Gynecomastia

Various biochemical and physiological activities happen in the body to protect human health and perform different bodily functions. The basic condition for the protection of both male and female health is to maintain a balance between certain hormone levels in the body. Disruptions or deterioration in the hormone balance may create the risk of facing various health issues such as gynecomastia.

What is gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia can have many different causes and can be defined as a condition characterized by the formation of female-type breast growth in male breast tissue. Healthy people have both male and female type breast tissue, yet in some men, the cells and tissues in the breast tissue of women that produce and carry milk secretion may be more developed than the male breast tissue.

Some men may develop female-type breast tissue due to health problems. Depending on the proliferation of the glandular component in the male breast, one or both breasts may become enlarged (gynecomastia). Breast enlargement that occurs as a result of the increase in adipose tissue in the chest wall due to weight gain is different from the increase in volume that is observed as a result of the development of different secretory glands in the breast tissue. Breast enlargement that occurs as a result of the increase in adipose tissue in the breast tissue may improve with weight loss, however, medical treatment is required in case of gynecomastia.

How is Gynecomastia Treated?

Gynecomastia treatment is determined according to the level of problem for each patient. The most effective method used in the treatment of gynecomastia is gynecomastia surgery. Although it is generally done under general anesthesia, local anesthesia can be applied when liposuction method will be used.

After assessing the size of the breast tissue and excess skin, the scope of the surgical procedure is determined. In cases of glandular type gynecomastia, in which hard breast tissue is predominant, the tissue is surgically removed. In case of excess adipose and glandular tissue, surgical procedure is combined with liposuction. In gynecomastia where the adipose tissue is predominant, it is sufficient to use liposuction.

Post Gynecomastia

After gynecomastia surgery, there may be pain, tenderness, bruising and edema in the operated area. This operation-related condition is natural and resolves along with healing process.

Patients should not take a shower for the first 3 days after gynecomastia surgery and should lie on their back for at least 1 week. The gynecomastia corset should be used without interruption for the duration specified by the doctor. During the 3 weeks following the surgery, the patient should not lift heavy objects or do heavy sports for 6 weeks, and avoid any activities that may cause an impact to the chest area. Also, environments such as sauna and solarium should not be used due to the risk of edema.