Gynecomastia is a condition where men have more breast tissue than usual, which causes them to have bigger breasts. Moreover, this condition can occur in one or both breasts and even make the breasts look uneven. A change in the hormonal levels can cause both men and boys to develop this condition. Boys or men who have gynecomastia may feel pain in their breasts and also feel embarrassed about their physical appearance. Puberty-related gynecomastia often resolves on its own, but if this condition persists, it can become a cause for depression for men and negatively affect their lives. Keep reading to know about how an increase in fatty breast tissue or gynecomastia can be treated by gynecomastia surgery and how one can recover from this surgery.
🔪 What Happens During Gynecomastia Surgery?
A decrease in testosterone levels compared to estrogen levels can cause gynecomastia. And since estrogen controls the female characteristics, such as breast growth, its increase can lead to more fatty breast tissue. Whether it be alcohol consumption, other drugs, or the use of certain medications, they all can trigger a hormonal imbalance in a male’s body, which can cause gynecomastia.
Gynecomastia caused by a hormonal imbalance is typically treated by a doctor via medication to balance the hormones. However, if the gynecomastia is advanced, only surgery can treat it.
Surgical Techniques Used
📌 No matter what surgical technique is used, the surgeon uses anesthesia to sedate the patient before the surgery.
Liposuction
If the gynecomastia, or the enlarged breasts, are caused by excess fat, then the surgeon opts for liposuction. Small incisions are made, and later, a cannula is inserted for liposuction. The surgeon moves this cannula back and forth to loosen the fat, which is then sucked out by a vacuum.
Excision
This technique is ideal for removing excess granular tissue or skin. The surgeon makes incisions to carry out this procedure, and the patterns for incision will depend on the procedure. Excision can be used to make the areola smaller or to reposition it for a better look.
Combination approach
Depending on the needs of the patient, the surgeon may use a combination approach involving both liposuction and excision techniques for enhanced contouring.
🚹 Gynecomastia Procedure Steps
Gynecomastia, or male breast reduction surgery, involves a consultation with the cosmetic surgeon. In this consultation, the surgeon reviews the patient’s medical history and discusses the expectations the patient has for this surgery.
⭐️ During surgery, the surgeon uses anesthesia for sedation and makes the incisions in the underarm or nipple area. The next step involves removing excess fat or granular tissue. Finally, the incision is closed with sutures.
🏥 Gynecomastia Surgery Recovery Timeline
Here is an extensive timeline of the gynecomastia surgery recovery process:
First 48 Hours
Some pain and discomfort are expected right after the surgery. In addition, there will be some tenderness in the chest. The doctor will prescribe medication to alleviate some of the discomfort. The patient’s chest will have some swelling for 2-3 days after this male breast reduction surgery. The patient will have to wear a compression garment to help with this swelling. The doctor will recommend that the patient start walking a short while after the surgery to enhance the blood circulation in the body.
Week 1-2
During weeks 1 and 2 of healing from the male breast reduction surgery, patients can feel a significant reduction in swelling and discomfort. Some gentle physical activity is allowed during this time. Any activities that are too strenuous or require the patient to bend should be strictly avoided.
After the first week, the patient will be required to attend their follow-up appointment for their doctor to remove their stitches and examine their incision.
By week 2, patients can go back to their routine. However, they should still avoid doing any activity that will use the pectoral muscles to make sure the recovery is on the right track.
Week 3-4
By this point, the compression garments are usually not needed as the swelling has gradually decreased significantly.
Week 6
6 weeks after the gynecomastia surgery in Turkey, the patient will have recovered completely. They can go back to their routine and even do proper exercises. There might be a small amount of swelling, but this will also likely disappear in the coming weeks. The final results of the surgery also become more evident, with the patient’s chest looking much flatter and more masculine than before.
6 Months – 1 Year
The final results become clear about 6 months to a year after the surgery. This is because by this point, the scars have faded significantly.
💊 Essential Post-Op Care Tips
- Wearing a compression garment after surgery is essential for a few weeks as it reduces the chest’s swelling and also offers it the needed support to heal better.
- Your doctor will prescribe painkillers and antibiotics for smoother healing.
- Surgery can take a toll on one’s body, so ample rest is essential to give your body time to restore itself.
- Avoid any heavy lifting and limit yourself to gentle activity, such as light walks, for a few weeks post-surgery, to not put any stress on your incision.
- Your doctor will guide you on how to keep your incision clean after surgery. Keeping your incision clean and dry can make the healing easier.
- You should quit smoking as well as alcohol before and after your surgery so your recovery journey goes smoothly.
- Another tip for post-op care for gynecomastia is to always stay hydrated and eat a healthy diet loaded with nutrients for faster healing. Avoid any junk food, especially oily and salty foods.
- Your doctor will also guide you on how to perform a tissue massage on your chest 3 weeks after your surgery to get the best results.
📌 If you see any signs of infection, consult your doctor immediately.
Following the post-op instructions given by your doctor can guarantee successful results after your gynecomastia surgery. If you want the expert surgeons at the Estherian Clinic to guide you more about this surgery, book your consultation with them by filling out our contact form.
