gynecomastia

Understanding Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is a condition among men wherein their breast tissues are enlarged. This can happen due to hormonal imbalances and fluctuations, or use of steroids, and that growth is true enlargement of the breast tissue.

Enlarged breasts are also seen in obese or overweight men, where there is a deposition of fat in the pectoral area of the chest, and the fatty tissues over the breast area give an appearance of enlarged breasts. This is referred to as pseudo-gynecomastia, and may be treated with surgical or non-surgical methods.

There is increasing evidence of substance abuse causing gynecomastia in young men aspiring to become body builders. In UAE, we see many young body builders who have used hormonal substitutes such as testosterone, androgen hormones, growth hormones, etc. and are suffering from painful glands in their chest. This is also a cause for recurrence in men who have undergone surgery previously to correct gynecomastia.

What is Gynecomastia Surgery?

Gynecomastia surgery is a process of rebuilding the man’s breasts to normal appearance, shape, size, and proportion.

Surgery for gynecomastia is performed under general anesthesia, and sometimes a one night stay at hospital or clinic may be required.

Broadly speaking, there are 3 types of techniques for gynecomastia surgery:

• Liposuction technique
• Surgical excision of the extra tissues
• Combined (Liposuction + Surgery)

To do this successfully, a well-trained and experienced team, like ours at Cocoona, is needed. Our top surgeons have cumulatively done over 2,000 breast surgeries with amazing results, including over 500 gynecomastia surgeries.

Why are Gynecomastia surgeries done?

If you are considering rhinoplasty, a bit of soul-searching is in order before you conclude whether you should proceed with it. You should be clear about the “Why” & the “Who” – why you want it and with whom you should do it.

The end-objective is to help make your chest appear more natural with a firmer feel and better contours. This will help enhance self-image and self-confidence.

To discuss your individual case, and get advice from the top gynecomastia surgeons in Dubai, book a confidential consultation with us today.

Deciding about Gynecomastia surgery

Gynecomastia surgery is among the most sought after cosmetic plastic surgery among men. Before leaping into the operating room, we suggest that you ask yourself some questions like:

Does your large breast cause social anxiety and physical discomfort?
Are you uncomfortable with your upper body being displayed in accepted surroundings like the pool, gym, or beach?
Will the surgery give you more confidence and contentment?
Will you be comfortable with this change?
Once you have answers to these questions, you must then take the most important steps of identifying the best gynecomastia surgeon, and breast clinic in town. This will ensure that you get the best consultation, advice, and results for your desired procedure.

A top Gynecomastia surgeon is one who is appropriately certified, well qualified, has loads of experience, has worked with different solutions and techniques, and is well respected amongst his peers and patients. The surgeon should have a good track record of consistent and quality results. Also during your initial consultation, remember to ask him to share the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos depicting his work.

A well-known and respected gynecomastia surgery clinic is one which has a good team of surgeons, anaesthesiologists, and nursing staff. Their location should be convenient and the premises should be approved by the medical authorities. They should have a reputation of successful surgeries, and their team should be able to explain the details of the procedures to you.

Cocoona has been voted as the “Best Aesthetic Clinic” for many years, and has all the necessary facilities to ensure a pleasant and happy experience. Our team will help you make a confident and informed decision.

Who is a good Gynecomastia surgery candidate?

Gynecomastia correction is indicated for men:

• Who are uncomfortable with their breast size, and its causing them psychological discomfort.
• Alternate treatment (dieting and exercising) have been unsuccessful in aiding them
• Who are not significantly overweight
• Who have good skin elasticity

A normally healthy man, with stable blood pressure, is generally a good candidate. Being a non-smoker also helps.

If you feel that some of these descriptions match you, come and talk to our experts, we will be able to guide you to the next steps towards having your chest reshaped to the contours you desire.

What are the types of Gynecomastia surgeries?

Broadly speaking, there are 2 types of surgical Gynecomastia correction options that the doctor will choose from:

1. Using Liposuction
2. Surgical excision

Please note that there are also non-surgical methods of treating gynecomastia, such as through ultrasound (often referred to as “ultrasonic liposuction”), or lipolysis, or even exercise, but on this page we are focusing only on surgical treatment of gynecomastia

At Cocoona, we have the expertise across all these options, and that is one of the reasons that we conduct the most number of successful gynecomastia surgeries in Dubai.

Let’s look at what these surgical options are and when they are used:

Liposuction Gynecomastia correction:

This technique works well when the correction needed is small sized and the skin elasticity is good. The process is similar to liposuction of any other part of the body, with expertise needed for getting the correct shape and contours on the chest.

In this process, the surgeon will make a tiny incision is made along the side of the areola, and using thin hollow metal cannula, attached to a suction, will drain out the excess fat (liposuction). After the liposuction technique has been used to remove fatty tissue from the breast structure, the surgeon will pull the underlying glandular tissue through this incision, hence the popular name for this technique – “PULL THROUGH TECHNIQUE”. Finally, the incisions are closed very carefully to ensure that the scars are scarcely visible.

