The primary concern regardinggynecomastia surgery is often the longevity of the results. Patients want to know whether or not gynecomastia surgery will provide them with permanent relief from gynecomastia symptoms, such as excess male breast tissue. Fortunately, the results of gynecomastia surgery are permanent, and below, we’ll tell you exactly why.
What is Gynecomastia?
First, let’s begin by touching ongynecomastia. This condition causes excess male breast tissue, resulting in enlarged breasts, or “man boobs”. It is often caused by an imbalance in hormone levels, which often occurs during puberty. However, gynecomastia can affect males of any age.
The Gynecomastia Surgery Procedure
Unlike most body contouring procedures, which target stubborn fat, gynecomastia surgery is actually removing glandular tissue. When fat cells are removed, fat can easily reaccumulate if a patient doesn’t maintain healthy lifestyle habits. But the tissue that is removed will not grow back. The appearance of “man boobs” is caused by excess breast tissue in the chest, not the presence of fat cells. So, when this tissue is removed via gynecomastia surgery, it permanently removes it from the body, along with excess skin, and provides a long-lasting sculpted appearance.
After Your Gynecomastia Surgery
Keep in mind that the results from your gynecomastia surgery will largely be reliant on how you handle your recovery period and your lifestyle following treatment. While gynecomastia can permanently eliminate excess breast tissue, it cannot prevent the accumulation of fat in the chest and surrounding areas. You need to be aware that future weight gain may cause body fat accumulation in the chest where gynecomastia once affected you. Fortunately, as this is just fat-related weight gain, it can be more easily eliminated with diet andgynecomastia exercise when necessary.
Do I Need Gynecomastia Surgery?
The first step in determining if you need gynecomastia surgery is determining whether your symptoms are actually gynecomastia-related. If so, you’ve probably noticed that your chest remains unchanged despite diet and exercise habits. If you merely have stubborn fat in the chest, there may be other treatment options, including non-surgical ones, that will be more suitable than gynecomastia surgery. In cases where the appearance of man boobs is a result of gynecomastia and the buildup of fatty tissue and glandular tissue in the chest, gynecomastia surgery is often the best course of treatment to produce the desired chest contours.
Schedule a Consultation
Are you ready to treat your enlarged male breast tissue once and for all? If you are interested in learning more about male breast reduction surgery, pleasecontact Dr. Delgado today. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, he is highly skilled in performing male breast reduction surgery on patients of all backgrounds to help improve their quality of life.Dr. Delgado has two convenient locations in Novato, CA, and San Francisco, CA.
When undergoing any type of surgical procedure, anesthesia will be used to keep the patient comfortable and allow for a safe procedure. Read on to learn more about the anesthesia options used for male breast surgery.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a condition that causes enlarged male breasts in both boys and men. Male breast enlargement can be caused by a range of factors, including hormonal imbalance, certain medications, illegal drugs, and more.
It is important to understand the difference between truegynecomastia and pseudo-gynecomastia. While true gynecomastia is caused by an increase in glandular tissue and breast tissue, pseudo-gynecomastia is primarily caused by excess fatty tissue to weight gain.
The most effective solution for true gynecomastia isgynecomastia surgery, or male breast reduction surgery. This procedure can be performed under a number of different types of anesthesia. Read on to learn more.
General anesthesia causes patients to fall into a sleep-like state with the use of a combination of medicines. This type of anesthesia is performed with an endotracheal tube or a laryngeal mask, also called an LMA. This is a lighter form of general anesthesia. It is considered a safe form of anesthesia for those without serious health conditions.
Local Anesthesia
This type of anesthesia is used to numb a specific area of the body and contains an infiltration of lidocaine, marcaine, epinephrine, and bicarbonate. Unlike general anesthesia, local anesthetics do not cause you to lose consciousness. Because of this, they are generally safer, and are associated with quicker recovery.
IV (Intravenous) Sedation
IV sedation refers to the administering of medication through the blood. Sedation relaxes you and sometimes makes you fall asleep. This type of sedation is often used for shorter, less complex procedures.
Determining Your Anesthesia for Male Breast Reduction Surgery
Dr. Delgado performs the majority of male breast reduction surgery under light general anesthesia. This is because it gives him total control during surgery and keeps the patient comfortable, as well as avoids excess bleeding for the best outcomes.
