The breast is one of the main features of femininity. In fact, many women decide to undergo breast augmentation surgery to beautify their appearance.
For this reason, if the male breast grows excessively, it causes significant complexes because, in addition to causing an aesthetic concern, it is often associated with a lack of virility.
Gynecomastia: psychological impact and how it affects the patient’s daily life
This enlargement of the breasts in men can significantly affect their daily life, when playing sports, wearing lighter clothing in summer or having to take off their shirts at the beach, and even in their intimate relationships. As a result, affected men tend to avoid these situations, and different areas of their lives are affected.
In addition, breast enlargement usually appears in adolescence, causing a great psychological impact on these children who are already living in a complex stage, where they are defining their personality and character. To all this we must add that, in some cases it is, unfortunately, a reason for mockery or bullying by their peers. Gynecomastia, then, is a problem of emotional well-being in the affected man, influencing his self-esteem and quality of life.
Can gynecomastia be removed and which cases are candidates for surgery?
How to remove gynecomastia is a question that many men are concerned about. In fact, it is the most performed cosmetic surgery in male patients currently, according to data from the Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (SECPRE). In contrast, in 2013-2014 this intervention was in fourth position.
Many patients who come to the consultation of the specialist in Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery do so after trying to eliminate pectoral fat with exercise or diet, but without success. However, localized fat in gynecomastia does not usually disappear with good habits, since it is not only caused by an accumulation of fat in the breasts, but there may be an excess of glandular breast tissue, or a combination of both factors.
If this increase in breast size in men is not caused by a transitory effect due to hormonal causes, taking certain medications, drugs or alcohol, or specific diseases, a non-surgical treatment is not an option.
The gynecomastia operation is a very grateful intervention because it has a direct impact on the patient’s self-esteem and quality of life. It is also important that the patient’s partner and family members encourage the patient to learn about the options available to him/her, so that he/she can leave this complex behind.
Surgery for gynecomastia: what does it consist of and when to perform it?
If gynecomastia remains after adolescence, or cannot be reversed even if the cause of the problem has been identified and treated, cosmetic surgery is available to remove the excess glandular or fatty breast tissue.
When the problem lies in an overdeveloped mammary gland, the technique used will be a reduction mammoplasty. As its name indicates, it consists of reducing the size of the breast, flattening it and improving the contour of the thorax.
On the other hand, if there is excess fat in the breast (pseudogynecomastia), liposuction or, preferably, lipolaser (laser liposuction) will be used. The reason is that lipolaser for gynecomastia not only allows the removal of pectoral fat but also achieves a retraction of the skin.
The fact of whether it leaves a lot of scarring is one of the biggest concerns of patients. This will depend on the type of incision made which, in turn, is determined by the amount of tissue to be removed. In the vast majority of cases, however, there will be minimal scarring which, over time, will be unnoticeable.
Although it is a surgery that can be performed at any time of the year, it is advisable to do it in the winter months for various reasons:
- After surgery, a compression garment must be worn for a month, so the low temperatures will make the postoperative period more bearable. In addition, by wearing several layers, the change in the appearance of the breast will go unnoticed.
- There are a few months until spring and summer, which is when this complex occurs more, to wear less clothes and have to show the body to go to the pool or the beach.
- It should be remembered that recent scars should not be directly exposed to the sun, so it is best to have a reasonable time to do so without any risk.