Up to 65% of young men will develop breasts by the age of 14. As boys go through puberty, they will have an imbalance of sex hormones. This is a normal condition but can be very frightening as they see their body going through changes
Unfortunately, if boys do not understand what is happening they will probably try to hide their chest with loose fitting shirts, avoid swimming, or any activities that require removing their shirt. Most boys are too embarrassed to confide in their parents.
With the prevalence of bullying in school, boys with gynecomastia are easy targets. Cruel nicknames can cause isolation and self-hatred.
Thankfully, 90% to 95% of young men will find the condition will resolve itself in a few weeks up to 2 years without any treatment. However, when you are young, 2 years can feel like an eternity! Receiving emotional support from parents or other family members can make a big difference.
Hopefully, young men and their parents will find this website. In addition to all the information posted here, there are many forums available (at no charge) where members can ask questions of each other and of gynecomastia specialist.
There are many personal stories posted on this site, one in particular is “A Mother’s Story.” She encourages boys to let their parents know how much they are suffering, and that they may be surprised at how supportive they are.
If any young men are reading this blog but feel it is impossible to talk to their parents, you might try sending an email with a link to the Mother’s story and also to this site. It is surprising how many people are unaware of gynecomastia. It is a tragedy for boys to suffer when help is available. The pictures below are of a 12 year old boy, he did not have any skin excision due to good elasticity.
In some cases of severe gynecomastia or severe depression, surgery may be an option and can be a life-changing event. Parents are urged to seek a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in gynecomastia.
After male breast reduction surgery, if a lump is felt weeks or even months later, the natural reaction is the breast tissue has grown back. Unless the patient has been taking anabolic steroids, Propecia or other substances that may cause breast tissue growth, it is most likely the formation of scar tissue. Scar formation is normal after any type of surgery and generally takes 4 to 12 weeks to form.
If there is puffiness early in the recovery, it could be residual swelling or possibly not enough tissue was removed, but it would not be scar tissue.
When the initial results appear to be excellent, most likely the right amount of tissue and fat were removed. However, if the patient notices a firm lump most likely under the nipple, and it is determined to be scar tissue, revision surgery probably is not necessary. The surgeon can inject cortisone, like Kenalog, that will gradually dissolve the scar tissue. Sometimes more than 1 injection is needed.
Gynecomastia surgeons are very careful not to remove too much tissue, or the result may be a “crater deformity.” In the unfortunate situation where not enough tissue removed, or too much, gynecomastia revision surgery will be needed. The scarring in these cases can be problematic, and require the expertise of a gynecomastia specialist. The scar tissue from the original surgery makes the dissection more challenging, and the scar tissue will impede the contraction of the skin.
Liposuction or lipo is a type of fat removing procedure used in plastic surgery. It is one of the most common operative procedures performed nationwide. There is no evidence that states that liposuction has an effect on weight beyond a certain amount of months. And there is also no evidence which states that this procedure has an effect on obesity-related problems. Liposuction surgery is frequently performed simultaneously with other procedures.
Who is a good candidate for lipo surgery?
The ideal candidate for liposuction surgery is a patient who is at or close to ideal or long-term, stable weight who has a disproportionate amount of fat that is resistant to diet and exercise. Many patients find that there are certain areas of the body that are “preferred storage sites”.
That is to say, these areas are the first places weight gain shows up and the last place for it to leave. This often genetically determined and may even run in families. From about the age of five or six on, the number of distribution of fat cells in the body is determined for life.
Weight loss and weight gain cause these fat cells to get larger or smaller, not increase in number. Therefore, when the fat cells are removed by liposuction from an area, they are not coming back, and the patient’s contour is now more proportionately sculpted. In the future, weight gain and weight loss will be more diffuse and proportioned across the body rather than going to these “preferred storage areas”.
What areas of the body are commonly treated with liposuction surgery?
In women, the most common areas are the inner and outer thighs, knees, abdomen, and hips as well as the upper back, arms and under the neckline. For men, the most common areas are the abdomen, love handles, and often times the chest as part of the treatment for gynecomastia. Multiple areas of liposuction done simultaneously are more the rule than the exception.
Can anyone have this surgery?
The skill and integrity of the surgeon can help you decide whether liposuction surgery is suitable for you. Some patients for loose skin and liposuction surgery may make the appearance of loose skin worsen. Other patients may not have enough fat to make the liposuction surgery worthwhile, and it is up to your surgeon to set realistic expectations with patients beforehand.
Some patients may in fact be more of a candidate for a tummy tuck or thigh lift surgery rather than liposuction surgery. It is also important to recognize that liposuction surgery does not in general help with cellulite.
