Gynecomastia is a condition that affects both men and boys. The breasts swell and grow excessively big as a result of this condition. Males and females both have breast glands, but males’ are less apparent.
Males of all ages, including infants, teenagers, and elderly adults, can have breast gland enlargement. Gynecomastia is caused by an increase in breast tissue rather than fat. Exercising or reducing weight will not reduce gynecomastia breast tissue.
Pseudo-gynecomastia is a different condition in which fat accumulates in the breasts due to being overweight or obese.
Sign and Symptoms
Gynecomastia is usually not a major issue. Swelling and pain in the breast gland tissue of one or both breasts are common symptoms. It may begin as a lump or fatty tissue around the nipples of a person. The lumps will most likely form unevenly.
People should see a surgeon if they have unusual and persistent swelling, discomfort, nipple discharge, or a combination of these symptoms. Opt only for the best plastic surgeon in Mumbai or your respective city.
Diagnosing Gynecomastia
The doctor will inquire about the patient’s symptoms, medical and pharmacological history, and family history. A physical examination of the breast tissue will be performed, which may also include the genitals and abdomen. It is recommended to reach out to an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Siddharth Prakash, a renowned Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon practicing at Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai. He is arguably the best plastic surgeon in Mumbai.
If the cause appears to be a hormonal imbalance, the doctor may advise that the problem should go away on its own.
A biopsy or blood test may rule out breast cancer if the lump is big, painful, or one-sided.
Additional tests will be performed to rule out other possible causes, such as:
- Cyst
- Furuncle or abscess
- Mastitis (a condition in which the breast tissue becomes inflamed)
- A malignancy that has spread from another part of the body is called a metastasis
Fat necrosis, or a lump caused by fatty breast tissue deterioration
In addition, the doctor may request imaging tests such as:
- Breast ultrasounds or mammograms
- X-rays of the chest
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
- Ultrasounds of the testicles
- Fat vs. Gynecomastia
A person who is obese or overweight will have fat all over their body. Men may get larger breasts as a result of obesity. However, unlike Gynecomastia, this expansion is caused by fat rather than tissue growth.
Surgery for Gynecomastia
The breast comprises glandular tissue that is tight and dense, as well as fatty tissue that is compatible and softer.
The proportion of glandular to fatty tissue in the breasts varies from person to person. Gynecomastia is a condition in which a man has too much of both types of tissue.
Excess fatty tissue can be removed using liposuction. A tiny tube is inserted through an incision in the skin. Excision is a surgical procedure that removes excess glandular tissue by cutting it out with a knife. This usually results in a scar around the nipple’s edge.
If a significant amount of tissue and skin must be removed, the incision and scar will be more effective.
The chest will be bruised and swelled after surgery, and the patient may need to wear an elastic pressure garment to minimize swelling.
People usually return to their regular schedule after around six weeks. Surgery-related complications are uncommon. Inadequate breast tissue removal, an uneven chest contour, and diminished sensation in one or both nipples are among them.
Excision may result in blood clot formation, which may necessitate draining.
