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Society has set norms about the male and female body from the beginning. Due to this, men have just as many body standards as women. And they have to live up to those standards at all costs. One of these body standards involve not having excess breast tissues.
Gynecomastia is a medical condition that changes this standard and often forces men to undergo gynecomastia surgery for the removal of these breast tissues. For some males, this condition arises and resolves on its own. However, not everyone is that lucky.
If you have been diagnosed with gynecomastia and the doctor has exhausted other methods of treatment other than surgery, you will need some insights about the surgery and other aspects of the treatment. So, today, you will get to learn the important things that you should know before having gynecomastia surgery.
Important Things You Need to Know Before Gynecomastia Surgery
Here is a list of things that will provide you with detailed information about what the surgery entails, how you can prepare, and how you can get the best results.
1: How is Gynaecomastia Surgery Performed?
The first thing you should know about gynecomastia surgery is that the procedure is also known as male breast reduction surgery. It is performed through a combination of two techniques: liposuction and gland excision.
When the breast glandular tissues grow in males due to any reason, adipose tissues (fat) also start to accumulate in that region. Thus, both types of tissues need to be removed during the surgery to deliver the best results.
Liposuction is used to remove the fat tissues from the targeted area. Once the fat tissues are removed, the surgeon will excise the glandular tissues precisely without harming the surrounding muscles, nerves, and other organs.
The entire surgery takes place under anesthesia (local or general) within 1-2 hours. And the patient gets discharged on the same day.
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What are the Risks Associated with Gynecomastia Surgery?
It is not a surprise that all surgical procedures have some kind of risks associated with it. The same goes for gynecomastia surgery. Though complications are rare, the potential risks of having the surgery include:
- Blood clots
- Excessive bleeding
- Numbness or sensitivity in the nipples
- Infection
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Asymmetrical breasts
- Unappealing changes in the size and shape of the chest
Patients who undergo gynecomastia surgery normally expect bruising, swelling, and post-surgery pain. Thus, the doctor always provides instructions, including the dos and don’ts after surgery to ensure that recovery is quick and smooth.
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What Should be Done to Prepare for Gynecomastia Surgery?
During the initial consultations, the doctor will provide you with instructions to prepare you mentally and physically for the surgery. The instructions will include the following tips:
Stop smoking a month before undergoing gynecomastia surgery as smoking can compromise the body’s healing abilities.
- Avoid drinking completely or drink in moderation.
- Limit your sugar intake and increase the intake of healthy fruits and vegetables.
- Start doing cardio exercises at least 3 times a week.
- Practice resistance work with balls, weights, or bands.
- Stop taking medications like aspirin and other blood thinners as it will increase the risk of bleeding.
By following these tips, you will improve your overall health that will further make it easier for the surgeon to operate with minimal risks.
4: How Long Does Recovery Take?
The time needed for recovery depends on the patient’s healing abilities and dedication towards following the doctor’s instructions.
In most cases, the doctor will have to excise the breast glandular tissues which require making incisions around the areola. After the surgical removal, you will need around 2 to 4 weeks to ensure that your body heals properly. Only then you will be able to tolerate routine activities without any lingering pain.
Though you can perform normal activities like walking, climbing, sitting, and get back to work within 7-10 days. But if you wish to exercise and engage in strenuous activities (including lifting heavy weights), you will need to wait at least one month.
5: Understand What Causes Gynecomastia
Though most of the glandular tissues are removed during male breast reduction surgery, a small amount of tissues are left behind. Therefore, there is a minor possibility that the breast tissues will grow again.
To prevent this from happening, it is crucial that you understand what causes gynecomastia in the first place. Hormonal fluctuations are the primary cause of the development of breast tissues. And the hormone levels can change due to a wide variety of factors, even due to medications or with the use of recreational drugs like marijuana.
You might not even know this but you may increase your chances of having gynecomastia unknowingly by taking certain medicines or not eating properly. Therefore, you should be aware of the causes of gynecomastia.
6: How Much Does Gynecomastia Surgery Cost?
One thing you most certainly need to know beforehand is the cost of the entire treatment. Normally, during the consultation, the doctor performs a physical examination and suggests some tests to confirm that the growing breast tissues are not harmful.
After diagnosis, the doctor will give you an estimate of the gynecomastia surgery cost. On average, the treatment will cost you around Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 60,000 approximately. The doctor will also explain the factors that will impact the final cost of treatment as well for better understanding.
Talk To An Expert Gynecomastia Doctor Today
Gynecomastia is a condition that has both physical and mental impacts on an individual. Therefore, aside from needing surgical treatment, you will also need mental and emotional support. This is only possible when you have a reliable and experienced doctor beside you.
Gynecomastia surgery will most certainly alleviate your discomfort and resolve the challenges that you may face due to the large size of breast tissues. But you also need to keep realistic expectations from the procedure. To have a deeper and clear understanding of the procedure, you should talk to an expert gynecomastia doctor and put forth all your doubts and concerns so that the experts can resolve them properly.
Fortunately, there are several healthcare providers across India who provide advanced treatment for gynecomastia. One of those leading healthcare providers is Pristyn Care. You can get in touch with them and consult the best plastic surgeons of India to learn all about gynecomastia surgery.
