In men, breast’s getting bigger than normal is called Gynecomastia. This word is a combination of feminine (gynec) and breast (mastos) in Greek. This condition, which occurs in more than 30% of men, is not directly harmful for health. However, the excessive deterioration of the overall appearance, especially when entering areas such as the pool and the beach makes people feel uncomfortable and embarrassed. Therefore, people want to get rid of this situation with Gynecomastia surgery.
Gynecomastia can be seen in almost every period from old age to infancy. Adolescence is the period when this problem is commonly seen. The most important reason for this is the change in hormone levels in the body during puberty. With puberty, estrogen and testosterone hormones are secreted more intensively. Estrogen provides physical changes and activation of feminine properties in women. This hormone is also secreted in men in a small amount. When the balance between testosterone and estrogen breaks down, one of the problems to be experienced is Gynecomastia. Other conditions that cause this discomfort are:
- Drug use
- Alcohol and drug use
- Some diseases
- Herbal products
Gynecomastia can resolve spontaneously after a short time. However, there is no possibility of regression of Gynecomastia that persists for a long time and therefore surgical intervention is necessary.
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Questions to Ask Before Deciding on Gynecomastia Surgery
Knowing the answers to a number of questions before undergoing Gynecomastia surgery means meeting expectations at a higher rate.
Are You Approved by the Plastic Surgery Board?
When you want to have gynecomastia surgery, you will see that there are different options. Among these options, it would be more appropriate to choose clinics and experts with an approved certificate. In order to obtain this certification, doctors must have at least 6-year surgical training and then successfully complete 3-year plastic surgery training. After this stage, periodic trainings continue and doctors must complete them successfully. Gynecomastia operations carried out by plastic surgeons having successfully completed all these trainings provide more successful results.
Have You Been Trained Especially in the Field of Plastic Surgery?
Gynecomastia operation is a procedure that plastic surgeons can do. Plastic surgery is a different area of expertise within the surgical department. Therefore, normal surgeons will not be able to achieve the desired success in this procedure. Therefore, the physician of choice should be a plastic surgeon.
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How Many Years of Plastic Surgery Training Have You Received?
The surgeon performing the Gynecomastia surgery should receive plastic surgery training after the surgery training. It is very important that this training is at least 3 years. In addition, the fact that the surgeon who will perform the operation has an academic career is another advantageous aspect.
Do You Have Hospital Privileges to Perform This Procedure? If so, Which Hospitals?
It is very important that the technical equipment of the hospital where Gynecomastia surgery will be performed is sufficient. The diagnosis of Gynecomastia is carried out by manual examination. However, the diagnosis must be confirmed using USG. This kind of diagnosis is essential for the success of the treatment. In addition, the hospital must have other requirements for surgery.
Is the Office-Based Surgical Facility Approved Nationally or By a Government-Recognized Accreditation Body, OR Is It Government-Licensed or Medicare-Approved?
The inspection of the hospital where the surgery will be carried out by the official institutions and the granting of work permit is decisive in terms of the reliability of the hospital in question.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
Gynecomastia surgery can be performed on all patients who are generally healthy. However, whether the patients with chronic health problems, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and similar problems are eligible for the operation is determined after the doctor’s examination.
What Is Expected from Me In Order to Get the Best Results?
The success of the surgery is directly related to the consultation. The things to be done at this stage are as follows:
- You must attend the consultations and check-ups regularly. You must give the correct answers to all questions asked by your doctor (smoking, alcohol and drug use, etc.).
- Stop using drugs that make blood clotting difficult some time before surgery.
- You must stop smoking and alcohol consumption.
Where and How Will You Carry Out My Procedure?
Gynecomastia surgery should be performed in a fully equipped hospital. This is a necessity for any complications that may occur during the operation. How to perform the operation will vary depending on the condition of the patients. While general anesthesia is used in some patients, local anesthesia can be preferred in others.
After anesthesia, an incision is made in the breast region and excessive breast tissue is surgically removed. In some cases, adipose tissue is also taken along with breast tissue. If the excess occurs only in adipose tissue, liposuction is the most appropriate method.
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Which Surgical Technique is Recommended for Me?
The treatment method to be used is determined according to the patient’s condition. Firstly, the patient’s hormone level is checked and whether there is an irregularity or not is determined. Then the diameter of the brown ring (aerola) at the head of the nipple is checked. If the diameter is less than 4 cm, the problem is expected to resolve itself. However, if the condition lasts for more than 4 years, the treatment process starts.
In cases where disc diameter is 4-6 cm, medical treatment is applied to patients; and if discs are larger than 6 cm, the patients are treated by surgical methods.
Only in the case of growth in breast size resulting from adipose tissue, liposuction is carried out. First of all, cannulas are placed in the breast region and they are moved back and forth to relax the fat tissue. Then the loosened adipose tissue is removed by vacuum.
Another method applied for Gynecomastia is excision technique. Extraction of glandular breast tissue or excess skin is performed by excision technique. This technique is known as a routine surgical procedure. In addition, in some cases it is carried out together with liposuction.
How Long Will the Recovery Period be and What Kind of Assistance Will I Need During My Recovery?
After the operation, dressing and bandage are applied to the area where the procedure is performed. It is also possible to wear specially developed cests to prevent swelling. In some cases, a thin tube may be placed under the skin to drain the collected blood and other body fluids out.
During this process, you will have to follow the instructions given by your doctor, have the dressings done on time, keep the operation area clean and take your medications on time. Paying attention to these issues will shorten your recovery time.
What Are the Risks and Complications of Gynecomastia Surgery?
Gynecomastia surgery is a surgical procedure and today all surgical procedures have certain risks. This also applies to Gynecomastia. The risks of this surgery can be listed as follows:
- Bleeding
- Blood clotting
- Deformities around the chest
- Persistent pain
- Scarring
- Failure of the operation and possibility of undergoing a new surgery
- Infections
- Dying of fat tissue in the breast
- Damage to muscles, lungs, nerves and muscles
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Irregularity in heartbeats
How are Complications Handled?
Most of the complications of Gynecomastia surgery can be solved with simple interventions in a short time. However, if you notice shortness of breath, persistent pain, chest pain and irregularities in your heartbeat, you should contact your doctor quickly.
What Are My Options If I am not Satisfied with the Outcome of My Surgery?
Although the success rate of Gynecomastia operation is high, in some cases the operation may not meet expectations. In such cases, additional surgery may be required. With these, repositioning and eliminating the complications are possible.
Are There Any Before and After Photos of This Procedure That I Can See?
By examining the photos of the previous operations carried out by your surgeon, you can understand how you will change.
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