A little known problem despite its increasing presence. It is estimated that about 40-60% of men suffer from gynecomastia, an imbalance between estrogens and androgens that can affect one or both breasts.
In most cases the causes of its appearance are unknown, but gynecomastia surgery can be used. The procedure removes fat and glandular tissue from the breasts and, in extreme cases, excess skin is also removed, leaving a flat, firm and well-contoured chest.
Breast correction can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia and sedation and the procedure can be alone or with liposuction.
In the most severe cases, the removal of excess tissue involves larger incisions and scars, whereas in normal treatment the incision is made in an inconspicuous area, usually at the ridge of the areola.
After surgery, the skin must be readjusted to the new breast body contour.
When liposuction is used, a cannula is inserted through the incisions to remove excess fatty tissue. It is not a painful procedure, but the patient may experience vibration or fractionation during the procedure.
Occasionally, it may happen that the skin does not adjust well to the new body contour and the excess skin is removed to allow the rest to readjust correctly to the new contour. The best result is obtained when the skin is elastic and firm, being able to adapt to the new contour.
For that reason, obese or overweight people are advised, in the first place, to lose weight before undergoing surgery. Surgery is also discouraged for those individuals who consume excessive alcohol and smoke hashish derivatives. These substances along with anabolic steroids can cause gynecomastia.
Therefore, patients should change their habits beforehand to assess their breast size decreases before considering surgery.
Avoid exposing scars to the sun for at least six months.
There are few risks derived from an intervention of these characteristics. However, there are. Infections, skin lesions, excessive bleeding and seromas may appear. As for the temporary side effects, it is worth mentioning the decrease in breast sensitivity, which may take up to a year to recover.
To avoid extreme side effects, smokers are advised to stop smoking for at least one or two weeks prior to surgery and during the recovery process, since smoking decreases circulation and hinders healing. After surgery it is also common for the patient to experience swelling, although it will disappear after a few weeks.
For this reason, physical activity will be limited, avoiding heavy exercise during the first month after surgery. However, it is important to return to the routine and recover the usual activity of our day-to-day life.