Gynecomastia to treat male breasts
Many men suffer from the presence of a mammary gland that causes a breast appearance. Gynecomastia in men can cause a lot of discomfort.
Neither sport nor a balanced diet can get rid of gynecomastia.
The treatment is surgical.
This medical information sheet was written in June 2021 by Dr. Ralph ABBOU and Dr. Rachel PESSIS who are plastic surgeons in Paris.
For any inquiry please send us an email : [email protected] or telephone +33 1 53 81 44 45
Before and after photos of gynecomastia treatment
What is gynecomastia in a man ?
Gynecomastia is an increase in the size of the mammary gland in men. It is characterized by the presence of small breasts in men. It can be a bilateral or unilateral gynecomastia.
This aesthetic disgrace can affect patients and cause significant discomfort. It can also cause significant discomfort in clothing.
Generally it is an idiopathic gynecomastia, that is to say that there is no cause to its occurrence. However, in some cases it may be related to abnormal hormonal production. It may be related to the use of certain medications (iatrogenic causes).
A clinical and endocrine blood test is necessary to eliminate a possible cause and a differential diagnosis.
In some cases, a treatment of the cause or a medical treatment will allow the breast to regress in men.
Why do men have gynecomastia surgery?
The goal of surgical treatment is to restore normal anatomy as best as possible with the principles of :
- reduce the volume of the breast by removing the gland for glandular forms or by liposuction for fatty forms. In the case of mixed forms, the surgeon must then combine the two techniques,
- Then reduce the excess skin: generally the reduction of the glandular volume will allow skin retraction
How will the treatment of gynecomastia take place?
Before the procedure, the patient must undergo several tests:
- Complete clinical examination in medical consultation
- Imaging tests: mammography or ultrasound: to analyze the density of the gland, or to eliminate breast cancer in older men.
- A specific hormonal assessment: this is a blood test that will measure certain specific hormones. (total testosterone, FSH, LH, search for renal insufficiency)
- Anesthesia consultation
When no cause has been found after clinical examination and if the patient is embarrassed, a surgical intervention can be proposed. This is provided that the patient is in good physical and psychological shape. This type of surgery is called a “gynecomastia cure”.
The treatment of gynecomastia
Each surgeon adopts his or her own technique and adapts it to each case to obtain the best results. However, there are some common basic principles that can be retained.
In the typical procedure, an incision is made at the lower edge of the areola. From this incision, the surgeon can remove the mammary gland and the excess fat.
Often in addition to this procedure, the plastic surgeon can perform a liposuction around the periphery of the excess glandular tissue in order to harmonize the whole. This also promotes skin retraction.
In the case of fatty gynecomastia, liposuction may be the treatment of choice.
When gynecomastia and excess skin are very important, the surgeon can correct the excess skin with scars.
The duration of the procedure varies depending on the surgeon and the technique used, ranging from one hour for isolated liposuction. The duration can be two hours for complex forms requiring a major reduction.
What are the consequences?
The aftermath of the operation can sometimes be painful for the first few days.
Often, the initial dressing is compressive. It is replaced the day after the operation by a lighter dressing associated with a “bolero” or a support vest to be worn day and night for some time. This support helps the skin to retract and promotes uniform healing.
If the procedure is covered by social security, you will be given time off work. If it is a cosmetic procedure within the framework of adipomastia, then you will need to plan for a ten-day vacation.
The improvement is often clear and immediate. However, a delay of two to three months is necessary to appreciate the final result.
This is the time needed for the post-operative edema to disappear and for the excess skin to retract.
The reduction in breast volume provides physical comfort, particularly when dressing. Finally, the result is often very beneficial on the psychological level.
The result is definitive and will be stable over time provided that you have a healthy lifestyle.
Price of gynecomastia treatment in Paris
| surgical operation | Price |
|---|---|
| Treatment of gynecomastia | From 3500 euros |
Gynecomastia reimbursement: coverage by social security is possible.
FAQs
Questions & Answers
What are the differences between gynecomastia and adipomastia?
Gynecomastia is to be distinguished from adipomastia (fatty swelling) which is much more frequent and corresponds to a local accumulation of fat.
In general, gynecomastia affects young men while adipomastia affects older men.
Adipomastia is treated by liposuction. Physiological gynecomastia can occur in teenagers or young men. They are related to a hormonal imbalance in favor of estrogen, disappearing in a few months.
How to treat Gynecomastia without surgery with cryopreservation?
It is possible to treat adipomastia, i.e. small excess fat on the pectoral area, with Cryolipolysis. In case of glandular swelling, Cryolipolysis will not be effective.
Cryolipolysis is a treatment of excess fat by cold.
How to recognize adipomastia?
It can be recognized by a flabby chest or an appearance following a weight change.
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