Gynecomastia
-
- Tweet
Brooks Plastic Surgery
Christopher Brooks, MD
Plastic Surgery located in Hollywood, FL
Many men are troubled by excess breast tissue, a condition that’s more common than you might think. Christopher Brooks, MD, of Brooks Plastic Surgery in Hollywood, Florida, offers gynecomastia, a simple surgical procedure that gives you a more streamlined chest and improved confidence. If you’d like to learn more, schedule a visit today. Online booking is one option, or you can always call during business hours to check appointment availability.
Gynecomastia Q & A
What causes excess breast tissue in men?
Men have breast tissue, although it usually remains relatively flat against the chest wall. In some cases, that breast tissue swells to a point it becomes noticeable, a condition called gynecomastia. That can lead to embarrassment and make it hard to feel comfortable in your own skin.
There are multiple factors that cause gynecomastia, including:
- Hormonal imbalance where testosterone is reduced or estrogen is increased
- Certain medications
- Heavy drinking
- Marijuana, methadone, heroin, or amphetamine use
- Tumors that impact hormone production
- Kidney failure
- Liver problems
- Certain herbal products
Gynecomastia is more common during puberty and after the age of 50. Men of any age, however, can encounter swollen breast tissue.
How is gynecomastia treated?
The most effective way to treat gynecomastia is with a surgical procedure to remove excess breast tissue. Dr. Brooks has several approaches to choose from to address extra fat, muscle, and skin.
Liposuction is a procedure in which suction is used to remove fat cells through a series of small incisions. The area of focus is first flushed with a saline solution to make it easier to remove targeted fat cells.
Mastectomy is a surgical procedure to remove breast tissue. The procedure is usually done using an endoscope, which requires just a few small incisions.
In many cases, a combination of liposuction and mastectomy is the best approach. If a major reduction is required, a portion of breast skin might be removed before the incisions are closed.
What kind of recovery follows gynecomastia surgery?
Your recovery process depends on how much tissue was removed and how large your incisions are. You’ll usually wear a special compression garment to keep pressure on your chest as your body begins the healing process.
A degree of swelling and bruising is common, and there will be some discomfort in the days after surgery. You should be able to resume some activities within a couple of days, but it’s important to avoid heavy lifting or exertion for six weeks after your procedure.
If you have questions about gynecomastia treatment or would like more details on the procedure or recovery process, call or use the online booking tool to set up a visit.
