Who Is a Good Candidate For Gynecomastia Surgery?
Who Is a Good Candidate For Gynecomastia Surgery?
True gynecomastia occurs when an imbalance of hormones results in the enlargement of breast tissue in the male chest. The hormonal imbalance may either occur naturally or be stimulated through the use of steroids such as those taken by bodybuilders. Weight gain can also affect the amount of fat cells that locate in the chest area, and in some cases, the enlarged chest may persist even after the weight is lost.
If the enlarged chest is caused by a buildup of glandular tissue, or a combination of glandular tissue and fat, gynecomastia surgery may be the best option for treatment.
In this article, Dr. Ali, Macomb County board certified plastic surgeon, discusses gynecomastia surgery, who is a good candidate for it, and alternatives to the surgery.
Gynecomastia Surgery for Overweight Patients
While gynecomastia is not a weight loss method, many patients undergoing gynecomastia surgery are overweight. Gynecomastia will typically remove several inches from the chest in addition to tightening and contouring it.
Some men elect to undergo gynecomastia surgery before losing weight because it gives them a good jump start to their weight loss efforts. While the surgery will address their feminine-looking breasts, care must be taken to make sure the chest remains in proportion to the abdomen. If the chest is made flatter but the abdomen still protrudes because of excess fat, the appearance overall will look unnatural and unbalanced.
Gynecomastia Surgery for Teenagers
Gynecomastia is actually quite common in adolescents, and generally subsides by the late teens. In most situations, doctors prefer to wait until after the age of 18, to see if it resolves naturally.
However, sometimes the enlarged chest is so pronounced that it requires medical intervention. Additionally, severe gynecomastia can be the source of profound embarrassment for a teenaged boy, and it may affect his social life and self-esteem. Simple, normal activities such as going to a pool party, playing sports or even changing in the locker room can cause undue amounts of anxiety for a teen suffering from gynecomastia.
Alternatives to Gynecomastia Surgery
If excess fat is the cause, gynecomastia can be treated effectively in many cases with liposuction. While liposuction doesn’t remove glandular tissue, it does effectively address excess fat. Plus, the recovery is quicker.
CoolSculpting is another option, and is available in our Macomb County medical spa. A special machine freezes the areas of the breast that contain excess fat, and over the next couple of months, the fat is eliminated naturally by the body. However, CoolSculpting does not work for true or hormonal gynecomastia.
Deciding to Get Gynecomastia Surgery
Only you can decide if your excess chest tissue or fat bothers you to the extent that you are willing to undergo a surgical procedure to get rid of it. If you are embarrassed to take your shirt off by the pool or at the beach, or if you are uncomfortable in tight-fitting or thin shirts because your chest appears to be more feminine than masculine, you may want to schedule a consultation to explore your options.
Gynecomastia Surgery – Macomb County
Dr. Ali offers gynecomastia surgery, as well as liposuction and CoolSculpting, and can help you decide which male breast reduction procedure is best for you. If you live in or around the Macomb County area, call Dr. Ali’s office to schedule your gynecomastia surgery consultation today.
