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Many men develop gynecomastia at some point in their lives. This is the medical name for enlarged male breasts, often called “man boobs“. It’s more common than people think.
There are different reasons why gynecomastia happens, and there isn’t always a clear cause. It is mostly linked to changes in hormone levels, especially when there is too much oestrogen in the body, which can cause extra breast tissue to grow.
It is more common during puberty because of the changes in hormone levels during this time. Most of the time, it settles on its own, but for some men it continues into adulthood. It can also happen again at a later stage in life, especially in men over 50, due to age-related hormonal changes.
Gynecomastia can affect any man, regardless of age, height, weight, or fitness level. Even very fit men, including bodybuilders, can develop it.
Gynecomastia and Exercise: Clearing Up Some Common Myths
There are many myths about gynecomastia and exercise, so it’s important to understand the facts.
One common myth is that fit or muscular men cannot develop gynecomastia. This is not true. Even men who are in excellent shape, including bodybuilders and regular gym-goers, can develop the condition.
Another misunderstanding is that exercise or weight training causes gynecomastia. In reality, weight training does not cause breast tissue to grow. Gynecomastia affects the breast tissue, not the chest muscles. It develops due to excess glandular or fat tissue, or a combination of both, in the chest area.
Although exercise itself does not cause gynecomastia, anabolic steroids and certain muscle-building substances can increase the risk because they affect hormone levels. For this reason, it is always recommended to build muscle naturally and avoid using steroids.
There is also a common belief that intense exercise can get rid of gynecomastia. Unfortunately, this is usually not the case; building larger chest muscles can sometimes make the breast tissue appear even more noticeable. Once gynecomastia has developed, exercise alone cannot remove the excess breast tissue. This is because gynecomastia is not simply caused by excess weight. While exercise can help reduce overall body fat and improve the appearance of the chest in some men, it cannot remove the breast tissue itself. In many cases, surgery is the most effective treatment option.
Gynecomastia Surgery: What You Need to Know About Male Breast Reduction Procedures
Gynecomastia can be a source of considerable emotional distress for many men. Whether it makes you feel self-conscious, limits your wardrobe choices, or affects your personal relationships, it’s a condition that can significantly impact your daily life. The good news is that gynecomastia is treatable through surgery, and the procedure is relatively straightforward. When performed by skilled surgeons, the scarring is often minimal.
At Centre for Surgery, our surgeons can use a technique for treating gynecomastia via a small incision on the side of the chest rather than around the nipple area, for suitable cases. This approach can result in less visible scarring than a periareolar incision.
Gyno Surgical Procedure Detailed
During surgery, the approach depends on the cause of the gynecomastia: if there is extra glandular (breast) tissue, it is removed through a small incision; if there is excess fat, it is usually removed using liposuction. Both power-assisted liposuction and VASER liposuction are available: VASER uses ultrasound energy to loosen fat before it is removed, which suits the dense, fibrous tissue of the male chest, and your surgeon will advise which is right for you.
In more severe cases, where removing the tissue would leave loose or sagging skin, surgeons may also remove or tighten the skin to improve the chest shape.
The procedure usually takes one to three hours, depending on the grade and the techniques involved, and most people need about a week off desk-based work. It is also important to avoid heavy exercise, bodybuilding, and other strenuous activities for at least 6 weeks to allow the area to heal fully.
Consultation is Key
If you think you may have gynecomastia, the first step is to see a specialist for a proper diagnosis. An in-person consultation is important because it allows a surgeon to assess your condition, review your medical history, and give advice that is specific to you.
Why Choose Centre for Surgery for Your Gynecomastia Surgery?
Choosing the right clinic is important for achieving a good result and having a smooth experience.
Modern surgical techniques
Our surgeons can use a discreet, side-of-chest incision technique for suitable cases, alongside conventional periareolar approaches, and will discuss which is appropriate for your anatomy.
Detailed consultation process
A thorough face-to-face consultation with a specialist plastic surgeon is a key part of the process. This ensures your medical history, concerns, and expectations are fully understood. From this, a personalised treatment plan is created to suit your individual needs.
Transparent Pricing
After your consultation you receive a written, personalised quote covering your surgeon, anaesthetist, theatre and day-suite care, and follow-up appointments. Your compression vest and post-operative medication are purchased separately, and histology on any tissue sent for analysis is charged separately.
Aftercare
Your journey doesn’t end after the surgery. We provide an aftercare programme to monitor your recovery and offer further support, helping you achieve good results.
Read More on Our Blog
For further insights on gynecomastia and other plastic surgery topics, visit our informative plastic surgery blog: Centre for Surgery Blog.
Book Your Consultation Today
Don’t let gynecomastia continue to affect your quality of life. Reach out to us today to start your journey towards a more confident you.
- Phone: 020 7993 4849
- Email: contact@centreforsurgery.com
- Address: 95-97 Baker Street, London W1U 6RN
Centre for Surgery is a CQC-regulated cosmetic surgery clinic, committed to ensuring you receive attentive care from consultation through to recovery.
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