Male breast enlargement or man boobs, known medically as gynecomastia, is far more common than many people realize. According to estimates from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), as much as 40% of American men will experience some form of gynecomastia in their lifetime. Although there are a number of known lifestyle and medical factors that can lead to gynecomastia, many cases stem from unknown sources, which is why I receive so many questions about this condition and how it can be treated. That’s why I’ve taken a moment to answer some of the more common questions about gynecomastia:
Question1: I underwent male breast reduction surgery 2 weeks ago. I have noticed some healing, but my chest is still puffy and bruised. Is this normal?
A.) This is pretty normal. Bruising and swelling can increase slightly after the removal of any tape or dressing following male breast reduction. Post-surgery bruising will typically decrease over a 3-4 week period, but it could as long as 6 weeks for certain patients. Most swelling will normally be gone within 3-4 weeks, though some patients will need between 6-9 weeks for it to disappear completely. I recommend all male breast reduction patients wear a compression garment to help reduce swelling and speed up the healing process.
Question 2: Can I combat my Gynecomastia with rigorous chest exercises?
A.) Unfortunately not. Though chest exercises may be able to help certain patients who are overweight, gynecomastia for many men is caused by several different factors including excess glandular tissue that results from changes during puberty, steroid use, marijuana use or other hormonal shifts. That is why diet and exercise can only do so much to reduce male breast enlargement in most gynecomastia patients. Male breast reduction results offer improvements that even the most rigorous exercise routine simply cannot.
Question 3: Is a compression garment required after my male breast reduction?
A.) As I stated above, wearing a compression garment following surgery for gynecomastia is highly recommended. Compression helps to prevent the wounds under the skin from accumulating fluid while also holding tissue in place during healing. If fluid builds up or the tissue becomes displaced as a result of not wearing a compression garment, you will take longer to heal and your surgery results can be greatly compromised.
The first step towards successfully treating gynecomastia is determining the root cause of your breast enlargement problem. The sooner you understand the cause of your condition, the sooner you can consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon (like myself) to discuss the possibility of male breast reduction surgery. For more information or to schedule your complimentary plastic surgery consultation today, please contact Dr. David Whiteman at Southern Plastic Surgery today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for more tips, news and updates.