Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is the medical term for breast development in men. In gynecomastia, one or two breasts are larger than normal. This condition generally involves excess glandular tissue, adipose tissue, or a combination of both. There are several causes for male breast formation, including a build-up of fatty tissue, a side effect of medication, a change in hormone production due to taking hormones, a reaction to metabolic changes or breast cancer. Gynecomastia is often seen in young men during puberty.

• Cosmetic treatment with short recovery time
• Remove breast formation in men (gynaecomastia)
• Our plastic surgeons are affiliated with the Dutch Societies for plastic surgery NVPC and NVEPC
• Both male and female BIG registered plastic surgeons
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Gynecomastia results

In general, the outcome of gynecomastia is predictable. It is important that you make your wishes clear to the plastic surgeon in advance. However, no full guarantee can be given on the aesthetic result. The scars that arise after the procedure when the glandular tissue is removed can initially look a bit fiery. After about a year, that fervor disappears, the scars take on the color of the skin and become less visible. Ultraviolet rays are not good for scars, so they can remain red for an unnecessarily long time. It is therefore best to keep the scars covered in the first months, this can be done with a sunblock.

Types of Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is another word for excessive breast development in men. There are several causes due to the development of excess breast tissue. There may be physical or non-physical breast formation.

Physical Breast Formation

When there is physical breast formation, it means that the glandular discs in the man's chest have not disappeared during childhood. Instead, they started growing during puberty and the hormone swing. This happens on one or both breasts. In most cases, this swelling is short-lived, but sometimes it is permanent. If the latter is the case, we surgically remove the swelling. Another physical cause is pseudo-gynecomastia. This means that it is not the mammary gland that is swollen, but that the swelling is caused by fat accumulation.

Non-physical breast formation

Breast formation can also arise from a non-physical cause. For example, think of:

• Drug side effects
• Change in metabolism
• Abnormality of the testicles
• Growths that produce hormones

If you have one of the above causes, the plastic surgeon will first investigate whether a gynecomastia correction is suitable for you. If the surgeon is in doubt, we advise you to perform a hormonal examination to check underlying diseases.

The first consultation

During the consultation prior to the treatment, you will discuss your complaints and wishes with the plastic surgeon. The surgeon then determines whether your wishes correspond to the technical possibility. You will also discuss which treatment method is suitable for you, the type of anesthesia and the risks and complications. It is important that the plastic surgeon gets a good picture of your overall health. That is why he asks you questions about your medical background. If you are taking medication or are allergic to, for example, iodine, anesthetic fluid or plasters, you must indicate this. There are a number of medicines that you must stop before the procedure. We advise you the following:

• Stop using blood-thinning medications a week in advance.
• You can take paracetamol before and after surgery to relieve the pain.

The surgery

Which treatment method is suitable for you depends on the type of breast formation. We perform two types of gynecomastia corrections, possibly in combination with the removal of excess skin:

• Removing glandular tissue
• Removing adipose tissue

Removing glandular tissue

Breast formation can be caused by an excess of glandular tissue. During the procedure, the plastic surgeon removes this by making a small incision on the underside of the areola. We remove the excess glandular tissue. The plastic surgeon does leave a small amount of glandular tissue under the nipple. This prevents a dimpled nipple. We close the incision with dissolvable sutures. When necessary, the plastic surgeon also removes the excess skin. Duration of treatment: one and a half hours Anesthetic: general anesthesia

Removing adipose tissue

Breast formation that has only arisen due to excess fatty tissue is removed by the plastic surgeon with liposuction. In this procedure, the plastic surgeon makes a small incision in an inconspicuous place. He removes the subcutaneous fatty tissue with the help of a suction tube. To make the fat cells come off more easily, the surgeon first injects a liquid. We then remove the excess fat with a thin hollow needle. We carefully tape the small cut created by the liposuction. Duration of treatment: one and a half hours Anesthetic: local anesthetic

In some cases, a combination of liposuction and removal of glandular tissue is necessary. To determine whether there is a gland or adipose tissue, in most cases additional examination by means of an ultrasound is necessary.

After the surgery

The gynecomastia procedure is a day case and when you have recovered sufficiently, you can go home the same day.

Removing the drains

During the procedure, we place drains that drain the blood and any wound fluid. When you go home, you will be given an appointment for the drains to be removed. This is usually the next day. If the plastic surgeon concludes that the collection bottles still contain too much fluid, we remove the drains a day later. After the drains have been removed, you will be given an appointment for a check-up at the outpatient clinic.

Pain relief

Immediately after the operation, you will be given medicine to relieve the pain. The pain that persists after a day is usually described as muscle pain. The area may feel sore and the pain can be treated with painkillers such as paracetamol. If the pain increases after the first week, we advise you to contact us.

The recovery period: what is allowed and what is not allowed

The recovery after gynecomastia treatment is different for everyone, because it depends on the type of breast correction and the response of your body.

The first week after the breast correction, the treatment area is swollen due to the bruising and the exudate. It is therefore very important that you take it easy this first week.

After the operation you will be put on an elastic corset over the bandage. The function of this corset is to prevent bruising and swelling, but also to allow the skin to grow back to the bottom layer.

Recovery time

Prices

It differs per person and situation whether the gynecomastia correction is reimbursed by the health insurance. If you have a medical indication, you will check with your insurer whether the treatment will be reimbursed. Interventions based on aesthetic reasons are always at your own expense.

Risks and Complications

The risk of complications from gynecomastia surgery is small. Nevertheless, it is important that you are aware of the fact that the risk of complications does exist. Some possible complications include:

Rare

• Emergence of bruising and swelling
• Occurrence of infections
• Origin of a post-bleeding
• Occurrence of an adverse reaction to the anaesthetic

Very rare

• Visible scars
• Permanent pigmentation of the scars
• Sensory disturbances in the nipple
• Asymmetry of the nipples

If unexpected problems arise such as an ignition, please contact us immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions