For men suffering from gynecomastia, the condition can be quite challenging. Gynecomastia is not physically harmful, but the emotional toll it can take on a man’s life is devastating. A lot of men who have gynecomastia experience anxiety, depression, and embarrassment about their enlarged breasts. Usually, a vast majority of patients with gynecomastia have bilaterally enlarged male breasts but a small percentage of men develop unilateral gynecomastia. The prevalence of asymmetry can often be more difficult to cope with instead of having gynecomastia on either of the sides. To treat gynecomastia in the single breast in men, a medical procedure of Gynecomastia surgery is performed.
What causes gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia disorder can be caused by various factors. It is associated with a hormonal imbalance or fluctuation. For this reason, it is often seen as a temporary condition in infants who still might have some of the mother’s hormones remaining in their system and adolescents going through puberty. Men can develop enlarged male breasts due to various factors. Some of the most common causes of gynecomastia include hormone changes, steroids, and genetics. Also, medical conditions and weight gain (fatty gynecomastia).
Can you develop gynecomastia in one male breast?
Although it is less common, gynecomastia can certainly be present on just one side. Most people do not have perfectly symmetric or even breasts. Unilateral gynecomastia can lead to a significant level of irregularity in breast. Hence, it can be embarrassing and at the same time difficult to conceal with clothing. Gynecomastia operation can be an excellent solution for correcting the medical condition of gynecomastia.
Can gynecomastia be treated without surgery?
A crucial step in gynecomastia treatment is to decide the exact cause of your medical condition. In case of some patients, a change in their medications may be sufficient to rectify the breast enlargement. In other cases such as fatty gynecomastia weight loss may be an effective solution.
However, cosmetic surgery is often needed to correct glandular gynecomastia. And, ultimately, achieve the masculine look patient’s desire. As per the doctors, whether a patient has gynecomastia in one male breast or on both sides, bilateral treatment is the best method for achieving the possible symmetry. The technique used for the surgery will depend on the patient’s body type, for example, how much excess tissue is present, and other factors.
Typically, gynecomastia surgery is performed under general anesthesia. It involves an incision near the nipple and there is use of liposuction to remove fat from the chest. In severe cases of gynecomastia, the medical professional may also need to remove tissue surgically and tighten the skin. The doctor will also reposition the nipple for a better masculine appearing chest.
Recovery after Gynecomastia Surgery
The patients who only undergo liposuction to correct their enlarged male breasts can return to usual exercise regime and perform daily tasks in typically less than one week. But, if there is a surgical removal of the excess breast tissue, it can take anywhere between two to four weeks to heal enough to tolerate routine activities.
The recovery procedure following liposuction is quite tolerable. Patients who undergo Gynecomastia treatment are provided with a special compression garment. This needs to be worn for the first few weeks after surgery. This type of garment is useful to minimize swelling. Also, it offers support to the healing tissues.
Risk involved with gynecomastia surgery
Although the surgical procedure for gynecomastia treatment is safe and the recovery process is smooth, there is a possibility of complications. Some of the commonly noticed complications include bruising, bleeding, fluid collections and contour irregularities. Apart from these, there may be loss of nipple skin, visible scarring, numbness of the nipples, loose breast skin, etc.
What do gynecomastia scars look like?
The appearance of the scars after gynecomastia surgery recovery will depend on the surgical approach and other treatments that may be performed simultaneously. According to a lot of patients, the improvement in their physique is well worth slight scar.
There are often questions like is gynecomastia surgery safe? The answer is that yes it is quite safe as reported as of now. Before undergoing gynecomastia surgery, you must enquire about the gynecomastia surgery cost of the cosmetic surgery clinic near you.
If you are suffering from gynecomastia and wish to go for the suitable treatment options, you must reach out to a plastic surgeon that is known for the best gynecomastia surgery in Hyderabad. He/She will help you understand if going for the surgical treatment would be appropriate or not, according to the extremity of your medical condition.