Gynecomastia is the condition where a unilateral or bilateral benign growth of the mammary gland develops in a man, with or without a simultaneous growth of fat, or fat growth in the area, with or without a relevant growth of the mammary gland, showing, as a result, a breast that looks life feminine.
This phenomenon can cause concern to a man in terms of his appearance and psychology, to such an extent, that it makes him seek to find solution.
Although at first it was considered as a rare event, it has reached 40% in men, and 64.6% in teenagers, over the last years.
What are the causes of gynecomastia? There are many factors that cause this problem. It is attributed primarily to the irritation of the breast tissues by estrogen substances, and that is where its treatment used to be based. Nevertheless, surgical removal through liposuction of the hypertrophic tissue is still the optimum solution.
So far, hormonal disorders have not been identified as its sole cause. On the contrary, most experts also attribute it to psychological, pathological, pharmacological, and idiopathic causes.
Gynecomastia can be divided into perinatal, pubescent, and adult gynecomastia. The first one is caused by the maternal estrogens through the placenta, which invoke the growth of breast tissues in newborn babies. Due to the fact, however, that this phenomenon lasts only from a few weeks to a few months, no treatment is applied.
With regard to teenagers, they may develop various forms of gynecomastia, which may last from a few months up to years. In some cases, this phenomenon is not so severe. Finally, in older ages, breast growth takes place, since the testosterone fraction is reduced.
Pathological gynecomastia results from various metabolic disorders, such as alcoholic cirrhosis, hypothyroidism, malnutrition, etc., as well as high estrogen conditions, such as various form of carcinomas.
Pharmacological gynecomastia results from various mechanisms, such as the increased estrogen activity and estrogen secretion, and reduced testosterone composition, or androgen sensitivity. Moreover, there are many drugs that have been found guilty of this phenomenon.
How is this problem dealt with? Various methods have been used right from its first occurrence, which have not proved to be effective. Therefore, we have reached the indisputable conclusion that, the most drastic and permanent treatment of the problem is liposuction.
With this approach, fat removal in the areas that most need it is more effective, leaving other areas intact. This implies a much faster recovery and less injure. Finally, in this way, the plastic surgeon has the possibility, simultaneously with fat removal, to shape the breast, by giving it a nice and manly look.
What should I expect after the surgery? There is no postoperative pain in general. The duration of recovery is about 3-4 days, and changes take place every two days. After two weeks, the stitches are also removed.