|
Gynecomastia is a medical
term that comes from the Greek words for "women-like
breasts." Though this oddly named condition is rarely talked
about, it's actually quite common. It is commonly seen at plastic surgicentre in Doha, Qatar. Gynecomastia
affects an estimated 40 to 60 percent of men. It may affect only one
breast or both. Though certain drugs and medical problems have been
linked with male breast overdevelopment, there is no known cause in the
vast majority of cases.
For men who feel self-conscious about their appearance,
breast-reduction surgery can help. The procedure removes fat and or
glandular tissue from the breasts, and in
extreme cases removes excess skin, resulting in a chest that is
flatter, firmer, and better contoured.
If you're considering surgery to correct gynecomastia,
this information will give you a basic understanding of the
procedure--when it can help, how it's performed, and what results you
can expect. It can't answer all of your questions, since a lot depends
on your individual circumstances. Please be sure to ask your doctor if
there is anything about the procedure you don't understand
|
Many men have gynecomastia -- enlarged,
female-like breasts--causes by excess glandular tissue or fat (or
both).
|
THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR GYNECOMASTIA CORRECTION
Surgery to correct gynecomastia can be
performed on healthy, emotionally stable men of any age. The best
candidates for surgery have firm, elastic skin that will reshape to the
body's new contours.
Surgery may be discouraged for obese men, or for overweight men who
have not first attempted to correct the problem with exercise or weight
loss. Also, individuals who drink alcohol beverages in excess or smoke
marijuana are usually not considered good candidates for surgery. These
drugs, along with anabolic steroids, may cause gynecomastia.
Therefore, patients are first directed to stop the use of these drugs
to see if the breast fullness will diminish before surgery is
considered an option.
ALL SURGERY CARRIES SOME UNCERTAINTY AND RISK
When male breast-reduction surgery is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are infrequent and usually
minor. Nevertheless, as with any surgery, there are risks. These
include infection, skin injury, excessive bleeding, adverse reaction to
anesthesia, and excessive fluid loss or accumulation. The procedure may
also result in noticeable scars, permanent pigment changes in the
breast area, or slightly mismatched breasts or nipples. If asymmetry is
significant, a second procedure may be performed to remove additional
tissue.
The temporary effects of breast reduction include loss of breast
sensation or numbness, which may last up to a year.
PLANNING YOUR SURGERY
The initial consultation with your surgeon is very important. Your
surgeon will need a complete medical history, so check your own records
ahead of time and be ready to provide this information. First, your
surgeon will examine your breasts and check for causes of the gynecomastia, such as impaired liver function, use
of estrogen-containing medications, or anabolic steroids. If a medical
problem is the suspected cause, you'll be referred to an appropriate
specialist.
Your plastic surgeon may, in extreme cases, also recommend a mammogram,
or breast x-ray. This will not only rule out the very small possibility
of breast cancer, but will reveal the breast's composition. Once your
surgeon knows how much fat and glandular tissue is contained within the
breasts, he or she can choose a surgical approach to best suit your
needs.
Don't hesitate to ask your surgeon any questions you may have during
the initial consultation- including your concerns about the recommended
treatment or the costs involved. Treatment of gynecomastia
may be covered by medical insurance--but policies vary greatly. Check
your policy or call your carrier to be sure. If you are covered, make
certain you get written pre-authorization for the treatment recommended
by your surgeon.
PREPARING FOR YOUR SURGERY
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for
surgery, including guidelines on eating, drinking, and taking certain
vitamins and medications.
Smokers should plan to stop smoking for a minimum of one or two weeks
before surgery and during recovery. Smoking decreases circulation and
interferes with proper healing. Therefore, it is essential to follow
all your surgeon's instructions.
WHERE YOUR SURGERY WILL BE PERFORMED
Surgery for gynecomastia is most often
performed as an outpatient procedure, but in extreme cases, or those
where other medical conditions present cause for concern, an overnight
hospital stay may be recommended. The surgery itself usually takes
about an hour and a half to complete. However, more extensive
procedures may take longer.
