At Centre for Surgery, our plastic surgeons have been carrying out gynaecomastia surgery in London for a number of years now and we carry out quite a lot of these types of male breast reduction procedures. If you’ve never heard of gynaecomastia or were even aware that there is an effective procedure for its correction then we thought the best solution is to give you the full lowdown on this condition and its treatment.
What is gynaecomastia?
Gynaecomastia is a condition of the breast that affects a significant number of men. It has been estimated that between 40 to 60% of men will develop a degree of gynaecomastia at some point in their lifetime. Gynaecomastia refers to when the breast tissue becomes overdeveloped in someway and for which there is no known cause. Gynaecomastia itself it’s not thought to be linked with being overweight or having a hormonal imbalance.
As many men discover, having a good diet and exercising regularly does not lead to a cure of gynaecomastia. In many cases, undertaking more vigourous exercise and building muscle makes the condition appear even more obvious as the underlying increased pectoral muscle bulk causes the excess breast tissue to appear even bigger than usual.
From our experience, gynaecomastia can have a major impact on men’s lives. Our surgeons have met men who have been socially crippled by the condition with an inability to expose their chest and therefore be unable to go on sunny beach holidays. They will often wear loosefitting clothing to avoid the chest appearing more prominent and it can have a major impact on personal relationships.
Fortunately there is a very effective treatment for gynaecomastia in the form of surgery. There are no known non-surgical treatments for gynaecomastia which have been shown to be effective.
What is the best technique for gynaecomastia surgery?
The traditional method for removing excess male breast tissue involved making a large incision across the whole chest. Unfortunately the scar that was left after surgery often compounded the original problem leading to a further reduction in body confidence with many men being unable to remove their shirts on the beach.
Over time and with advances in plastic surgery techniques, or surgeons are experts in minimally invasive approaches for the treatment of gynaecomastia. The current techniques our surgeons use minimise visible scarring and with more natural looking results. Often the very small incisions that are used are on the side of the chest and around half of the nipple and is barely visible over time. The principle of treatment for gynaecomastia involves a combination of liposuction and gland excision for full correction. Through a tiny peri-areolar incision, the surgeon is able to directly remove all of the extra glandular tissue under direct vision. Long-term results often give rise to a very natural looking appearance that does not appear overdone and often without any signs of surgery whatsoever.
Surgery for gynaecomastia is a highly satisfying procedure for our plastic surgeons as the treatment really can transform men’s lives. Our surgeons are at the forefront of pioneering new and less invasive techniques for gynaecomastia and were one of the first clinics in London to use BodyTite for minimally invasive skin tightening of the male chest. Our surgeons regularly share their skills and experience with visiting surgeons from all over the world as well as presenting their research at international conferences on the latest surgical techniques for gynaecomastia.
If you’d like to learn more about how we can transform your life, get in touch with one of our experienced and knowledgeable patient care coordinators to book a consultation with an expert plastic surgeon at Centre for Surgery in London.
