ArticlesThe decision to seek surgical treatment of gynecomastia (enlarged male breast development) is not an easy step, yet it is has quite significant positive impact to a man's life at whatever age it is made. I write this both as a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who treats over one hundred men each year for this condition and as a patient, having the correction done myself in 2004. Gynecomastia can cause significant embarrassment and emotional stress. It results in men (both adolescents and adults) avoiding certain clothing, various sports in school, some social settings, swimming, going to the beach or on vacation, adult sport activities and fitness workouts, and intimate interaction. Many of my patients avoid ever being shirtless in public of even within the privacy of their own homes. All of this leads to confidence and self esteem issues at the very least. Quite often the treatment of gynecomastia does not receive the attention that other plastic surgery procedures do, most likely because of the embarrassment associated with it. This is unfortunate, given that gynecomastia is very treatable and very common. My treatment of gynecomastia is based in a comprehensive approach without shortcuts and with upmost attention to safety, confidentiality and compassion. I address the complete breast and chest contour with treatment of the fibrous glandular tissue as well as the associated adipose (fatty) tissue often but not always present. In addition, the degree of skin laxity and areolar enlargement are evaluated and treated at the appropriate time as needed. The surgery is performed with a minimally invasive approach, using the most advanced ultrasonic technology and micro-extraction techniques for glandular emulsion and removal. Open resection of resistant glandular tissue through a small periareolar incision is only necessary in a very limited subset of my patients. Recovery is relatively fast, and our patients usually return to work or school in a few days. The impact to our patients' lives and self esteem is typically dramatic, rapid and lasting, achieving a natural chest appearance with minimal scarring. This is what has made Gynecomastia surgery so very rewarding for me over the last decade. I look forward to meeting each new patient with Gynecomastia and helping him eliminate this secret burden, no matter how major or minor it is. Dr. Brian Vassar Heil, MD, FACS |
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