As a response to the development of gynecomastia, some doctors will recommend male breast reduction to their patients. What is gynecomastia (sometimes called gyno in circles where the condition is discussed casually)? It is the development of female-associated breast tissue in men, something that can be brought about at any age for a variety of reasons. It is not to be confused with men who simply tend to store fat in their chest, although this can be addressed with surgery as well. While no man wants to be told he needs surgery to treat the problem, it may be the best and only way to bring a permanent end to the condition.
Characterizations of Gynecomastia
Before you can decide whether or not male breast reduction is right for you, you need to first determine if you are really suffering from gyno. Obviously, this is best done with the aid of a doctor, but you can make some preliminary determinations on your own. The condition is characterized by a few common symptoms. The first is an excess of local fat. This is easier to see visually in someone who is thin in the first place. Glandular enlargement is another common sign, which can be felt under the armpits. A combination of both of these is a likely sign that you have gynecomastia.
Good Candidates
To determine whether or not you are a good candidate for male breast reduction, your doctor will first look for the presence of gynecomastia. Once it has been determined that it is present, some options will likely be discussed. There are alternatives to surgery, although they are not as reliable. If you want to move forward with the procedure, the doctor will want you to be at a normal weight, in good health, and with some stabilization of the chest tissue growth. In other words, it makes little sense to do the procedure if it will continue to grow afterwards.
The Surgical Option
You may be wondering what separates those patients for whom male breast reduction is considered the best option from those for whom alternative treatments (including doing nothing) is more appropriate. Doctors will often recommend surgery for those men whose condition is not going to get better through other methods of treatment. They will also look for men who are not on drugs or have at least stopped using any drugs that may have led to the development of gyno in the first place. In many cases, though, the decision will be left with the patient.
Characterizations of Gynecomastia
Before you can decide whether or not male breast reduction is right for you, you need to first determine if you are really suffering from gyno. Obviously, this is best done with the aid of a doctor, but you can make some preliminary determinations on your own. The condition is characterized by a few common symptoms. The first is an excess of local fat. This is easier to see visually in someone who is thin in the first place. Glandular enlargement is another common sign, which can be felt under the armpits. A combination of both of these is a likely sign that you have gynecomastia.
Good Candidates
To determine whether or not you are a good candidate for male breast reduction, your doctor will first look for the presence of gynecomastia. Once it has been determined that it is present, some options will likely be discussed. There are alternatives to surgery, although they are not as reliable. If you want to move forward with the procedure, the doctor will want you to be at a normal weight, in good health, and with some stabilization of the chest tissue growth. In other words, it makes little sense to do the procedure if it will continue to grow afterwards.
The Surgical Option
You may be wondering what separates those patients for whom male breast reduction is considered the best option from those for whom alternative treatments (including doing nothing) is more appropriate. Doctors will often recommend surgery for those men whose condition is not going to get better through other methods of treatment. They will also look for men who are not on drugs or have at least stopped using any drugs that may have led to the development of gyno in the first place. In many cases, though, the decision will be left with the patient.
