Breast Tissue Reduction for Men
It may surprise you to know that men have breast tissue at all. Men are also susceptible to issues that come from having breast tissue, including tissue growth leading to gynecomastia. Though the name sounds ominous, gynecomastia is a condition that men get from having enlarged breast tissue. The condition can present itself on a male at any time, whether they are young children or fully grown adults. Having overly large breast tissue can have severely negative impacts on a male’s self-esteem, self-confidence, and even their health. Plastic surgery can help these patients by reducing and removing the excess tissue.
What Causes Gynecomastia?
It isn’t always clear what the official cause is, but there are a few contributing factors. Poor diet and exercise can lead to a buildup of extra fatty deposits in the chest, causing the breast tissue to grow. Even if the patient loses the weight later on, the deposits may not necessarily go away.
Hormone imbalances between a man’s natural testosterone and estrogen levels may cause an increase in the amount of glandular tissue inside the chest. On male patients who are not overweight, this is usually thought to be the cause. There are several conditions and diseases that affect organs involved in the endocrine system that may cause this imbalance, including testicular cancer, hyperthyroidism, kidney failure, and cirrhosis. Infection, trauma, and a decreased blood flow can also affect the way that hormones move throughout the body. There are also several medications that can alter a person’s hormone levels and contribute to gynecomastia, including ACE inhibitors, diazepam, and steroids.
There may not be one clear-cut cause of gynecomastia in a patient; sometimes it is a combination of issues that build up over a lifetime. Whatever the cause is, the condition can be difficult to live with physically and emotionally.
Tissue Reduction Surgery
The procedure is similar to a breast reduction in female patients; it involves removing the excess fat with liposuction and then trimming away any excess soft tissue. Once that step is complete, the doctor will tighten and smooth out any remaining soft tissue. For patients with severe gynecomastia, it may also be necessary to lift and reposition the nipple so it sits higher on the chest. Your doctor will decide the appropriate approach to the procedure during your patient consultation.
The procedure is done with general anesthesia over the course of two to three hours. Once you come out of surgery, your chest will likely feel sore and a little swollen. Your doctor will give you a prescription to manage the pain and you can treat the swelling by keeping your upper body elevated and using cold compresses. You may also be required to wear a compression garment to contain the swelling and protect your body while it heals. After about two weeks, you’ll be able to resume normal activities.
If you are a man who suffers from the physical and emotional toll of having overly large breast tissue, you don’t have to continue dealing with it. Contact Dr. Daniel Shapiro to schedule a gynecomastia consultation. You can reach his office by calling (480) 451-1700 today.
