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Gynecomatia
(correction of male breast excess)
From the greek words for "womanlike"
breasts, gynecomastia is a condition affecting an estimated 40 to
60 percent of men. Because men have such small amounts of breast
tissue, most of us rarely give a man's breasts a thought -unless
there is something wrong, as in the case of gynecomastia or male
breast enlargement.
Breasts, female or male, are primarily
composed of fat and glandular tissue, the development of which is
governed by hormones. Excessive breast development can be psychologically
debilitating at any age, but especially in the teen years, when
body image is so important to one's identity. Gynecomastia may be
the reason behind difficulty at school and antisocial behavior,
and isolation.
When gynecomastia persists in adulthood,
the psychological scars are no less significant. There is a reluctance
to participate in any activity in which the chest would be exposed
and clothing is used to disguise the condition.
THE PROCEDURE
There are two basic approaches to
gynecomastia correction, both of which are done as outpatient procedures
with local anesthesia and sedation. Which method is used depends
upon the ratio of fat to glandular tissue.
When the breast is composed primarily
of fat(the vast majority of cases)
liposuction, is the procedure of choice. The technique used is similar
to the one described for liposuction in general, and the liposuction
is carried out inserting a canula through a small incision at the
bottom of the areola. This technique gives excellent results on
this specific deformity.
In the infrequent instances where the breast is composed largely
of glandular tissue, direct excision is combined with the liposuction
technique. Dense glandular tissue is not aspirated as easily as
fat through a suction canula and needs to be removed using a 2-3
inch incision, which is located usually under the areola.
A compression garment is applied after
the procedure is finished.
POST OPERATORY
After this surgery you might feel
a little bruised and sore as if you would
have over exercised that part of the body. Some swelling is expected,
which commonly peaks at three to four days and disappears within
four to six weeks.
You may return to work the next day
although some patients wait two to three days of rest to return
to their work. It is important to begin normal activity as soon
as possible. Also you will be recommended a medical massage therapy
starting on the next day after the operation. The support garment
should be worn for two to three weeks to diminish the possibility
of swelling, unevenness or waviness. Your results will be likely
visible almost immediately after surgery, but the full effect may
not be fully evident for four to six weeks after most of the swelling
has subsided. Patients are usually very please with the results
of the procedure with a more comfortable shape of the body and an
enhanced self-esteem.
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