Gynaecomastia
Gynaecomastia
Gynaecomastia, characterized by enlarged breasts in men, prompts the need for surgical intervention to reduce breast size and achieve a more contoured chest appearance.
Indications
Enlarged breasts in men, known as gynaecomastia, can manifest at any stage of life and may stem from various factors including genetics, hormonal changes, hereditary predispositions, obesity, or medication side effects. This condition often leads to emotional distress and diminishes self-confidence, prompting affected individuals to shy away from physical activities and intimate interactions to conceal their gynaecomastia.
Candidates for gynaecomastia surgery typically include healthy individuals without underlying medical conditions that hinder wound healing, non-smokers, men within a relatively normal weight range, and those whose breast development has stabilized. Adolescents may also benefit from gynaecomastia surgery; however, ongoing follow-up procedures may be necessary if breast development persists.
Procedure
Gynaecomastia surgery, or male breast reduction, is performed under general anaesthesia. Dr. Tjasink employs liposuction if the excess breast tissue is predominantly fatty with minimal skin redundancy. Alternatively, an incision is made around the nipple to remove breast tissue in cases where skin excess is present. Repositioning of the nipples may be necessary to correct sagging. Incisions are strategically placed to minimize visibility. The procedure typically lasts approximately 2 hours.
Following surgery, dressings are applied to the incisions, and patients are fitted with an elastic support garment to reduce swelling and support the chest contour during the healing process.
Recovery
Depending on the extent of the procedure, most patients may require an overnight hospital stay. Swelling and bruising are common postoperative effects, managed with pain medications prescribed by Dr. Tjasink. Patients are instructed to wear the support garment continuously for six weeks to optimize healing. Return to work or school is typically possible within a week after surgery, although heavy lifting and strenuous activities should be avoided for six weeks postoperatively.
As healing progresses, swelling diminishes, and incision lines gradually fade