Posted July 16, 2019 in Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia, also known as male breast enlargement, is a common medical condition that can develop in men at any age and is caused by a variety of factors.
Most patients who struggle with this condition feel uncomfortable or embarrassed about their physical appearance. Men who desire to improve their confidence and enjoy a healthy and well-contoured physique can opt for gynecomastia surgery.
Gynecomastia surgery reduces the size of feminine breasts by getting rid of excess breast tissue to create a more masculine chest. Before making the decision to have surgery, identifying and understanding the cause of your gynecomastia can be the key to treating this concern.
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How Do Men Develop Gynecomastia?
Most cases of gynecomastia are known to develop in men during childhood, puberty, and even between the ages of 50 and 80, so it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly why you have developed this condition. Gynecomastia can develop based on the following factors:
Hormonal Imbalance and Changes
Hormonal changes can play a huge role in a man’s health. A loss or lack of testosterone can increase estrogen in the body and cause gynecomastia to develop. Men who have elevated levels of estrogen are more likely to develop this condition because estrogen stimulates the growth of glandular tissue in their breasts.
Medications
Medications like steroids, antibiotics, or AIDS and anxiety medication can cause the endocrine system to produce more hormones and can cause feminine breasts to develop.
Drug and Alcohol Use
Alcohol can affect the way a man’s body metabolizes its hormones. When this happens, an excess amount of estrogen can develop and cause the chest to grow. Patients who experiment with drugs like marijuana, methadone, and heroin can also develop gynecomastia and should consider male breast reduction surgery.
What Techniques Can Be Used to Treat Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia surgery, also known as male breast reduction, can be performed using the following two techniques:
- Liposuction: Best used on patients with minor to moderate cases of gynecomastia. A small incision is placed on the treated area along the lower part of the areola. Excess fat is then removed using a thin hollow tube (cannula), leaving behind a flatter and more attractive-looking chest.
- Tissue extraction: Ideal for patients who struggle with severe cases of gynecomastia. An incision is made on the chest as glandular tissue and breast skin are removed. After the chest is reshaped, the incision is closed and to produce a more masculine appearance.
To learn more about gynecomastia surgery or to determine if you are an ideal candidate, contact Dr. Ghere at her office at (225) 412-4774 or schedule a consultation with us online today!