Different Types of Gynecomastia Treatments

Gynecomastia is a condition in which the chest tissue of males gets enlarged or swells up. This benign condition can affect males of every age group. It can affect either one or both chests. Gynecomastia is commonly caused by the hormonal imbalance between estrogen and testosterone in males. When the estrogen levels are too high or out of balance compared to testosterone levels, this results in causing gynecomastia. Many medications, diseases, smoking, alcohol consumptions, etc. can also trigger gynecomastia. While gynecomastia is not life-threatening, the condition can affect the mental health of an individual due to embarrassment and restricted social activity. The symptoms of gynecomastia are dimpling of the skin, nipple retraction, milky discharge, enlarged areola, and pain while touching.

Generally, gynecomastia is divided into two categories:

1. True Gynecomastia

2. Pseudo Gynecomastia

The male chests are constituted of glandular and fatty tissues. True gynecomastia arises due to the proliferation of both types of tissues, whereas pseudo gynecomastia occurs due to excess of fatty tissues. Therefore, different procedures are adopted to treat different types of gynecomastia.

Two of the common methods to treat gynecomastia are:

1. Mastectomy

It is a surgical procedure to remove the excess glandular chest tissues. The following steps are taken to perform the procedure:

• General anesthesia is administered.

• The surgeon makes an incision in the areola (inferior periareolar incision or periareolar circular incision).

• For massive enlargements, the surgeon might remove the skin and deeper excision.

• The surgeon removes the excess glandular chest tissue.

• The surgeon puts subcutaneous tissues back and closes the incision with sutures.

The results are visible right after the treatment, but the patients are advised to wear a compression garment for at least 4 to 5 weeks. The results will continue to improve the appearance of the male chest profile. One can go back to work after a couple of days but avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks. After the surgery, the patient can restore the normal size of their chest or chest and achieve a more masculine chest appearance.

2. Liposuction

It is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure to extract fat deposits from a body part. It is an ideal option for people who have less glandular tissue growth and more fatty tissue growth. The following steps are followed during the Liposuction procedure:

• Local or general anesthesia is administered.

• The incision is made along with a portion of an edge of the areola or within the armpit.

• With a cannula attached to the vacuum, the excess fat is removed.

• The sutures are made to close the incision.

The patient does not require a long recovery period but is advised to wear a compression garment for the first few weeks to minimize swelling and support the healing tissues. Strenuous activities must be avoided for at least 4 weeks.

NOTE: In some cases, both mastectomy and liposuction are combined to give enhanced results.

Post-op Care

One should follow a healthy diet, consume soft foods, and clear fluids after the surgery for a few weeks.

Alcohol, smoking must be strictly restricted for at least 4-5 weeks after surgery to ensure early healing.

During the entire recovery process, blood-thinning medications must be avoided as it can hinder the blood clotting system (both before and after surgery, as directed by the surgeon).

For gynecomastia surgery in Hyderabad, one can consult Dr. Dushyanth Kalva, an experienced plastic surgeon at Inform clinics. The treatments are provided with the latest technology that conforms to national and international standards.

For enquiries you can get in touch with us at info@drdushyanthkalva.com