Do you have to put me asleep for liposuction surgery?
In general, it is safer to simply let the patient go to sleep and not feel or remember anything about the procedure and wake up in the recovery room with everything already completed. This is the advantage of using a board-certified plastic surgeon well versed in all aspects of surgical and anesthetic care.
Who should perform liposuction surgery?
The most important factor is finding a surgeon board certified by the American Society of Plastic Surgery. Ideally, they should be members of the American Society of Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery – the premier organization for plastic surgeons.
There are many physicians who are untrained in plastic surgery residency programs who take weekend courses and perform these operations. Patients need to be clear on the qualifications of the surgeon they select. In addition, it is important that the facility where the surgery is performed is state-licensed.
Followinggynecomastia surgery, a compression vest may be part of your post-surgery recovery. Compression vests are specially designed garments that compress and support the chest area following a surgical procedure in order to reduce swelling and support the new body contour. Read on to learn more about the importance of compression vests and what role they play in the healing process.
The Importance of the Compression Vest
Not all surgeons require a compression vest after surgery, and some for only a short time. Dr. Delgado has hisgynecomastia patients wear a compression vest 24/7 for 6 weeks after surgery. Two vests are provided, one at the time of surgery, which is heavier with an elastic-velcro strap to reduce bleeding. The second is applied after the drains are out and is lighter, shorter, and easy to camouflage under a shirt. The vests may be a little uncomfortable but is necessary for the healing process. They should be worn snugly, but not tight.
Dr. Miguel Delgado recommends the vest be worn 24/7 for 4 to 6 weeks, depending on how the patient is healing. The vest should only be removed when showering.
The purpose of the vest is to aid the skin to contract. The vest helps increase the flow of blood and prevent the collection of excessfluid. Additionally, the compression vest controls the amount of swelling and aids in binding the chest tissues, all while decreasing post-op pain.
After initial healing, Dr. Delgado has his patients graduate to a second vest that is thinner and has a lining of soft T-shirt material with compression in the chest area only. Men who wear dress shirts state that these vests are not visible and more comfortable.
Schedule a Gynecomastia Surgery Consultation
Patients in San Francisco and the Bay Area who are seeking a permanent solution to their gynecomastia can trustDr. Delgado to provide natural-looking and optimal results. If you are interested in learning more about gynecomastia, male breast reduction, what to expect post-surgery regarding male compression vests, and more, pleasecontact Dr. Delgado today to schedule a consultation appointment in Novato or San Francisco, CA.
Compression Vest FAQs
How tight should the compression vest be after gynecomastia surgery?
The garment should fit snugly but not so tight that you have trouble breathing or you develop wounds or blisters from the compression.
What happens if I don’t wear a compression vest after gynecomastia surgery?
Wearing a compression vest after surgery is recommended to minimize swelling and bruising, which can result in a shorterwound healing time. Compression vests also help to prevent hematomas.
Can I take my compression vest off for a few hours?
While you are free to take your compression vest off to bathe or wash, it is essential that you wear it as directed by Dr. Delgado. For questions regarding compression vests, please contact our office today.
What will happen if I stop wearing my compression garment?
Not wearing your compression garment can greatly increase the risk of noticeable scarring, prolonged swelling, and bruising.
Avoiding complications after gynecomastia surgery is a goal of all surgeons. With careful planning, most complications can be minimized or avoided altogether. Most gynecomastia surgeons believe in the use of drains and the wearing of a compression vest after surgery.
Drains are an effective measure against the accumulation of fluid in the “dead space” left from the excision of breast tissue. The accumulation of clear serous fluid is referred to as a seroma. If left untreated, a seroma can interfere with healing and possibly lead to an infection with swelling and can be painful. Drains collapse the “dead space,” evacuate the fluids and create a negative pressure to the cavity encouraging it to close down.
The drains have tubes that carry the fluids from the surgical site through a tiny incision in the armpit and empty into a small plastic bulb by negative pressure. Then dressings are applied and the placement of a compression vest. Usually within 2 to 3 days will be the first post-operative visit and at that time the drains most likely will be removed. The compression vest is only to be removed when the patient takes a shower and is to be kept in place for 6 weeks. The use of drains reduces the chances of a seroma greatly by removing fluids as they collect.
If drains are not used, needle aspiration will need to be done every few days until the cavity is collapsed, but the healing will be prolonged and is very inconvenient for the patient. Dr. Miguel Delgado has been using drains for his gynecomastia patients for over 25 years with minimal incidence of complications. Dr. Delgado has designed a compression vest that has built-in pockets for the bulbs to rest in, instead of being attached with safety pins.
