Understanding Gynecomastia: Causes, Symptoms, and Surgical Solutions

When challenging societal norms, the toned upper chest for men remains a convention that can be hard to overcome. For men with prominent breast development, colloquially known as ‘man boobs’, embracing this condition might be more challenging. Ranging from minor chest fullness to a medical condition involving excess glands and fat, ‘man boobs’ trigger insecurities among numerous men.

Comprehending Gynecomastia

Typically, male breast tissue under the nipple includes muscle and fat layers. Gynecomastia is a medical condition in males where abnormal growth of glandular breast tissue leads to enlarged breasts. This condition may be unsettling and a constant source of embarrassment for some men, but there are ways to get rid of excess breast glands and fat. Gynecomastia surgery can often provide an effective solution for treating gynecomastia. The surgical approach is tailored based on the specific grade of gynecomastia.

Symptoms and Causes of Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia Surgery symptoms include rubbery breasts with swelling and tenderness of nipples. This might lead to prominent, sagging and stretched areolas. This is quite different from breast enlargement caused by excess fat and can be rightly diagnosed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. While gynecomastia is typically not a medical concern, many men find it embarrassing and challenging to manage often succumbing to isolating themselves due to social anxiety.

Gynecomastia causes include natural hormone imbalances, mainly estrogen and testosterone, during different life stages (birth, puberty, ageing). Medications affecting hormones, such as anabolic steroids, heart meds, antibiotics, and more, can also trigger it. Substance use (marijuana, alcohol) is also a factor. Rarely, genetic conditions (Klinefelter syndrome), kidney/liver issues, testicular/adrenal tumours, excess prolactin, or antipsychotic medication can cause gynecomastia. Consult a board-certified surgeon for the right course of action.

Is Gynecomastia treatment without surgery a good option?

There are several non-surgical treatment options marketed as a solution for gynecomastia. Let’s explore their efficacy in detail. 

• Diet Changes: Healthy diet can reduce excess fat accumulation but this does not address excess glands due to hormonal imbalances. 
• Hormone Therapy: Restoring hormonal levels through therapy has been recommended to address gynecomastia caused by hormone imbalances. However, it may not always be a reliable option due to its effectiveness being influenced by factors like the underlying cause of the condition and individual hormone levels. Results can be inconsistent, and the therapy might not lead to the desired reduction in breast tissue. 
• Compression Garments: Flattening chest appearance through compression clothing is a temporary solution that can get tiresome and affect day-to-day life in the long run.
• Exercise: Regular exercise, including strength training and cardiovascular workouts, can diminish breast enlargement caused by reducing body fat and improving muscle tone. Yet, if glandular tissue growth is the main factor, exercise alone will not eliminate it.

Gynecomastia treatment without surgery encompasses strategies such as pharmacological management. It rectifies underlying hormonal imbalances, cessation of medications responsible for causation, and comprehensive management of concurrent health conditions. However, it is imperative to acknowledge that non-surgical interventions might exhibit limited efficacy in cases marked by considerable glandular tissue augmentation or pronounced severity. In such instances, seeking guidance from a qualified medical practitioner becomes imperative to ascertain the optimal course of action. 

Treating Gynecomastia with Surgery

If you are looking for a long-term permanent solution to your breast enlargement, then the surgical route is the way to go! The treatment method for gynecomastia depends on its type and severity. Surgery is opted when significant breast growth causes discomfort or greatly impacts the quality of life.

Gynecomastia surgery includes discreet incisions placed in the lateral chest. Depending on gynecomastia severity, excess glandular tissue and fat are removed if needed, sculpting the chest for a masculine form. Advanced tools like Power-assisted instruments and ultrasound-assisted VASER eliminate excess fat and tissue. VASER enhances skin tightness in various gynecomastia grades, and specific surgical instruments excise extra glands. A radio-frequency enhanced skin tightening with Bodytite is also performed if your skin has excess laxity.  

If you are looking for the best plastic surgeon in India, Dr Priya Bansal is known for achieving exceptional masculine chest contours from gynecomastia surgery. Book an appointment with her for a personalised treatment plan that exceeds your expectations. All the best for your treatment!