What Is Gynecomastia And How Is It Treated?

Gynecomastia is a abnormal enlargement of the glands within the mammary of males, with secretions of milk occurring at times. The elderly to the adolescent can be affected by this condition. At times, boys of an adolescent age can become extremely distressed because of Gynecomastia. Obesity is not the majority cause of this condition as some people think. The true actual cause is still unknown. Responsiveness of the tissue and the male’s sex hormonal imbalance has been associated with it but not a determining factor as a cause of this condition.

A close examination by a doctor is needed for a diagnosis of this condition. Ultrasounds, mammograms and X-rays are usually done to help confirm the diagnosis as well. Test of the blood may also be added to rule out any other underlying illnesses or causes for the Gynecomastia.

Treatment can be done by having a male breast reduction procedure done by a cosmetic surgeon who specializes in cases of Gynecomastia in men.

The doctor will schedule a complete physical and medical work up prior to the surgery, which will include more blood testing, chest x-rays and possibly another mammogram.

Ask the doctor any questions which may be important to you, the more you know and understand regarding the surgery the easier and better your road to healing and recovery will be.

Follow all of the instructions given to you for all pre-operative guidelines in preparation for your surgery.

Gynecomastia surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis where you will be under the general anesthesia. This procedure normally takes 1 ? hours to be completed but may be longer if it becomes more detailed or complicated.

During surgery excess tissue of the mammary glands will be taken out and removed with a surgical scalpel. This may be used with the addition of a liposuction procedure too, if this is this case, then the liposuction tube will go underneath the skin and suck the fatty deposits out at this time also. An incision is usually placed in a location that will not be too noticeable, at the areolas edge or under the arm area. The excess tissue is cut away and removed through these incision areas, along with excess skin and fat around the breast bottom, sides and areola.

You may have a drain which will not be very large inserted in by another tiny incision, this helps to drain away excess fluids within the surgical area. Incisions will be covered by a dressing and your chest area could be wrapped tightly with bandages to keep holding your skin in place firmly.

Discomfort will be noticeable, especially during the first few days, but your doctor will prescribe medications to help alleviate the pain afterwards. Bruising and swelling of the surgical area and around is normal after surgery.

You will have to wear a garment for pressure made out of elastic material for two weeks continuously and after the two weeks you will have to wear it only at night for a few more weeks to sleep in. This will help in your recovery process. Your sutures will be removed in 14 days post surgery.

Risks that are involved with this procedure include bleeding excessively, scarring, healing poorly, nerve, skin or muscle damage, sensations of skin changes and the sensation of the nipple loss.