If gynecomastia makes you feel self-conscious or embarrassed, you’re not alone. Many men with gynecomastia decide to seek treatment because of the psychological impact of the condition. If gynecomastia is affecting your self-image, you’re probably anxious to find out how it can be treated.
How Can I Treat Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia can be addressed with male breast reduction also known as gynecomastia surgery. Gynecomastia or enlarged male breasts occurs due to the overgrowth of breast tissue. Male breast reduction involves the removal of excess glandular tissue, which results in a firmer, flatter chest.
What’s Involved In Gynecomastia Surgery?
The specific technique used to perform gynecomastia surgery will depend on the amount of excess tissue and fat that needs to be removed. In cases where there is also a lot of fatty tissue present, the excision of glandular tissue is combined with liposuction to achieve the best results.
Male breast reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure that is performed under general anesthesia.
Recovery After Gynecomastia Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery patients can generally resume normal activities about one week after surgery, but full recovery can take up to 4 weeks. However, patients with jobs that require heavy lifting may need more time off work.
A compression garment is worn for several days after surgery, to help minimize swelling and support the new chest contours.
Patients will notice some improvement in the appearance of their chest immediately after gynecomastia surgery. However, there is typically some swelling and bruising that takes several weeks to resolve, so final results can take 3-6 months to show.
If you don’t like having gynecomastia and you’re ready to do something about it, gynecomastia surgery may be the right option for you. It’s best to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to find out if you would be a good candidate for the procedure.