Gynecomastia:
Plastic surgery aimed at
correcting male breast
enlargement

know more about
this procedure

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Gynecomastia is a change in the male breast that causes it to enlarge abnormally. Although gynecomastia does not pose any risk to a man’s physical health, this alteration can cause serious damage to his mental health. Men with gynecomastia can develop complexes and condition their social life, avoiding simple activities such as playing sports or going to the beach.

In cases where there is an abnormal breast enlargement, it is essential to understand whether gynecomastia actually exists, or whether we are dealing with the so-called pseudogynecomastia or false gynecomastia.

False gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia occurs when there is excess fat accumulated around the mammary gland. As there is no abnormal breast enlargement, only excess fat, there is no gynecomastia. In these cases the treatment is quite simple and involves liposuction of the area.

When there is an abnormal development of breast tissue that becomes visible or palpable, the solution is a surgical intervention that consists of removing the breast tissue. This surgery can be associated with liposuction, if there is also surrounding fat.

The diagnosis between the two types of gynecomastia is made through clinical examination and ultrasound.

Surgical treatment - Gynecomastia

About 80% of the men who refer chest changes only have excess fat in the area and, therefore, the solution is liposuction. In these cases, an incision of less than one centimeter is made in the armpit to introduce a cannula through which all the fat accumulated in the chest area is aspirated.

In cases of gynecomastia, the objective is to eliminate the glandular tissue that is located between the nipple and the pectoral muscle. In these cases, an incision is made around the middle of the nipple or through the armpit to remove the enlarged mammary gland, and in some cases, liposuction can also be used to remove some of the surrounding fat.

In both cases there is high patient satisfaction, as the scars are completely imperceptible and small and the results are completely effective. And in addition to the physical results, there are also improvements in mental health since, as a rule, the patient stops having complexes and goes back to playing sports and going to the beach or pool calmly.

Gynecomastia : What else you need to know about the surgery

If the enlarged mammary gland or just the excess fat is removed, the surgery is performed under general anesthesia or sedation. Liposuction takes approximately 30 minutes to be performed and Gynecomastia lasts approximately 2 hours.

In this type of surgery, the appearance of hematomas, ecchymoses (bruises) or swelling in the postoperative period is very common, which is why elastic compression of the area is mandatory immediately after surgery and for 1 month. The drains are removed on the 2nd postoperative day, when the lymphatic drainage begins, which lasts the time necessary for the total recovery of the area.

After 4 days of surgery, you will be able to resume your normal social and work life, however you will only be able to resume physical exercise and efforts after 1 month.

Finally, as in all interventions, prior medical examinations are mandatory to detect problems that may prevent the surgery from being carried out, with a prior breast ultrasound being of utmost importance.

Before and after
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Imagem - Clinica Baptista
Imagem - Clinica Baptista
Duration of surgery

30 minutes to 2 hours

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Type of anesthesia

General or Sedation

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Hospitalization period

None

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Low period

4 days

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Period without sun exposure

1 month

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Period without physical exercise

1 month

Common questions

The cost of the surgery will depend on numerous factors, especially if there is just excess fat, excess mammary gland or both. In the case of pseudogynecomastia, it is also necessary to evaluate the extent of liposuction, which will depend on the volume of localized fat. Therefore, to obtain a personalized quote, it is essential to carry out an evaluation consultation.

Changes in the male chest can appear at any age, but most cases are identified in adolescence. In this sense, the surgery can be performed before the age of 18, subject to medical evaluation.

Gynecomastia is not exactly a disease and, therefore, we cannot speak of a cure. The most effective solution is surgical treatment.

A recuperação, por norma, não é dolorosa, mas o paciente pode sentir desconforto e dor moderada que é tratada com medicação. Geralmente, a recuperação demora cerca de 2 semanas.

Recovery is usually not painful, but the patient may experience mild discomfort and pain that is treated with medication. Recovery usually takes about 2 weeks.

Results are visible immediately after surgery. However, the patient will have to wear a surgical bandage for a few days and therefore will only be able to see results after that period.

If you've had liposuction, you shouldn't gain chest fat again. However, if only the excess mammary gland was removed, fat may accumulate in the area again if you gain a lot of weight after surgery.

The doctors

Under the direction of plastic surgeons Dr. Fátima Baptista Fernandes and Dr. João Baptista Fernandes, an unavoidable nickname in the specialty in Portugal, the Clinic integrates a team of specialists from the most diverse areas who offer numerous skills related to aesthetic medicine, aesthetic treatments and plastic surgery.

Dr. João Baptista
Fernandes
Dra. Fátima Baptista
Fernandes
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