the coming weeks.
Contact us if you experience symptoms including:
- Heavy bleeding
- Pain
- Excessive swelling
- Pockets of fluid
- A persistent high temperature (above 37.5 degrees for 12 hours or more)
- You may feel numb or tingly in some areas due to some nerve irritation. This usually resolved within the first 6 months of procedure. Around 7 – 14 days after procedure you will need to return to the clinic to review your result and check you are healing well. You will usually see Mr Gupta around 6 weeks after procedure for a routine check-up.
You can expect to see the final result within 6 – 9 months after procedure. Once treated, gynaecomastia will not return, as the glands are removed.
What are the risks associated with male breast reduction procedure?
All cosmetic procedure carries some uncertainty and risk. When performed by a highly qualified and experienced plastic surgeon such as Mr Gupta, complications are infrequent and usually minor. Individuals do however vary greatly in their anatomy, their physical reactions, and their healing abilities, and the outcome is never completely predictable.
Complications are rare but can include:
- Scarring at the site of the surgical incisions
- Irregularities of contour or dimpling of the area treated
- Unevenness or asymmetry between sides
- Prolonged numbness and swelling
- Haematoma or seroma formation (a collection of blood or fluid under the skin)
- Infection
Potential risks and complications will be discussed in detail during your consultation with Dr Gupta. After pioneering his own successful treatment methods and trialling the latest surgical devices, Dr Gupta is one of the Delhi/NCR’s leading gynaecomastia surgeons and performs on average, 100+ successful procedures per year.
Gynecomastia – Frequently Asked Questions
Exercise can reduce excess stored fat on the chest; however, it has little or no effect on the dense glandular tissue caused by gynecomastia. It may so happen that no matter how hard you exercise, there is no improvement and the breasts do not get smaller.
Plastic & cosmetic surgeons make the incisions in the natural fold of the skins and as such the scars are barely noticeable.
Generally, one week is the recovery time for a patient to get back to work. However, the recovery may vary by patient and the kind of procedure. You can start light exercise after 14 days and moderate to heavy exercise four to six weeks after procedure.
The results of gynecomastia procedure are long-term. However, weight gain, steroid or drug use and hormone fluctuations may lead to a recurrence of gynecomastia. At Glamyo, our expert cosmetic surgeons will guide you on the lifestyle changes and diet modifications which may keep the desired results for long after the procedure.
A firm lycra support garment is fitted at the end of procedure to help control swelling and reduce movement post operatively. This should be worn day and night for the first 3 weeks and then during the day for up to 3 weeks.
Yes, Male Chest Reduction is commonly performed together with Liposuction for love handles or abdomen. Other procedures which are commonly combined with Male Chest Reduction, include, Rhinoplasty, Chin Augmentation and Eyelid Procedure. What is appropriate and safe for you to combine will depend on your Medical Health, your goals and the individual procedures.
If you would like to improve your chest to achieve a normal male chest appearance, then Gynaecomastia procedure is right for you. You should be carefully assessed at the time of your consultation to ensure that your Male Chest development is not as a result of any pathological condition / disease. Blood tests and Ultrasound scans may be required before procedure is planned. You should be close to your ideal body weight and not smoking before your procedure.
The results of Gynaecomastia procedure are permanent. However, some re-growth of breast tissue may occur in the future if new medication is started or with reduced testosterone levels with aging.
At this time Non-Surgical alternatives to procedure for Male Chest Development are limited. An ultrasound scan of the chest will aid the decision on this option.