Gynecomastia or gyno is the word used by doctors to describe man boobs. It happens when the breast tissue, which is found in all men, enlarges so that it can be seen and felt, causing breasts to form. As this is not usual in men, it has a medical term – gynecomastia.
All breast tissue responds to hormone levels. In most men most of the time, the level of the ‘male’ hormone testosterone is much higher than the level of the ‘female’ hormone estrogen. This balance means that breast tissue does not grow and most men are not even aware that it’s there. If anything changes the balance of these hormones (so either testosterone falls or estrogen rises) this can send a message to the breast tissue telling it to grow. As the breast tissue grows it becomes obvious and forms gynecomastia.
Mild gynecomastia is when the breast swelling is relatively small and found just behind the nipple. This is the usually the first stage that the man notices. For many men, their gynecomastia will stop here and never get any bigger. For some men, the breast tissue continues to enlarge and the condition progresses. Mild gynecomastia can be seen, as it makes the breast area jut out from the chest wall, and sometimes makes the nipple more prominent. The swelling can also often be felt as a firm or rubbery smooth disc.
Gynecomastia Surgery Cost
Causes of mild gynecomastia
The most common time for a man to experience gynecomastia is during puberty – when up to 70% of teenagers have some degree of breast enlargement. During puberty there is a huge surge in all types of hormones, meaning that the relative balance of estrogen and testosterone can change. Often, this is enough to cause a young man’s breasts to grow a little and cause gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is also common in male babies, who are exposed to high levels of their mother’s estrogen, and in older men who naturally experience a slight fall in testosterone levels.
Some other causes of gynecomastia are:
- Side-effects of prescribed medications such as stomach ulcer drugs or some anxiety medications
- Recreational drug use including marijuana and anabolic steroids
- Rarely from certain foods containing high levels of soy protein
- Due to disease of the liver or kidneys
- Rare genetic disorders
- Hormone-producing tumours
All types of gynecomastia are much more common in men who are overweight or obese. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, the breast swelling may in fact be fatty tissue rather than true enlargement of the breast. This is because fat can build up on the chest wall, just as it can anywhere else on the body. It’s often very difficult to tell the difference between fatty tissue and true gyno from the appearance alone. Secondly, fat in the body encourages more estrogen to be produced. If there is a lot of fat, the body makes more estrogen which can cause the breast tissue to get bigger.
Mild gynecomastia symptoms
- Itching of the nipple or underarm
- Prominence or jutting of the nipple
- Swelling behind the nipple – may be seen and felt
- Aching or tenderness of the breast
- Occasional fluid discharge from the nipple
Gynecomastia often has no symptoms – particularly when it is mild. Some men describe an itching of the nipple area, or occasionally under the arm, which may occur before any swelling is seen. The first thing that many men notice is that the nipple becomes more prominent or juts out from the chest wall. This is followed by increased swelling behind the nipple itself and the surrounding area called the areola. Pain is not usually reported with gynecomastia, although enlarging breast tissue can ache or be a little tender to the touch. The swelling is usually on both sides, or bilateral – although it can often start on one side first. Very occasionally in mild gynecomastia there can be some discharge from the nipple, but this is unusual.
Mild gynecomastia treatment
For most men, although gynecomastia can be both embarrassing and distressing, it is not medically worrying. Particularly when it is mild, gynecomastia will often go away on its own and does not need any specific treatment. During puberty, time and observation are all that is needed. If a man is overweight, diet and exercise are the best treatment, as following a diet will reduce fatty tissue and exercise will help build up muscles in the area and improve the chest’s appearance.
If there might be other reasons for developing gynecomastia or the man is concerned, it is always a good idea to go and talk to a doctor. The doctor will discuss the problem with the man and work out what the cause is. Even if the gynecomastia is mild, a doctor will be happy to talk through the options and see if any treatment is needed.
What are the steps of a gynecomastia procedure?
A gynecomastia procedure includes the following steps:
Anesthesia
Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedures. The options include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best option for you.
Liposuction technique
In cases where gynecomastia is primarily the result of excess fatty tissue, liposuction techniques alone may be used. This requires insertion of a cannula, a thin hollow tube, through several small incisions. The cannula is moved back and forth in a controlled motion to loosen the excess fat, which is then removed from the body by vacuum suction.
Excision technique
Excision techniques are recommended where glandular breast tissue or excess skin must be removed to correct gynecomastia. Excision also is necessary if the areola will be reduced or the nipple will be repositioned to a more natural male contour. Incision patterns vary depending on the specific conditions and surgical preference.
Combination of liposuction & excision techniques
Sometimes gynecomastia is treated with both liposuction and excision
What should you do after the surgery?
A few changes in the daily routine and adding a few tips after the surgery can help with the healing process. One of the important aspects of the recovery phase involves wearing the compression garment for a few weeks. Your surgeon will guide you how to use the compression garment based on the kind of surgery you have undergone.
A compression garment helps in reducing the swelling caused by the surgery. The longer it is worn, the more quickly you heal. Doctors recommend that it should not be removed until the second or third day after the surgery. Patients can feel free to remove the compression garment while showering only temporarily.
Here are a few pointers to help post surgery:
- After surgery, it is not advisable for the patient to operate a vehicle. They can either request a family member or a friend to drive them instead.
- Taking proper rest helps the healing process.
- Following a nutritious and balanced diet is very necessary, to ensure the body is being provided with sufficient nutrition to speed up the healing. Adding raw fruits and drinking a lot of fluids is good for the body.
- Limited activities which don’t strain the body can help regain movement, but it is better to not strain the body too much after the surgery.
- Pain medications are only to be taken, as suggested by the doctor.
- Consuming alcoholic beverages causes water retention, so it is best not to drink any alcohol till 3-4 weeks after the surgery.
- Smoking delays the healing process and causes more problems than it fixes. It is best to avoid smoking after surgery.
Activities
- Walking helps reduce the swelling and lowers the chance of any blood clots from forming.
- Driving isn’t advisable until you are no longer taking any pain medications.
- Driving is advised only if there is a full range of motion in the arms after the surgery.
- Lifting heavy weights for 4-6 weeks isn’t advisable at all.
- Only return to work when you feel well and comfortable or after consulting a doctor before returning to work is the best option.
- Also avoiding any job or sport, which risks a blow or can cause pain for at least four weeks.
- Avoid any private activity at least for 1-2 weeks and any activity, which may be strenuous for the body for 3-4 weeks.
- All social events can be resumed after two weeks.
What To Expect
- Minimal to moderate postoperative pain (depending on how extensive the procedure is).
- Many patients experience temporary swelling, soreness, burning sensation and bruising after the surgery.
- Swelling and bruising disappear in 3-6 months of time.
- Temporary sensation or numbness in the chest may last up to a year.
- All normal activities are resumed after 4-6 weeks post surgery.
Appearance
Final results after the surgery only start to appear after 3 or more months of time. The patient can see visible changes in the chest such as a flatter, firmer and more masculine chest contour as desired. Healing is a slow process and differs with every patient. A little patience can go a long way.
Follow-Up Care
- Drainage tubes are removed by the doctor when the fluid is less than 30 ml for 1-2 days (this will vary by the surgeon)
- External sutures are removed with the help of a doctor 1 or 2 weeks post surgery.
- Proper rest after surgery and avoiding any strenuous activity helps the healing process.
With the most efficient solution in addressing many men’s problems – Gynecomastia Surgery in Jalandhar has been quite successful in putting an end to this issue once and for all.