Gynecomastia is a known medical condition which causes men to have abnormal breast enlargement and growth - sometimes in just one breast and sometimes in both. The actual condition tends to affect young boys going through puberty, and elderly men - because hormones tend to be out of balance in both stages of life.

When true Gynecomastia is happening to boys or men, there is about one and a half inches of area just under the nipple that tends to swell. It’s often tender in this area as well, and sometimes even milk can be secreted.

The problem often goes away unaided on it’s own, within 1-3 years. Sometimes however, Gynecomastia is caused due to the man using certain drugs which can cause the problem. It’s a rare side effect of the drugs, but men can usually get rid of Gynecomastia by simply changing the types of drugs they’re taking, or using alternatives.

Recreational drugs such as marijuana and alcohol are known to cause Gynecomastia in rare cases for instance, so you can get rid of the condition sometimes by simply stopping use of these.

If you’re taking certain prescription drugs however, such as anything which produces extra estrogen, steroids, certain Cardiovascular drugs, and ulcer treatments such as Tagamet, Prilosec, and Zantac - speak to your doctor or medical care provider about using alternatives. You can usually get rid of Gynecomastia problems by simply stopping the use of those medications, or changing to different kinds.

Now Gynecomastia is also referred to as “man boobs”, and more often than not that particular problem is actually caused by weight gain and obesity. This is not true Gynecomastia though, instead this condition is known as Pseudogynecomastia: a.k.a. False Gynecomastia.

When a man has what appears to be “boobs” on his chest from simple weight gain, it’s fairly quick and easy to get rid of if you’re willing to put in a bit of work. You can’t simply get rid of Gynecomastia or Pseudogynecomastia just by building up your chest muscles though. In fact, you can make the problem more evident by building up the muscles.

Since the fat and glands which are making your boobs appear large sit between the muscles and your skin, building up the underlying muscles will simply push the “boobs” out further.

When the Gynecomastia is actually the false variety caused by extra fat on the body, the best way to get rid of it is to start a fat burning routine. You will burn additional fat by toning up your muscles, but you’ll need to choose a diet and exercise plan which is specifically designed to help burn excess fat from your body, then get started with it. With a bit of dedication and commitment, you’ll find yourself easily able to get rid of the Gynecomastia within just three to six weeks.

It’s not easy for most of us to simply burn the extra fat from our bodies though, so if this is something you’ve tried unsuccessfully -or you want a quicker way to solve the problem - there is one other option for getting rid of either Pseudo or Standard Gynecomastia: Cosmetic surgery.

A simple cosmetic surgery procedure from a qualified plastic surgeon can remove the extra fat and tissue on your chest area, effectively removing the “boobs” that are so embarrassing and bothersome.

By: Diane Crawford

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Kansieo.com

Gynecomastia is a procedure that can easily be performed under local anesthesia in male breast reduction cases. Some men do like the added benefits of sedation along with local anesthesia for male breast reduction. In fact, it is very rare to have general anesthesia for gynecomastia surgery. The type of anesthesia that will be recommended for gynecomastia depends upon a variety of factors, including:

• Patient’s desire for the type of anesthesia to be used for gynecomastia.

• Medical conditions that might present a higher risk.

• Patient comfort, particularly in the case of adolescents whereby local anesthesia and sedation may be the better choice should they become restless during the male breast reduction procedure.

• The severity of the gynecomastia condition and level of surgery required to produce optimal results. When the case is severe, it may be more likely to have local anesthesia and sedation.

Local Anesthesia and Sedation for Gynecomastia

Local anesthesia is administered at the surgical site through an injection. In addition, local anesthesia in the form of lidocaine is injected into the treatment area while the gynecomastia procedure is being performed. This is usually all that is needed to have gynecomastia surgery. In some cases, sedation may also be administered and may be in the form of inhalation, oral, or intravenous. This combination allows the patient to be in a semi-conscious state. It is also sometimes referred to as twilight sedation whereby the patient may not be fully aware of surroundings and may fall asleep. Male breast reduction patients utilizing the local anesthesia alone or the combination of local anesthesia and sedation have a reduced amount of recovery and may not have as many post operative symptoms to manage as when performed under general anesthesia. In addition, the procedure is simple enough and less invasive than most plastic surgery procedures so general anesthesia is not warranted. In fact, there are greater risks associated with general anesthesia when compared to the local anesthesia or local anesthesia and sedation combination.

Selecting a Plastic Surgeon for Gynecomastia

The risk for complications in gynecomastia is very low overall, particularly when performed by a board certified plastic surgeon, board certified anesthesiologist and in a fully accredited facility. For example, Dr. Blau has been a board certified plastic surgeon for more than twenty years. He employs a staff of board certified anesthesiologists and his Westchester New York plastic surgery facility is fully accredited by The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations which is the governing body that oversees accreditation standards for hospitals.

Tips for Reducing Complications from Anesthesia

There are several considerations that will be reviewed at the time of consultation for gynecomastia, including the disclosure of critical information that can reduce the risk of complications, such as:

• The types of medications that are being taken prior to the procedure such as steroids, marijuana, prescribed medications, over-the-counter drugs and natural healing remedies.

• Medical conditions

• Level of anxiety about the procedure

• Risk of adverse effects that were discovered by the patient when under anesthesia previously.

Male breast reduction patients can rest assured that every precaution will be taken to avoid complications at Dr. Blau’s plastic surgery practice. In fact, the time that is required for anesthesia in the case of gynecomastia is relatively low, especially when compared with other plastic surgery procedures. Regardless of the choice made for the type of anesthesia, the results of the gynecomastia procedure are well received by Dr. Blau’s male breast reduction patients.

By: Marcia Henin

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Gynecomastia is a medical term that comes from the Greek words for “women-like breast.” Gynecomastia is actually quite common and may affect only one breast or both. There is no known cause in the vast majority of cases, and surgery is the only known physical remedy. In cases of obesity, weight loss can alter the gynecomastia condition, but for many it will not eliminate it.

Gynecomastia can be emotionally devastating. A man or boy with gynecomastia struggles with anxiety over such simple acts as taking off his shirt at the beach. For men who feel self-conscious about their appearance, breast-reduction surgery can help. The procedure removes fat and or glandular tissue from the breast and in extreme cases removes excess skin, resulting in a chest that is flatter, firmer, and better contoured.

The Procedure

Gynecomastia can be performed under general anesthesia or under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation and takes between 1 and 2 hours. Reduction of breast volume can many times be accomplished with ultrasound assisted liposuction. In some cases, a small incision may need to be made in order to remove tissue directly. In rare cases, skin may be removed from around the areola.

Recovery

Initial recovery time is from 7 to 10 days. The complete recovery time is from 4 to 6 weeks. This means no heavy exercise such as lifting weights, vigorous workouts at the gym, or any other strenuous activity. It may take at least 6 months to a year for the final results.

Results

After surgery, your chest will be flatter, firmer, and better contoured. The results of the procedure are significant and permanent, if a stable weight is maintained. If your expectations are realistic, chances are good that you’ll be very satisfied with your new look.

By: Dave Stringham

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