Gynecomastia (also spelt gynaecomastia) is the swelling or enlargement of male breast tissue. This can be a result of estrogen levels being out of balance with testosterone levels, or estrogen levels being too high.
There are two surgical options for gynecomastia:
- Liposuction
- Mastectomy
Before undergoing surgery, it is always important to ensure you are aware of what the procedure involves. Surgery of this kind is tailored to suit your needs. And it is necessary before having surgery for gynecomastia that you have realistic expectations of what the surgery can achieve.
Surgical treatment options for Gynecomastia
To find the best treatment option for you, an assessment of your general health and your condition will first need to be made. This is because the cause of your gynecomastia will play a significant role in how it’s treated.
5 things to consider before undergoing surgery for Gynecomastia
1.    Your age
It is best to wait until breasts are fully developed before having the procedure. For teens or young men, waiting until your breasts have fully developed is highly recommended. Which may mean waiting a few years after you begin to experience gynecomastia.
There are non-surgical options you can try in the interim. And these non-surgical are best discussed with your doctor.
2.    Aesthetics
Surgery requires incisions which means scarring. And while incisions can–and usually are–hidden in natural contours, some scars could still be visible.
This is an unavoidable part of breast reduction surgery. However, a practiced and skilled doctor will make these incisions as discreetly as possible.
3.    Your weight
This surgery is most effective when you are close to your ideal body weight. If you are overweight this surgery may not be for you. Unless, that is, diet and exercise or other proven methods of weight loss have not worked for you.
4.    Clean health
Many different things can cause gynecomastia, including what you put in your body. For example, prescription medications and drugs like steroids as well as alcohol can cause gynecomastia.
If any of these are the cause of your gynecomastia, your body will need to be completely free of them before surgery can be performed.
5.    Maintenance
To get the full benefits of gynecomastia surgery, you must be prepared, post-surgery, to maintain a stable weight for the long term.
Surgical Technique 1: Mastectomy
The purpose of a mastectomy is to remove breast gland tissue from enlarged breasts. Mastectomy is done by making in an incision in the breast and carefully removing the excess breast gland tissue.
In some cases, this surgery on its own is enough to treat your gynecomastia.
Surgical Technique 2: Liposuction
Liposuction of excess breast gland tissue is similar to most liposuction operations. A small incision is made in the chest wall and the excess fatty tissue is suctioned out.
Depending on how much work you need to be done, the areola may be decreased, and the nipple repositioned.
In some cases, liposuction is paired with a mastectomy for best results.
Is surgery for gynecomastia a good option for you?
If you find yourself saying yes to a combination of the following six points, surgery for gynecomastia might be the right option for you.
- You’re healthy.
- You neither smoke nor take drugs.
- Your breasts are fully developed.
- Your breast tissue is tender and sore, causing you discomfort.
- Your expectations of surgery are realistic.
- Alternative medication treatments have proven ineffective.
The best treatment for gynecomastia
Plastic surgery for gynecomastia is a personal choice. Which option the best one is for you will depend on your health and your expectations.
Some patients looking to have gynecomastia treated, have great success with just one of the above-mentioned treatment options. While others benefit from a combination of the two.
 To find out which treatment option is best for you, why not book a free gynecomastia consultation today?
