Gynecomastia Archives - Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery

Gynecomastia in Michigan: What You Might Not Know

Hormones are responsible for many of our bodily functions, including the expression of our gender by the development of secondary sex characteristics. Usually, this results in facial hair and a deeper voice for males. When something goes wrong with the hormone levels, however, men can develop enlarged breasts. This condition is called gynecomastia. Men with this condition in Michigan are advised to consider liposuction or male breast reduction.

Male Breast Reduction

For patients in Michigan with stubborn cases of gynecomastia, male breast reduction is a viable option. Using the same surgical approach used to reduce female breasts, large male breasts can be permanently reduced. This procedure is effective and permanent. Surgical openings are made around the areola and at the crease at the bottom of the breast. Excess tissue is then removed until the proper flatness and evenness has been achieved.

Liposuction

With liposuction, marks are drawn on the patient’s chest to indicate where the procedure will be performed. Small surgical openings are then created in the chest, and a mixture of salt water and anesthetic is injected to facilitate removal of the fat. The fat will be removed with a suctioning machine, after which the sites will be sealed and the treated area(s) drained if necessary.

Get In Touch with Us for More Information

Gynecomastia can affect a man’s life in many different ways. If you or a loved one are struggling with this condition, feel free to make an appointment with Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery. At our convenient locations in Potage and Battle Creek, our caring and dedicated team of professionals will be pleased your options in full and answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to set up your consultation – we look forward to speaking with you!

Choosing Male Breast Reduction for Gynecomastia

There are men who are in physically good condition but seem to be unable to get rid of enlarged breasts. In this scenario, there’s more going on than simply a matter of excess weight. The most practical solution is to consider undergoing a male breast reduction for gynecomastia. Here are some basics that you should understand before requesting this type of procedure.

Is the Procedure Right for Me?

There are certain qualities that make you a prime candidate for male breast reduction for gynecomastia. You should be in basically good physical condition. That does not mean you are disqualified because of a chronic health issue. Assuming your condition is under control, you may still be able to undergo the procedure. Men who do not smoke and do not use recreational drugs are also good candidates. When it comes to prescription medications, discuss anything you take regularly with the surgeon. It may be necessary to avoid taking one or more of those drugs in the days prior to the procedure.

How Is the Procedure Done?

There’s more than one way to go about male breast reduction for gynecomastia. A lot depends on the severity of the condition. For some men, it may only require a relatively simple procedure.

In more pronounced cases, a more invasive approach may be necessary. This is true when breast tissue has to be removed and the nipple has to be surgically realigned. Since some men with this condition also have enlarged nipples, a reduction and reshaping of the nipple may take place at the same time.

What Is the Recovery Like?

After the male breast reduction for gynecomastia, gauze and other forms of dressing will be applied to your chest. Elastic bandages help to hold the dressing in place and also make it easy to change the dressing when needed. You may also wear some sort of compression garment for a period of time. For the next several days, limit any exertion that would cause stress on the area. That includes lifting anything that’s more than a few pounds.

What Impact Will the Procedure Have?

Life will be different after the male breast reduction for gynecomastia. You’ll like the way your shirts fit once the healing is completed. If you were uncomfortable in situations where men normally go without shirts, you can now feel free to remove your shirt without feeling self-conscious. That makes going to the beach, attending a pool party, or using the shower after working out at the gym a lot more enjoyable.

Is male breast reduction for gynecomastia right for you? You can easily find out by visiting Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery and speaking with our professionals. We are conveniently located in Portage and Battle Creek. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!

Finding Treatment for Gynecomastia in Michigan

Sometimes, glandular tissue in the breasts of boys or men becomes enlarged. This is referred to as gynecomastia. This issue affects and embarrasses many men. Thankfully, there are treatment options available in Michigan. Tackling the issue head-on may be the perfect way to regain your confidence and improve your overall quality of life.

What Is Gynecomastia?

