Male Breast Reduction:
Male breast reduction or gynecomasty operation is one of the cosmetic surgery operations for men. How small breasts can lead to disappointment for women and girls, unusually big breasts can also cause loss of confidence and embarrassment in the opposite gender. The growth of breast tissue, named gynecomasty, is caused by various situations, including hormonal imbalance (low testosterone and high estrogen levels) or use of the medicines like spironolactone (Aldactone), calcium channel blockers (used in the treatment of high blood pressure), anti-androgens, anti-ulcer medicines as well as use of materials like alcohol, hashish, and heroin, amphetamines, methadone (this is why they must be avoided).
Which Men Are More Susceptible for Gynecomasty?
Gynecomasty is frequently seen in the elderly, male infants, and the adolescence period.
While gynecomasty is not a dangerous complication, some psychological problems about the look of the individual may be worrying. If you have one of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from gynecomasty.
- Swollen and sensitive breasts
- Serious pain in one or both of breasts
- If one of the breasts is larger than the other
- If there is a bloody discharge
Types of Gynecomasty
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, gynecomasty is classified in four grades (regarding the sizes of the breasts and the seriousness of the situation).
Level I: Growth of the breasts at a low level together with the growth of the local tissue around the areolas
Level II: Mediocre growth of the breasts that has insignificant edges but exceeds the borders of the areolas
Level III: Mediocre growth of the breasts that has significant edges and exceeds the borders of the areolas
Level III: Significant growth with skin excess that has similarities to female breast
How Is Gynecomasty Treated for Men?
In order to be sure that the growth of your breasts is not caused by a fatal disease such as breast cancer and is caused by gynecomasty only, we suggest seeing a specialist physician. For the diagnose of this, the physician may ask you to go for mammography.
Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Except for infants and adolescents for whom the situation disappears on its own, elder men need a medical treatment in a way that the physicians recommend. Although there are some drug treatments to change the hormonal levels, it is generally not recommended because their effect will not be 100% and they will have some undesired side-effects. Surgery continues to be the most effective way and the best option to get rid of the grown and sagged breasts.
Types of Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Two techniques are used depending on whether the growth of the breasts is related to the excessive fat accumulation (a.k.a. pseudogynecomasty, lipomasty or adipomasty) or to the excessive growth of the breast tissue (gynecomasty): Liposuction and mastectomy. In general, all of these operations are named to be Reduction Mamoplasty or Male Breast Reduction