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My Gynecomastia Is Embarrassing: Can You Help?

October 6, 2022 L.A. Vinas
My Gynecomastia Is Embarrassing: Can You Help?

Flabby breast tissue. Sometimes no matter how hard you diet and exercise, enlarged breast tissue just won’t go away. Breast tissue in males can be embarrassing and seem noticeable no matter what shirt you wear.

Gynecomastia refers to the swelling of breast tissue in males — often caused by an imbalance in testosterone and/or estrogen levels. While gynecomastia usually isn’t hazardous to your health, many men wish to improve it for a sleeker physique.

L.A. Vinas Plastic Surgery provides liposuction and male breast reduction to patients in Florida who want to get a more masculine-looking chest.  Read on to learn more about what’s involved to better decide if it’s for you.

What is it like?

Gynecomastia is a common condition that affects more than 200,000 Americans every year. The condition appears in newborns, teenagers, and adults and may occur in one breast or both. While most men report no symptoms, others report signs like:

  • Breast pain
  • Swollen breast tissue
  • Breast tenderness
  • Nipple sensitivity

In most cases, gynecomastia happens when there’s a decrease in your testosterone compared to your estrogen. The condition can also be caused by:

  • Aging
  • Obesity
  • Alcohol or drug use
  • Chemotherapy
  • Cancer
  • Malnutrition
  • Thyroid problems
  • Medications

Gynecomastia can make you feel self-conscious about your body, which can affect your confidence in social and professional settings.

How we can help

As previously mentioned, most cases of gynecomastia aren’t a threat to your health. However, many men with gynecomastia come into our office with a concern about breast lumps. Scheduling a consultation with us allows us to do a physical exam and determine if the lumps are cancerous.

Treatment for gynecomastia includes liposuction, surgery, or a combination of both.

Liposuction

Liposuction is a good option for patients with mild to moderate gynecomastia. Luis A. Vinas administers local anesthesia to keep you comfortable from start to finish. By making a small incision on each side of your chest, Dr. Vinas uses a cannula to suction out excess fat and recontours your chest for a more desirable shape.

Recovery

Most patients find the recovery from liposuction very tolerable and only need about a week to get back to their everyday routine. After your procedure, you’re asked to wear a compression garment to help reduce swelling and give your chest tissue extra support. Vigorous exercise is prohibited for three weeks.

Breast reduction surgery with tissue excision

Breast reduction surgery with tissue excision may be needed for patients with moderate to severe gynecomastia. This is also a great method for patients experiencing stretched and sagging skin in their breasts. Tissue excision allows Dr. Vinas to remove a greater degree of glandular tissue and tissue that cannot be done with liposuction alone.

Surgery is done as an outpatient procedure and may take 2-3 hours. Dr. Vinas starts the procedure by administering local anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. Next, he makes an incision, usually around the areola or in the natural creases of your chest.

Dr. Vinas removes excess tissue and any lumps to be further analyzed. Liposuction can also be performed for more dramatic results. Dr. Vinas repositions your breast tissues for a more masculine shape and reshapes the nipples. Lastly, he closes up the incisions with sutures and applies a bandage for proper healing.

Recovery

Recovery from breast reduction surgery generally takes 10-14 days. Soreness and swelling are common after surgery and Dr. Vinas may prescribe medication to help alleviate symptoms. All in all, most patients tolerate recovery well and experience full results around 2-3 months after surgery.

Many patients who undergo liposuction or breast reduction surgery find it greatly enhances their self-esteem. Most even feel confident enough to go shirtless at the beach.

Are you unhappy with your body because of enlarged chest tissue? Contact us to do something about it today.

Call your dermatologist or contact us to request an appointment if you notice any of these signs.
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