The best way to determine which anesthesia option is best for you is to discuss your procedure with a board-certified plastic surgeon such as Dr. Delgado during a consultation appointment.
Schedule Your Consultation
If you are tired of living with gynecomastia and are seeking male breast reduction treatment, please contact Dr. Delgado in San Francisco, CA today! You can give us a call or fill out ouronline contact form to get started.
Boys and males who suffer from enlarged male breasts often have a condition called gynecomastia. This condition is not life-threatening but can take a negative toll on the mental health of those living with it. Gynecomastia can actually be divided up into seven different types. Read on to learn more about these types and the best gynecomastia treatment option.
True Gynecomastia
True gynecomastia is caused by excess breast tissue and glandular tissue, causing large male breasts. This cannot be resolved with weight loss alone, and gynecomastia surgery is the only long-term solution.
Adult Gynecomastia
Adult gynecomastia usually affects men around the age of 50, because this is when “male menopause” begins, resulting in a decrease in testosterone production. In fact, one in four men will develop gynecomastia symptoms between the ages of 50 and 80. However, adult gynecomastia may also be the result of untreated adolescent gynecomastia.
Adolescent Gynecomastia
Adolescent gynecomastia affects teenagers due to a hormone imbalance caused by puberty. The most common symptoms include tenderness in the chest area, nipple soreness and sensitivity, a small lump beneath the nipple, and a puffy or shiny look to the nipple. If left untreated, this condition may follow patients into their adult years.
Medication-Induced Gynecomastia
In some cases, gynecomastia can be caused by certain prescription medications. The most common medications associated with gynecomastia include those for high blood pressure, ulcers, antidepressants, HIV, and prostate cancer. Illegal drugs that can lead to male breast growth include marijuana and heroin.
Steroid-Induced Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia can also be brought on by the use ofanabolic steroids. This type is common among bodybuilders and athletes.
Severe Gynecomastia
Patients with severe gynecomastia will have severely large breasts and excess skin. Older men or those who are obese with diminished skin elasticity may experience this form of gynecomastia.
Pseudo-Gynecomastia
Pseudo-gynecomastia, or false gynecomastia, is the result of fatty tissue rather than glandular tissue and can often be resolved with weight loss.
Gynecomastia Treatment Options
The best way to treat gynecomastia is with male breast reduction surgery. During this surgical procedure, Dr. Delgado will remove excess glandular tissue, remove excess breast tissue, and eliminate excess fat with liposuction techniques for a more masculine chest contour. He will create a personalized treatment plan for you that includes the best incision patterns and liposuction technique to help you reach your body goals.
This is an outpatient procedure, which means that you can return home to heal. You will need to wear a special compression garment during healing to reduce swelling and support your new chest contour. Also, be sure to follow Dr. Delgado’s instructions regarding pain medication for proper healing.
Schedule a Consultation for Gynecomastia Surgery in San Francisco
If you are bothered by enlarged male breasts, please do not hesitate to contact board-certified plastic surgeon,Miguel Delgado, MD. To schedule a one-on-one consultation regarding the male breast reduction treatment, please contact our San Francisco office today by giving us a call or filling out ouronline form.
Gynecomastia is a condition that causes the abnormal enlargement of breast tissue in males. There are a variety of different triggers for gynecomastia, including hormonal imbalance, low testosterone, steroids, certain medications, and obesity. And while this condition is often seen as an aesthetic issue, is can actually have a psychological impact on men as well.
The Psychological Effects of Gynecomastia on Teens
While gynecomastia is physically harmless, it can have a profound impact on the mental and emotional health of boys and men. Adolescent boys are most commonly affected by this condition, which can make them self-conscious about their already-changing bodies, often causing them to isolate themselves from social situations.
Many boys with gynecomastia avoid group activities, tend to dress in baggy clothes to cover their breasts, or avoid situations in which their chest may be exposed such as swimming. If left untreated, this social anxiety can lead to other psychological issues such as clinical depression, emotional isolation, and stress eating.
