Gynecomastia Correction: Looking Beyond Liposuction
Many men throughout many years have been affected by the condition doctors call gynecomastia. Men who consult with their doctor or the internet about what is more often called enlarged male breasts, or man boobs, are often surprised to know there is a medical term to describe what they are living with. They are even more surprised to learn that there are treatments that may help them return to their natural, masculine shape.
In recent years, the awareness of male breast enlargement as something more than obesity has increased. This has enabled men to at least begin to understand that they are not alone, nor are they without hope. However, with so much information circulated about gynecomastia, there is a chance that the right treatment may not be immediately identified. By the time a man sees a plastic surgeon for gynecomastia, there is a strong chance he has tried to correct his shape with diet and exercise. In many cases, patients tell us they have tried that and supplements or hormones because losing weight didn’t help. We know why, and it’s a big deal.
The Nature of Gynecomastia
There is a common misconception that breasts are made up only of fat. This is especially true for men. If there is any knowledge of breast tissue that is different than fatty tissue, it relates to women. It makes sense that women have more structural complexity in the breast area. They have milk ducts and breast glands that make their breasts grow in the first place. Rarely do we stop to realize that men also have glandular tissue in their breasts. Due to hormone differences, though, the average male breast gland is typically not stimulated to grow. Not typically. But when it is, we have to know how to address it.
Breast tissue is glandular. It is dense and heavy. On the contrary, fat tissue, which is part of the breasts, is soft and made of fat cells. Most cases of gynecomastia involve an excess of both types of tissue. And then there is the skin. In some cases, skin laxity exacerbates the appearance of female-like breasts. This is often seen in men who have lost a substantial amount of weight.
Depending on the tissue involvement, gynecomastia may look like:
- Puffy nipples. This is indicative of gynecomastia that involves swelling in the breast gland. Men who are slim and fit can still develop this symptom of gynecomastia. Furthermore, men who undergo liposuction alone may experience this sign of gynecomastia sometime after their procedure.
- Female-like breasts. This degree of gynecomastia is very common and involves an excess of breast and fatty tissue that extends beyond the nipple area.
- Sagging breasts. When men have lived with enlarged breasts for a long time or have lost a lot of weight, they may be left with enlarged, sagging breasts. This is because stretched skin has lost its ability to retract.
Gynecomastia surgery is not all about removing fat. For the best results, a plastic surgeon usually removes fat and breast tissue. In more severe cases, the skin is also pulled tighter and trimmed to restore the masculine curve to the chest.
Get the details you need about male breast reduction. Call our Denver office at 303.399.7662 to schedule your consultation.
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