Gynecomastia is the term for enlarged male breasts. It’s caused when the estrogen levels in a man are out of balance with testosterone levels. Estrogen is considered a female hormone, and testosterone is considered a male hormone. Both sexes have both hormones, but females have considerably more estrogen than testosterone, and the opposite is true in males.
Gynecomastia is actually normal during some stages of a man’s life. It is seen when he’s just born because of exposure to his mother’s estrogen. This type of gynecomastia goes away after about two weeks. It may also appear during puberty and resolves after some months or a few years. Gynecomastia may also return in middle age. This is often the time when men who feel uncomfortable about their enlarged breasts seek gynecomastia surgery.
The Consultation
As with every type of elective surgery, the patient first has a consultation with the surgeon to make sure they’re a good candidate. In some cases, gynecomastia is the result of a medical condition, the medication that the man is taking, or the fact that he’s gained a lot of weight.
The best candidates for the surgery are mentally and physically healthy, are of normal weight and have realistic exceptions. The skin around the surgical areas should be supple enough to adapt to the new contours of the patient’s body.
The surgeon will also examine and measure the breasts to determine whether they’re mostly fat or whether they are mostly glandular. If they are mostly fat, the fat can be removed through liposuction. Glandular tissue needs to be removed surgically.
The Surgery
The patient can have general anesthesia, which puts them to sleep, or local anesthesia combined with a sedative. Gynecomastia surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure in the comfort of our offices, but it is important to allow yourself time to heal.
Learn More About Gynecomastia Surgery
If you have enlarged male breasts that are making you self-conscious and limiting your daily life, give us a call. Contact us today at Colen MD Plastic Surgery to learn more about gynecomastia! We can set up a consultation between you and our plastic surgeon. We proudly serve you from Manhattan, NY and Hackensack, NJ.
