Gynecomastia

What are the causes of gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia often appears in cases where estrogen (female hormone) levels rise while testosterone (male hormone) levels decrease. Such a case appears physiologically in infants, teenagers and adults. In most of the gynecomastia cases, the enlargement disappears within a few years.

Besides this, gynecomastia can also be observed in various hormonal disorders, in some types of cancer, especially in lung cancer, and in systemic diseases such as AIDS. Various heart medications, cancer drugs, hormone-containing drugs and narcotics can cause gynecomastia, as well. The condition that appears in association with obesity, in which the breast seems bigger due to lipoidosis, without enlargement of the mammary gland, is referred to as ‘pseudogynecomastia’. Pseudogynecomastia is a common problem, as well.

How is a patient with gynecomastia treated?

First, it is necessary to ascertain the cause of gynecomastia. If there is a suspected hormonal disorder, first the patient’s condition should be assessed by an Endocrinology Specialist. Hormonal tests are performed. In case of any disorder, a treatment intended for it is administered. In gynecomastia cases that appear during adolescence period, it is generally adequate to wait for a certain period of time. Most of them get improved in a couple of years. Other gynecomastia conditions can be corrected surgically.

What are the surgical procedures?

In the vast majority of patients with gynecomastia, liposuction alone can give satisfactory results. In patients, who have also excessive and dense breast tissue besides fat, ultrasonic liposuction (VASER) can be performed. If it remains inadequate, the excess breast tissue is removed through a short incision made around the nipple. In patients with excess skin and sagging nipple, the excess skin is removed in such a way as to ensure that the scar remains around the nipple. In male patients, care is taken not to leave any other scar, unless it is inevitable.

What should be done and what should not be done before the operation? As with all surgical procedures, it is necessary to stop using aspirin and smoking 2-3 weeks before surgery. In the last week, it is necessary to avoid using blood thinning drugs and other similar substances.

Does gynecomastia require anesthesia?

Gynecomastia surgery is done under general anesthesia, in an operation room.

How long does a gynecomastia operation take?

Gynecomastia operations take 1 to 2 hours, depending on the procedure to be performed.

Are gynecomastia operations painful?

Gynecomastia is not a painful procedure but the patient will feel some pain due to the liposuction procedure.

What are experienced after gynecomastia?

Patients can eat and stand up three hours after the operation. Usually, patients are discharged after 6 hours. If there is an incision, a small dressing is applied to the incision site. If there is no incision, the dressing is applied to the liposuction holes. Liposuction requires wearing a special corset for 2 weeks.

Patients can take a bath two days after the operation. After three days, they can be admitted to the clinic for control examination, and then they can return to work, start their normal daily activities, and can even drive a car. In the first 3 postoperative weeks, they should avoid exercises other than walking. After the third week, they can do all sports activities other than those which move the arms and breasts. After the sixth week, all kinds of sports activities can be done freely. In the first postoperative days, the breasts become hard and edematous, and there may be bruises. Bruises go away at the end of the first week.

Swelling and stiffness remain apparent in the first 3 postoperative weeks. After the third week, the swelling begins to regresses rapidly. The breasts take their final shape in the third postoperative month. Procedures such as lymph drainage and radiofrequency can be performed after the third week to accelerate the resolution of edema. Unless there is a special situation, the subsequent examinations are performed at the end of the 3rd week, 3rd month, 6th month and 12th month.

What kind of problems can be experienced after a gynecomastia operation?

Gynecomastia operations are generally unproblematic. In the first months, patients may feel uncomfortable due to prolonged swelling, but these are often temporary. Inadequately reduced breast is the most common problem that can be experienced in the long term. In such cases, a second procedure may be needed. Irregularities that may appear after liposuction are another potential problem. Collapses and corrugations may be encountered, but it is possible to minimize such problems with good planning and meticulous surgery.

Are the results of gynecomastia permanent?

If patients gain weight, their breasts may get a little bit larger, but they never return to their pre-operative states.

Gynecomastia Prices

The price of gynecomastia operations vary depending on the experience of the surgeon who will perform the procedure, the clinical environment where the operation will be done, and the quality of the materials that will be used in the operation. You can call our clinic to get detailed information and  make an appointment.