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Gynecomastia treatment (male breast reduction)
To get answers to the most frequent questions about gynecomastia
(male breast reduction) plastic surgery, please select one of
the links below:
What is gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is the enlargement of the male
breast, often with a feminine appearance. The nipple and areola
are only rarely enlarged. The word gynecomastia literally means
woman's breast and the enlargement can be in both projection and
width. Gynecomastia can range from a small mass of tissue located
behind the nipple to enlargement of the entire breast and can
be composed of both fatty and fibrous breast tissue.
How often does gynecomastia occur?
The medical literature reports a wide range of incidence rates
for gynecomastia and whether it occurs in both breasts or not.
Gynecomastia rates peak at three distinct times of life; 60-90%
of newborns can manifest gynecomastia. During puberty gynecomastia
can occur in up to about 65% of males and a third peak of incidence
occurs in adulthood.
Gynecomastia will resolve in the vast majority of cases occurring
during puberty within two years.
What causes gynecomastia?
There are a myriad of clinical causes for gynecomastia including
the hormonal changes that occur during puberty, various metabolic
and endocrine disorders including thyroid, liver and kidney disease, and
tumors and drugs including steroid and marijuana use.
We recommend that all patients with gynecomastia consult their
physician before seeking plastic surgical correction to exclude
a serious cause for the condition.
What problems can gynecomastia cause?
While gynecomastia is persistently painful in a small number
of patients, it is the alteration in body image and attendant
anxiety and embarrassment that can prevent participation in some activities
that patients find most troubling.
What is the goal of surgical treatment
of gynecomastia?
Our goal of surgery is to relieve the condition
adequately so that our patient can participate more fully in activities
where embarrassment and anxiety would otherwise occur. This can
include sports and social activities where certain clothing styles
would ordinarily be worn or where removal of one's shirt might
occur.
It's important to note that the surgical goal may not necessarily
involve removal of a shirt in public because skin removal, and/or
more extensive scarring can be required in some cases.
How is gynecomastia treated?
Aside from diagnosis and treatment of any underlying causes, the treatment
of gynecomastia can include use of medications, irradiation and/or
surgery.
Dr. O'Connell believes that the surgical treatment of gynecomastia
can be broadly categorized into that which requires skin removal
and that which does not. For cases without significant skin excess,
he believes that ultrasonic liposuction, by providing more complete
fat removal and skin shrinkage has resulted in a dramatic improvement
in aesthetic results. Dr. O'Connell has found that some of the
more difficult cases of gynecomastia located just behind the nipple
will respond to ultrasonic liposuction.
Dr. O'Connell was among the first physicians in the Northeast
to treat gynecomastia with ultrasonic liposuction. At Plastic
Surgery of Southern Connecticut, ultrasonic assisted liposuction
is our preferred technique for treatment of gynecomastia.
View photos of plastic
surgery for gynecomastia treatment:
Is hospitalization required?
In most cases ultrasonic liposuction is performed in our office
surgical suite without need for general anesthesia. Most patients
are able to return to sedentary activities within a few days.
More involved cases requiring skin removal or traditional surgery
for glandular reduction may require outpatient hospital care and
general anesthesia.
Does insurance pay for corrective
surgery in gynecomastia?
Currently most health insurance carriers do not provide reimbursement
for gynecomastia procedures.
Does treatment of gynecomastia
involve risks?
Yes. As in all surgical procedures, a thorough discussion of
all risks, alternatives and potential benefits is an essential part of the pre-operative consultative
process.
To contact Connecticut plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph B. O'Connell about any cosmetic surgery procedures, please fill out
our contact form or call us at (203)
454-0044. About Us | Cosmetic
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Plastic Surgery of Southern Connecticut
208 Post Road West • Westport, CT 06680
Phone: 203-454-0044 • Email: jbomd@aol.com
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