The breast enlargement occurred in men is called gynecomastia. It is seen in most of the population. Although it usually occurs due to unknown reasons, it can also be seen after the use of some drugs and hormonal disorders. Since it gives the body a feminine appearance, it causes psychological problems.
Why does gynecomastia occur?
The gynecomastia shows up in the situations where the estrogen hormone is high and testosterone is low. This condition is physiological in infancy, adolescence and old age and is observed more frequently. In babies, when the effect of the hormone passed from the mother is removed, the problem is resolved. In the adolescence, the spontaneous recovery is observed in most cases at the end of adolescence or within a few years.
Various hormonal disorders, some types of cancer and some drugs cause gynecomastia. In obese people, the gynecomastia can develop due to the lipoidosis without enlargement of the mammary gland.
The gynecomastia is mostly caused structurally for the unknown reasons.
Is surgical intervention always necessary in the gynecomastia?
If the gynecomastia is thought to be caused by the hormonal reasons as a result of the history and examination, the patient should be referred to an Endocrinology specialist. The correction of the underlying cause should be expected. In the cases that occur as a result of the drugs, the drugs should be evaluated by the relevant specialties and discontinued if possible. The spontaneous recovery should be expected for a few years in gynecomastia due to puberty.
What are the surgical methods in the gynecomastia?
In most cases of the gynecomastia, the liposuction technique alone is sufficient. In the cases with excessive growth in the mammary gland tissue, the liposuction alone is not sufficient, and the enlarged gland tissue is removed with a short incision made from the lower part of the nipple. It is possible to perform the surgery in one hole in the liposuction. In extremely large and excess skin cases, it is rarely necessary to remove the skin. It is absolutely necessary to do this around the nipple as much as possible in order to ensure less scarring.
What should and should not be done before surgery?
Aspirin and blood thinners should be stopped at least 1 week before. As it is in all surgeries, the smoking should be stopped 3 weeks in advance. The smoking is one of the most important factors that increase the wound healing problems. Those being inconvenient to use before surgery:
-The multivitamin pills containing substances such as ginseng, gingko biloba, co-enzyme Q,
-The painkillers such as Apranax, Voltaren, Vermidon (Minoset, Parol or Novalgin can be used when pain relief is required),
-All slimming products
-Green tea, flaxseed, cherry stalk, tomato seed herbal products
Is anesthesia required in the gynecomastia surgery and how long does the surgery take?
The gynecomastia surgery is performed under the general anesthesia and the procedure takes about 1 hour.
Is the gynecomastia surgery painful?
Since intense local anesthetic is given to the breast tissues during the gynecomastia surgery, the pain does not occur after the surgery. There will be blunt pain lasting for a few days. There can be bruising and yellowing in the areas where the liposuction cannulas are treated, lasting about 10 days.
What happens after the gynecomastia surgery?
The patient can eat and stand up in the 3rd hour after the surgery. If the patient feels well, she can be discharged on the same day. A special corset is attached to the patient immediately after the surgery and is asked to use this corset for 2 weeks. The corset can only be removed during the dressings and bathing. There will be bruising and yellowing around the breast for the first 7-10 days. Up to the 3rd week, the hardness can be felt in and around the nipple. The permanent results occur at the end of 6 weeks after the edema subsides. The patient can drive from the 3rd day. The heavy exercises that work the arm and chest muscles can start from the 6th week. Apart from this, every activity is free from the 3rd day.
What kind of problems can occur after the gynecomastia surgery?
Extremely good results are obtained with this surgery, except for the prolonged edema and stiffness. The fluctuations and depressions after the liposuction can be prevented with a good surgical procedure.