Gynecomastia

A firm, contoured chest is a feature that many men desire to have. However, various factors can cause the growth of excess breast tissue and fat deposits in the chest area, leaving males with “female-like breasts.” Known as gynecomastia, this condition can affect men of all ages and generally causes a great deal of embarrassment. Gynecomastia is not always easy to correct; diet and exercise regimens may fail to produce satisfying results. For patients with gynecomastia who would like to improve their chest appearance, gynecomastia surgery is available.

Causes of Gynecomastia

• Hormonal changes (puberty)
• Medications
• Excessive drug and/or alcohol consumption
• Health conditions (hyperthyroidism)

Candidates for Gynecomastia Surgery

Candidates for gynecomastia surgery are usually at least 18 years of age and in good overall health. Although gynecomastia surgery may remove some fatty tissue, patients should already be at or close to their ideal weight and have realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure.

Gynecomastia Surgery Procedure

Gynecomastia surgery generally consists of liposuction to remove excess soft tissue from the chest area. Dr. Alexander always performs gynecomastia surgery in the safety of a fully accredited surgical center with his patients under the supervision of a board-certified anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist will administer general anesthesia to ease any patient discomfort. Then, Dr. Alexander will carefully make tiny incisions in the creases beneath the breasts to hide scarring. Once the incisions are made, a thin, hollow tube is inserted beneath the skin to separate the fat cells from the surrounding tissue. A specialized vacuum device is then used to permanently suction out localized fat deposits. After the desired amount of fat is removed, the incisions are closed with sutures. During instances where glandular tissue causes the enlarged breasts, Dr. Alexander will excise the excess tissue along with liposuction.

Recovery From Gynecomastia Surgery

The amount of downtime associated with gynecomastia surgery varies for each individual depending on the severity of their condition and the technique used for their surgery. Most patients will need about a week of downtime, and strenuous physical activities should be avoided for at least four weeks.

Gynecomastia Surgery Results

The results of gynecomastia surgery will not be apparent immediately, but the breast area will become noticeably smaller and contoured over the coming weeks. Patients are typically very satisfied with their new look and can expect their results to be lasting if they maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen.

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If you think that you are a good candidate for gynecomastia surgery, we encourage you to contact our Las Vegas practice by calling (702) 242-6776 or filling out our online contact form today. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. George Alexander can help you achieve the confidence that comes with a more attractive chest. We look forward to hearing from you soon!