TYPE OF ANESTHESIA
Correction of enlarged male breasts may be performed under general, or
in some cases, under local anesthesia plus sedation. You'll be awake,
but very relaxed and insensitive to pain. More extensive correction may
be performed under general anesthesia, which allows the patient to
sleep through the entire operation. Your surgeon will discuss which
option is recommended for you, and why this is the option of choice.
THE SURGERY
If excess glandular tissue is the primary cause of the
breast enlargement, it will be excised, or cut out, with a scalpel. The
excision may be performed alone or in conjunction with liposuction. In
a typical procedure, an incision is made in an inconspicuous
location--either on the edge of the areola or in the under arm area.
Working through the incision, the surgeon cuts away the excess
glandular tissue, fat and skin from around the areola and from the
sides and bottom of the breast. Major reductions that involve the
removal of a significant amount of tissue and skin may require larger
incisions that result in more conspicuous scars. If liposuction is used
to remove excess fat, the cannula is usually inserted through the
existing incisions.
If your gynecomastia consists
primarily of excessive fatty tissue, your surgeon will likely use
liposuction to remove the excess fat. A small incision, less than a
half-inch in length, is made around the edge of the areola--the dark
skin that surrounds the nipple. Or, the incision may be placed in the
underarm area. A slim hollow tube called a cannula which is attached to
a vacuum pump, is then inserted into the
incision. Using strong, deliberate strokes, the surgeon moves the
cannula through the layers beneath the skin, breaking up the fat and
suctioning it out. Patients may feel a vibration or some friction
during the procedure, but generally no pain.
In extreme cases where large amounts of fat or glandular tissue have
been removed, skin may not adjust well to the new smaller breast
contour. In these cases, excess skin may have to be removed to allow
the removing skin to firmly re-adjust to the new breast contour.
Sometimes, a small drain is inserted through a separate incision to
draw off excess fluids. Once closed, the incisions are usually covered
with a dressing. The chest may be wrapped to keep the skin firmly in
place.
AFTER YOUR SURGERY
Whether you've had excision with a scalpel or liposuction, you will
feel some discomfort for a few days after surgery. However, discomfort
can be controlled with medications prescribed by your surgeon. In any
case, you should arrange to have someone drive you home after surgery
and to help you out for a day or two if needed.
You'll be swollen and bruised for awhile--in
fact, you may wonder if there's been any improvement at all. To help
reduce swelling, you'll probably be instructed to wear an elastic
pressure garment continuously for a week or two, and for a few weeks
longer at night. Although the worst of your swelling will dissipate in
the first few weeks, it may be three months or more before the final
results of your surgery are apparent.
In the meantime, it is important to begin getting back to normal.
You'll be encouraged to begin walking around on the day of surgery, and
can return to work when you feel well enough--which could be as early
as a day or two after surgery. Any stitches will generally be removed
about 1 to 2 weeks following the procedure.
Your surgeon may advise you to avoid sexual activity for a week or two,
and heavy exercise for about three weeks. You'll be told to stay away
from any sport or job that risks a blow to the chest area for at least
four weeks. In general, it will take about a month before you're back
to all of your normal activities.
You should also avoid exposing the resulting scars to the sun for at
least six months. Sunlight can permanently affect the skin's
pigmentation, causing the scar to turn dark. If sun exposure is
unavoidable, use a strong sunblock.
YOUR NEW LOOK
Gynecomastia surgery can
enhance your appearance and self-confidence, but it won't necessarily
change your looks to match your ideal. Before you decide to have
surgery, think carefully about your expectations and discuss them
frankly with your plastic surgeon.
The results of the procedure are significant and permanent. If your
expectations are realistic, chances are good that you'll be very
satisfied with your new look.
The information on this web site is only intended as an
introduction to this procedure and should not be used to determine
whether you will have the procedure performed nor as a guarantee of the
result.
The best method of determining your personal options is to schedule a
personal consultation with Dr. Makki. He will be able to answer
specific questions related to your situation.
Please don't hesitate to call for any questions that you might have
|
