The term gynecomastia is the medical term for an enlargement of the male breast. Many men are affected as young children and during puberty. In most cases, however, the phenomenon disappears on its own. Gynecomastia surgery can be used to reduce the breasts to the desired size.
You can find further information and selected gynecomastia doctors here.
Gynecomastia is the medical term for enlarged breasts in men. The word is derived from the Greek and means "women's breasts".
Around 65% of all men are affected by gynecomastia in the course of their lives. It is very common as an infant and usually disappears during the first year of life. Around half of boys also suffer from enlarged breasts during puberty. Here too, they disappear within two years in 90% of cases.
After that, it is mainly men who are affected in their later years.
Men who suffer from gynecomastia
Affected men tend to wear loose-fitting shirts rather than tight ones out of shame. Many also avoid sports and activities with a naked upper body. Young men in particular suffer greatly from their "feminine" appearance.
Many young men suffer when their breasts are larger than they would like © saran | AdobeStock
Gynecomastia is apparently mainly genetic. However, various substances can also trigger the condition, including
There are also some medical causes, such as cancer or impaired liver function. However, the majority of gynecomastia patients are thought to have unknown causes.
The "female" breast contour is caused by excess fatty or glandular tissue. It mainly accumulates along the lower breast.
A healthy diet and exercise can help to reduce excess fat. However, there is no way to specifically reduce breast fat.
Nor is there a diet or special exercises that help to reduce excess glandular tissue. On the contrary, increased training of the chest muscles pushes the overlying fat and glandular tissue further forward. As a result, gynecomastia is visually enhanced.
Gynecomastia surgery is considered a male breast reduction. The procedure is suitable for healthy men of all ages.
Teenagers should not undergo surgery until they are 17. This allows the body and also the psyche to mature and the gynecomastia often disappears on its own.
However, if the gynecomastia has not disappeared by then, surgery is advisable. Waiting longer than the age of 18 or 19 often causes great emotional problems for young people.
A free consultation with a plastic and aesthetic surgeon can provide both the patient and their parents with the help they need to make the right decision.
Gynecomastia surgery shows the best results in men with firm contours and elastic skin.
Depending on the type and extent of gynecomastia, liposuction may be sufficient for breast reduction. This is the case if the excess fatty tissue has not stretched the skin excessively.
In some cases, it is also necessary to excise excess glandular tissue with or without skin.
The procedure takes an average of two hours. It is usually performed on an outpatient basis with general anesthesia or under local anesthesia.
In the case of liposuction alone, the surgeon makes very small incisions near the nipple. The fat is sucked out through these incisions using very narrow cannulas. In such cases, the scars are very small and barely visible. The results are permanent.
If excess glandular tissue also needs to be removed, an incision is made along the areola (areola). The excess glandular tissue can then be removed through this incision.
In very pronounced cases, excess skin can also be removed through this incision. This results in a breast lift at the same time.
Some patients may experience temporary numbness in the breast area . This discomfort can last for up to a year.
Rare complications associated with this procedure, as with many surgical procedures, include
In rare cases, a second operation may be necessary to create a better tightening of the tissue.
The downtime after this procedure is very short. Patients can usually return to work after a week, unless the work is very strenuous.
There may be some temporary bruising and swelling. To support the healing process, the patient is given an elastic corset for 3 to 6 weeks. If possible, lymphatic drainage is also very useful.
The scars should not be exposed to sunlight or UV light for at least 6 months. Of course, every patient can improve the "male profile" by training the chest muscles.
The scars around the nipple will only fade after some time.
The Leading Medicine Guide's quality assurance is ensured by the following acceptance prerequisites.