This is also the preferred method for treating Pseudo-gynecomastia.

Based on the amount of tissue present on your breast area, the desired shape and physical condition, your surgeon will determine if this method suits your case.

Surgical Excision of Male Breast Tissue (Gynecomastia surgery):

For men requiring more extensive gynecomastia correction, especially when the skin elasticity is not good, the surgeon will need to perform a more invasive breast reduction surgery. This is usually conducted using general anesthesia, and can last about 2 – 3 hours. The main objective of the surgery is to restore the normal shape of the male breast by removing excess tissue and skin. The chest structure is a blend of glandular tissue, adipose (fatty) tissue, fibrous tissue, muscle and skin. The bone structure, proportion and symmetry of the chest has an impact on its overall appearance. So, this needs an artist’s mind to visualize the end result correctly and a skilled surgeon to implement the changes well.

The gynecomastia surgeon will also decide on the type of incision needed to get the best results. The most common approach is known as the WEBSTER incision; in medical terms it is also known as ‘Intra-Areolar incision’. In this method, the incision is made in the lower hemisphere of the breast, along the circumference of the areola. The surgeon will then excise the tissues around the breast area to give it the desired new shape.

Depending upon the body’s need, the surgeon may decide to choose to use the ‘Transverse Nipple-Areola’ incision, or the ‘Triple V-incision’. For massive gynecomastia, a resection of excessive skin and breast tissue, with a nipple grafting may be recommended, though this is a rare case.

The new approach is to minimize the size of incision to 2-3 cm and remove the entire gland piecemeal through this “keyhole”. This is popularly termed as ‘keyhole surgery’ for gynecomastia.

During your initial consultation, our expert male breast reduction surgeons in Dubai will evaluate your condition and make the best recommendation for your long-term benefit.

Please feel free to discuss the benefits of each type of option before deciding which is good for you. Our surgeon will recommend the best option suitable for you, his experience and training will guide you to the best possible results.

Come and talk to any of our specialist plastic surgeons to see which method will give you the desired chest contours.

Is Gynecomastia permanent?

When the Gynecomastia surgery is performed by a well experienced and skilled surgeon, the results can be considered permanent, giving many years of satisfaction. The surgeon removes the male breast glandular tissue during the procedure, thus having a case of re-growth is extremely unusual.

A Gynecomastia surgery has a very high success rate, and most patients are satisfied with their results when the surgery is done with a good breast surgeon.

At Cocoona, the skill of our leading breast surgeons ensures that your surgery is done in the most technically proficient manner to ensure maximum longevity and minimal chances of revision surgery.

How much does Gynecomastia cost?

The cost of a Gynecomastia surgery depends on the following:

• Technique – The technique used also affects the cost, i.e. via liposuction, or surgical excision.
• Surgeon’s Expertise – The surgeon’s fee is based on their experience. Obviously, a reputed surgeon with an established track record of quality results will charge higher fees, and give you a better, long-lasting result.
• Clinic/ Hospital – Fees also depend upon the quality of the facility chosen for the operation.

A Gynecomastia surgery is usually classified as a cosmetic surgery, and may not be covered by insurance. Please check with your insurance provider about eligibility.

You should bear in mind that the expertise of your surgeon and your comfort factor with him/ her should be one the most important considerations than just the cost of the surgery. An initially cheaper option could turn out to be an expensive proposition in the long run.

For an accurate assessment of cost, you would need an initial consultation with our surgeon

Gynecomastia – recovery period and downtime

Gynecomastia surgery is a well-established procedure. It takes between 2-3 hours. It is usually done as an inpatient procedure, one night stay in the hospital would be needed.

Most men can return to normal activities within 2 weeks and usually require only 3-4 days off work when having the procedure just before the start of a weekend.

You can commence basic exercises like walking, treadmill, stationary biking after 1-2 weeks. Heavy lifting or intense physical activity should be done only after your surgeon’s permission – could take up to 2 – 3 months.

Gynecomastia – risks and complications

As with any kind of surgery, there are risks that arise due to anesthesia, and the surgery itself.

Though the risks are unlikely, some of the possibilities are:

• Due to Anesthesia – allergic reactions, chest infection, blood clots
• Due to Surgery – scars, bleeding, infection, allergic reactions, partial or complete loss of flap and sensation, implant rupture.

It is important for you to choose a surgeon and clinic which has an exceptional record in minimizing risks and complications.

For your information, Cocoona’s rate of complication is less than 0.8% annually since 2005 – clearly displaying our expertise and success as the best clinic in Dubai for cosmetic surgeries. Book your initial consultation.

Preparing for initial meeting with the surgeon

What should you ask your Gynecomastia surgeon?

Gynecomastia – preparing for the big day

Gynecomastia recovery & follow-up

Gynecomastia results – what can you expect