The Psychological Effects of Gynecomastia on Men
Gynecomastia can also affect men psychologically as well. Because the cause is often hormonal imbalances or low testosterone levels in adult men, this may lead to intimacy issues. Many men with gynecomastia avoid dating and live with a deep fear of rejection or humiliation due to their gynecomastia. Men who suffered from untreated gynecomastia-based social anxiety as children will continue to deal with the effects as they age, which can sometimes lead to depression and other psychological disorders.
How to Support a Loved One with Gynecomastia
Thankfully, the internet nowadays provides many different avenues for men to learn more about their condition and the treatments available. There are also social groups online where men can chat about their gynecomastia symptoms. Gynecomastia awareness helps men and their loved ones to better understand this disorder, which is a vital step for their treatment. If you have a loved one who is living with gynecomastia, be ready to listen and be open to learning more about this condition. Also, if you and your loved one are discussing possible gynecomastia surgery, joining them on their visit to different surgeons can be great support.
Treatment Options for Gynecomastia
While some adolescent boys will notice that their gynecomastia will correct itself as their hormones stabilize, some boys will not “grow out” of their condition. Gynecomastia that is caused by hormonal imbalance can only be corrected with gynecomastia surgery to remove excess tissue. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Delgado has been successfully treating patients with gynecomastia symptoms for over 30 years. He specializes in performing male breast reduction surgery and revision gynecomastia surgery procedures to help males feel confident in their bodies.
Schedule a Consultation in San Francisco
If you are interested in learning more about gynecomastia surgery and if you are a candidate, please contact Dr. Delgado today to schedule a consultation appointment.
Many men across the world suffer from enlarged breasts, which can cause self-consciousness and embarrassment. This condition, called gynecomastia, can be caused by many different factors, including medication. Read on to learn more about how the hair growth medication Finasteride can affect gynecomastia, as well as other medications.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a condition that is often caused by an imbalance of testosterone and estrogen in males. Certain medications can also cause male breast tissue to become enlarged. This enlarged breast tissue in boys and men can lead to self-consciousness. This condition can occur at different times in a male’s life, including at birth, during puberty, or adulthood.
There are also two types of gynecomastia including true gynecomastia and pseudo gynecomastia. With true gynecomastia, enlarged male breasts are caused by the development of breast tissue. The only solution for true gynecomastia is male breast reduction surgery. Pseudo gynecomastia is caused by an accumulation of fat in the chest area. It can often be reduced with weight loss or liposuction.
Finasteride Induced Gynecomastia
Finasteride is a popular treatment for androgenetic alopecia or male balding. It is given at a dose of 1 mg daily and has a relatively good safety profile. However, Finasteride is associated with gynecomastia in some men with a risk of about 4 to 10 out of every 1,000 users. Gynecomastia induced by Finasteride was often found to affect just one breast but can affect both as well. Some patients began to see gynecomastia symptoms as early as 1-2 weeks after starting this drug, but most noticed changes after a few months. Pain and/or tenderness often occur in those with Finasteride-induced gynecomastia due to the enlargement of breast tissue. For those who stop the drug completely in the early stages of gynecomastia, the condition may be reversed completely. However, if the drug is continued, it can lead to a stage of gynecomastia that can only be corrected with surgery.
Other Drugs that May Cause Gynecomastia
Along with Finasteride, there are also an array of other drugs that can lead to gynecomastia, including the following:
Heartburn medications: H-2 receptor blockers that are used to treat heartburn and ulcers have some evidence of causing gynecomastia. Cimetidine is a drug in this class that has one of the highest risks.
Ketoconazole (anti-fungal): The risk for gynecomastia is increased when taking oral Ketoconazole.
Lavender oil and tea tree oils: These essential oils have been shown to cause an increased risk of gynecomastia in children. Tee tree and lavender oils can be found in lotions, shampoos, and soaps.
Other drugs: Many other drugs can be linked to gynecomastia, including spironolactone, cimetidine, ketoconazole, hGH, estrogens, hCG, anti-androgens, GnRH analogs, and 5-α reductase inhibitors. Other drugs that have been labeled as “probably associated with gynecomastia” include verapamil, risperidone, omeprazole, nifedipine, alkylating agents, HIV medications, anabolic steroids, opioids, and alcohol.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are tired of living with gynecomastia and are seeking professional treatment, please contact Dr. Delgado today at 415-898-4161. Your first step toward treatment will be to schedule a consultation appointment to determine which treatment option is best for you.