The glandular tissue of men’s breasts can become enlarged for a few reasons, with a hormone imbalance being the most likely culprit. It is important to diagnose that an individual has true gynecomastia, not pseudogynecomastia, which is when there is simply fatty deposits in the general area of the male breasts. It is only true gynecomastia if it is the actual breast tissue that is enlarged.

It is relatively normal for boys to experience this phenomenon when they are infants and then again during puberty. Older men can develop the issue as well because they begin to produce less testosterone, which throws off the hormonal balance. There are also medical conditions as well as medications that increase a man’s odds of developing this condition.

How Do I Know if I Have Gynecomastia?

In many cases, a physical examination by a medical professional can help determine if you have this condition. To be diagnosed with this condition, you must have breast tissue greater than 0.5 cm. Again, it has to be actual breast tissue, not a fatty deposit nearby. Enlarged breast tissue typically is near the nipple.

In some cases, more testing may be required for a diagnosis. An X-ray, breast ultrasound, or a mammogram may be called for. If it is determined that you do have this condition, more testing may be done to try to pinpoint the underlying cause. This can include blood tests that will measure the function of the liver, kidney, and thyroid.

Finding Treatment for Gynecomastia

During puberty, the symptoms of gynecomastia typically resolve themselves within six months. Mature adult males, however, often need treatment in order to get rid of the problem. Men here in Michigan have several treatment options, depending on their individual needs. When caught early on, certain medications may be helpful. Otherwise, reduction mammoplasty (breast reduction surgery) may be called for. This surgery has proven itself to be very effective for men who have not responded to medication, those who have a severe condition, and those who have had it for a long period of time.

Learn more about Gynecomastia and how it can be treated in Michigan by reaching out to the professionals at Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery. The earlier you do something about this issue, the sooner you can regain your confidence. We are conveniently located in Portage and Battle Creek. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!

What Is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is the medical term for when men have enlarged breast tissue. Although it can sometimes only affect one side, it more commonly affects both breasts. It can be caused by several different things and often is a source of embarrassment. Luckily, there are treatment options available for men with this condition. Our experienced surgeon typically opts for liposuction to remove excess fat and tissue, but breast reduction is also an option available to you.

How Do You Know if You Have Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is not considered a serious medical problem, but it can cause emotional discomfort. The condition is characterized by having excess glandular tissue development and localized fat. Sometimes, there is also excessive skin in the area. When it only affects one side, it is said to present unilaterally. When it affects both breasts, it is presenting bilaterally.

What Causes Gynecomastia?

This is a condition that can affect any man. Certain things, however, increase an individual’s odds. They are:

Age: Gynecomastia is relatively common when a male is going through puberty. In these cases, it usually goes away by itself. This condition is actually most common when a man is between the ages of 50 and 69 and often does not go away.

Medications: Certain prescription medications affect hormone levels, potentially causing gynecomastia. Examples of commonly prescribed drugs include:

Anabolic steroids
Antibiotics
Heart medications
Tricyclic antidepressants
Anti-anxiety medications

Lifestyle Factors: Both drinking too much and taking illegal street drugs can contribute to gynecomastia as well. Marijuana, heroin, methadone, and amphetamines are all examples of drugs that affect the hormones that in turn can affect breast tissue development.

Other Medical Problems: Many medical conditions result in a hormonal imbalance. Examples of common culprits include:

Malnutrition
Kidney failure
Liver failure
Hyperthyroidism
Tumors (especially if found on the testes or adrenal glands)
Hypogonadism

How Gynecomastia Is Treated

There are certain medications that are sometimes prescribed to treat this condition. These medications are safe, but not cleared by the FDA for this particular use. Alternately, men can choose to have surgery. Either liposuction or a mastectomy can be an effective way to remove excess breast tissue.

If you are interested in learning more about what gynecomastia is and how it can be treated, visit Southwest Michigan Plastic and Hand Surgery to learn about your options. We are conveniently located in Portage and Battle Creek, MI. Our educated staff would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!